[708] in Humor
HUMOR: Burnout Prevention and Recovery
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (abennett@MIT.EDU)
Thu Feb 2 14:27:22 1995
From: abennett@MIT.EDU
To: humor@MIT.EDU
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 1995 14:22:35 EST
A rehash of a classic.
-Drew
Date: Thu, 02 Feb 1995 09:29:41 -0500
From: Erik Nygren <nygren@MIT.EDU>
From: aviles@MIMSY.MIT.EDU (Walter A. Aviles)
Subject: Forwarded: Burnout Prevention and Recovery
Hi Gang!
Thought you might find this amusing. If you do, see point 12 :-)
w-
>Burnout Prevention and Recovery
> (The Conventional View and the MIT View)
>
> 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
> those 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 your work is funny? We'll discuss this with
> your director on Friday, at 7:00 P.M.!
>
>
