Beat Retail Burnout
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Overcoming It
Fight burnout the healthy way. Here's how:
- Have realistic goals. Changing your goals doesn't always mean lowering your standards.
- Do your job or some part of it in a different way. Change your routine. For example, drive to work differently, wear a funny hat or necktie, conduct meetings differently, etc.
- If possible, negotiate with your manager for more variety or control over your tasks at work
- Look for humour in the workplace. Don't be cynical or sarcastic but appreciate how silly or absurd life and retail can be.
- Exercise. It doesn't have to be strenuous to reduce the effects of stress.
- Reward yourself. Rewards don't have to be expensive, but they must be a meaningful break from your routine.
- Do something every day that is not time or deadline-related and that benefits only you. Here are a few examples:
- Meditation or simply taking a contemplative few moments to yourself.
- Listening to or making music.
- Drawing or doodling.
- Reading something other than work reports.
- Doing puzzles, crosswords, etc.
- Daydreaming
- Step back and try to look at your job from an outsider's point of view. Imagine how others might handle your responsibilities.
- Focus on the positive. Try to eliminate words and phrases such as, "hate," "can't stand it," "no way," etc. Make a list of those negative words or phrases you use most often. Pay attention when you want to use them, and replace them with more neutral words or phases.
- If you're miserable where you are no matter what you do, a change of jobs may be in your best long-term interest. Sometimes just looking at other options can relieve some of the "I'm trapped!" feelings burnt-out retail professionals experience.
Don't Give Up
There is no "one size fits all" in relieving retail burnout. Not every strategy works equally well for everyone.
Remember, it's hard to change familiar attitudes and behaviours, even if they make you miserable or were imposed upon you by the job. Behaving or thinking differently can be awkward at first, and you may not notice any difference right away.
Essentially, overcoming burnout comes down to control. Can't control or change the environment (other people, work schedules, rewards, etc)? Can't (or won't) leave the environment? Then to fight burnout, you must take control of your attitude and behavior within that environment. Otherwise, you'll stay stuck and miserable.
