Session Sixteen Worksheet:
Rethinking Work

Objective:
Unlearn always-on work indoctrination that breeds burnout.

Pivot toward building sustainability-focused thinking

Rethink It:
Move from Burnout to Sustainability

Work demands can erode the quality of our lives. We care to the point of destruction. When we don’t stop and set boundaries, we can fall to the number-one occupational risk of today: burnout. Set a pace that is focused on longevity and sustainability.

Sustainability Check

• What’s my version of an E.T. video game?
• How hot is the frying pan I’m stuck in?
• What do I say to myself during moments when I’ve experienced failure?
• Even without a concierge, are there steps I can take to make life simpler?
• Have I ever experienced burnout? How did I recover? Am I keeping up with my regiments?
• Of the following, which matter most to me? (Rank them from 1–7.)
  • Relationships 

  • Faith/religion 

  • Profession/career 

  • Education 

  • Recreation and leisure 

  • Self-improvement/personal development 

  • Finances/money

Double-check the rankings. Am I investing in areas that matter the most to me?

Action Steps:
Imagineer Your Work-Life Rhythm to Bring Impact

1. Take time with your E.T. game. When you’re setting out to do extraordinary things, be sure to budget accordingly. Many times people ask us to operate as robots, forgetting we are human beings. When possible, budget extra time for deadlines, work on teams, delegate, and divide up work.

2. Trade it in. Missing sleep or neglecting basic functions like eating and exercising will hurt your health bottom line. Trade in your Get Out of Sleep cards for You’ve Just Won a Vacation Somewhere. It might cost you some time and money but doesn’t have to be elaborate to give you a needed breather.

3. Listen to your heart. Know the line between caring and caring to the point of self-destruction. Remember the sage advice of the American Psychological Association, reminding us not to wait until our bodies tell us we’re stressed to take care of them. If you are losing hair, sleep, appetite, or energy, take it as a cue to make some changes. We only have one heart and one motherboard—take care of them.

4. Move through it. Pick your favorite motivational song to start or end your workday. Keep humming, strumming, and dancing it through your day (even if only in your head). Don’t be chained to the rhythm of burnout. Be sure to keep your brain and body tuned through a combo of lifestyle medicine, fun, and a sense of adventure. Nothing is worth getting sick over.