[2217] in Humor
HUMOR CLASSIC: MIT View of Life
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Sharalee M. Field)
Fri Jan 9 17:27:06 1998
Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 17:21:25 -0500
To: humor@MIT.EDU, mowu@MIT.EDU, mgshea@aol.com, wheger@wbc-architects.com,
Kris_Kelly@notes.pw.com, jbran18610@aol.com, dunbar@MIT.EDU,
dahv@MIT.EDU, jsquill@MIT.EDU, mtsai@bqa.com, immer@MIT.EDU,
Maryellen Fitzgibbon <mfitzgib@fas.harvard.edu>,
celia_kent@harvard.edu
From: "Sharalee M. Field" <sharalee_field@harvard.edu>
Just in case you were still relaxed after the holidays....
>>>>
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Date: Fri, 09 Jan 1998 17:14:48 -0500
To: sharalee_field@harvard.edu
From: "Sharalee M. Field" <<sharalee_field@harvard.edu>
Burnout Prevention and Recovery
1.STOP DENYING. Listen to the wisdom of your body. Begin to freely
admit the stresses and pressures which have manifested
physically, mentally, or emotionally.
MIT VIEW: Work until the physical pain forces you into
unconsciousness.
2.AVOID ISOLATION. Don't do everything alone! Develop or renew
intimacies with friends and loved ones. Closeness not only brings
new insights, but also is anathema to agitation and depression.
MIT VIEW: Shut your office door and lock it from the inside so
no one will distract you. They're just trying to hurt your
productivity.
3.CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. If your job, your relationship, a
situation, or a person is dragging you under, try to alter your
circumstance, or if necessary, leave.
MIT VIEW: If you feel something is dragging you down, suppress
these thoughts. This is a weakness. Drink more coffee.
4.DIMINISH INTENSITY IN YOUR LIFE. Pinpoint those areas or aspects
which summon up the most concentrated intensity and
work toward alleviating that pressure.
MIT VIEW: Increase intensity. Maximum intensity = maximum
productivity. If you find yourself relaxed and with your mind
wandering, you are probably having a detrimental effect on the
recovery rate.
5.STOP OVERNURTURING. If you routinely take on other people's problems
and responsibilities, learn to gracefully disengage. Try to
get some nurturing for yourself.
MIT VIEW: Always attempt to do everything. You ARE responsible
for it all. Perhaps you haven't thoroughly read your job
description.
6.LEARN TO SAY "NO". You'll help diminish intensity by speaking up for
yourself. This means refusing additional requests or demands
on your time or emotions.
MIT VIEW: Never say no to anything. It shows weakness, and
lowers the research volume. Never put off until tomorrow what
you can do at midnight.
7.BEGIN TO BACK OFF AND DETACH. Learn to delegate, not only at work,
but also at home and with friends. In this case,
detachment means rescuing yourself for yourself.
MIT VIEW: Delegating is a sign of weakness. If you want it done
right, do it yourself (see #5).
8.REASSESS YOUR VALUES. Try to sort out the meaningful values from the
temporary and fleeting, the essential from the nonessential.
You'll conserve energy and time, and begin to feel more centered.
MIT VIEW: Stop thinking about your own problems. This is
selfish. If your values change, we will make an announcement at the
Corporation meeting. Until then, if someone calls you and
questions your priorities, tell them that you are unable to comment on
this and give them the number for Community and Government
Relations. It will be taken care of.
9.LEARN TO PACE YOURSELF. Try to take life in moderation. You only
have so much energy available. Ascertain what is wanted
and needed in your life, then begin to balance work with love,
pleasure, and relaxation.
MIT VIEW: A balanced life is a myth perpetuated by liberal arts
schools. Don't be a fool: the only thing that matters is work and
productivity.
10.TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Don't skip meals, abuse yourself with rigid
diets, disregard your need for sleep, or break the doctor
appointments. Take care of yourself nutritionally.
MIT VIEW: Your body serves your mind, your mind serves the
Institute. Push the mind and the body will follow. Drink Mountain
Dew.
11.DIMINISH WORRY AND ANXIETY. Try to keep superstitious worrying to a
minimum - it changes nothing. You'll have a better grip
on your situation if you spend less time worrying and more time
taking care of your real needs.
MIT VIEW: If you're not worrying about work, you must not be
very committed to it. We'll find someone who is.
12.KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Begin to bring job and happy moments into
your life. Very few people suffer burnout when
they're having fun.
MIT VIEW: So, you think you work is funny? We'll discuss this
with your director on Friday, at 7:00 P.M.!
<color><param>8080,0000,8080</param>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharalee M. Field University Hall 11
Planning Analyst Cambridge, MA 02138
Faculty of Arts and Sciences 617.495.8257 (Voice)
Harvard University 617.495.7881 (Fax)
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<color><param>8080,0000,8080</param>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharalee M. Field University Hall 11
Planning Analyst Cambridge, MA 02138
Faculty of Arts and Sciences 617.495.8257 (Voice)
Harvard University 617.495.7881 (Fax)</color>
