You’re in a strategic communications job. What can you do to prevent burnout?

In my opinion, setting realistic expectations is crucial for maintaining mental well-being and preventing burnout in a strategic communications role. Striving for perfectionism can lead to undue stress and dissatisfaction, ultimately detracting from overall productivity and effectiveness. By acknowledging limitations and understanding that it's acceptable to seek assistance or adjust deadlines as needed, individuals can alleviate pressure and foster a healthier work environment. Embracing a mindset of flexibility and adaptability allows for more sustainable work practices and better outcomes in the long run.

I'll offer a perspective: How do you think Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, Serena Williams or Steve Jobs might answer this question? Probably differently than "setting realistic goals." Each had unrealistic goals, far greater than their competitors. And they went for it, all out. Because practicing, working, and being driven to greatness was THEIR balance.

You have to stay true to who you are and focus on your strengths and where you need help you have to reach out to your network.

I believe that establishing achievable goals is essential for preserving mental health and avoiding burnout in a strategic communications position. Pursuing perfection can result in unnecessary stress and discontent, ultimately hindering productivity and success. Recognizing our limitations and being open to seeking support when necessary can help reduce pressure and promote a more positive work atmosphere. Embracing a flexible and adaptable approach enables the adoption of sustainable work habits and leads to improved results over time.

Realistic sprint goals in Scrum are crucial for the mental health of team members. Unrealistic goals can lead to immense pressure, frustration, and feelings of inadequacy, potentially causing stress, anxiety, and burnout. Achievable goals foster a sense of fulfillment and progress, boosting self-esteem and motivation. They enable teams to plan and organize effectively, reducing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Overall, realistic goals promote a supportive work culture where mental well-being is prioritized, leading to happier, more productive teams.

Discipline is the key! Consistency, focus, and perseverance are all essential elements of disciplined communication strategies. Staying true to your goals, maintaining a consistent message, and executing your plans with precision are all key aspects of disciplined communication. It helps ensure that your efforts are strategic, targeted, and ultimately effective in achieving your objectives.

Time can't be managed! strategic communication requires focus, clarity resilience to change and innovation. First and foremost, focus on your mental strength and calm down but speed up.

Everyone has the same 24 hours in the day. Learn to make them work FOR you. 1. Set Boundaries: Avoid checking emails or working outside of designated work hours whenever possible. Be fully present wherever you are. 2. Clear Priorities: Prioritize your tasks based on not only their importance and deadlines but also their visibility to clients and senior leaders. 3. Schedule Breaks: This is a creative field and you need time to recharge. Short breaks throughout the day can help refresh your mind, foster creativity and don’t forget to eat. 4. Delegate: If someone can do something 80% as well as you can, delegate it. This reduces your workload but also empowers your team members.

Every day when I get to work I know that I have 8 hours to complete my tasks. No more, no less. To do this, I set limits, i.e. I avoid answering emails or working beyond the designated working hours. In addition, I set clear objectives, organizing my tasks taking into account not only their urgency and deadlines, but also their visibility to clients and management.

Preventing burn out isn't really role specific. It's about your personal daily routines -(esp morning exercise and mindfulness practices ) that enable you to stay centered, clear, focused regardless of the changes that inevitably emerge daily. Demonstrating your EQ/SQ in your communications with your business partners will contribute immensely to your ability to be resilient in the midst of change. and know how to easily make decisions with clear no's , yes's and lets revisit that another time. (not AI generated ) '

Creativity comes from play, experimenting and not being confined. This may go against most corporate environments, but part of work hours should be spent on just getting outside and doing something besides work. You don't have to be a creative type to be creative. Creativity is form of expression that's uniquely yours.

Professionals in strategic communications must embody their strategies not only in their work but also in their personal lives. Thinking out of the box is the hallmark skill of strategists, setting them apart from mere implementers. Transforming a highly stressful environment into an exhilarating one can be as simple as pondering, "What is my strategy today?" The myriad of self-motivating strategies that emerge daily is truly surprising. Often, these strategies necessitate involving others in one's endeavors, adding an element of unpredictability that invigorates the process. The ultimate stress reliever lies in effectively collaborating with others, leading to the discovery of hidden talents, a truly rewarding gem to unearth.

Innovation stems from exploration, experimentation, and breaking free from constraints. While this approach may challenge traditional corporate norms, dedicating a portion of work hours to activities unrelated to work fosters creativity. Being labeled as a "creative type" is not a prerequisite for creativity; it's an individual form of expression that belongs uniquely to you.

Most of our learning and growth happens ‘inter-being’ or in relationships. We are after all not islands. One of the ways to prevent burn out and at the same time learn, is to have a strong network. The role one plays there is not of receiving but giving. Giving your time, resources or your expertise helps our nervous system to feel the expansion that naturally comes from generosity, gratitude, camaraderie.

Based on my experience, seeking support from colleagues, mentors, or a support network has been instrumental in mitigating feelings of isolation and preventing burnout in my strategic communications role. Engaging with others who understand the challenges of the profession has provided valuable guidance and encouragement. By sharing experiences and seeking advice, I've gained new perspectives and practical strategies for managing workload and stress. This collaborative approach not only strengthens professional relationships but also fosters a sense of community and resilience in navigating the demands of the role.

I echo Heang's comment on support from colleagues/mentors. I am fortunate to have an excellent relationship with my manager who is a tremendous mentor and guide. When I feel like I am in a rut, I sit down with my manager to discuss. I am always looking for new challenges - the next big thing. It helps to talk with my manager to survey the landscape and find opportunities that I may not see. Also, there may be opportunities to expand into new ideas and/or areas of work you've already completed. We call it second bite of the apple. Go back and look again. You may have missed an opportunity for a follow-up campaign. That's the perspective I get from tapping into my manager. He looks at it through new eyes and may find something I missed.

Feedback, reviews, and retrospectives in Scrum are crucial for continuous improvement and team effectiveness. Feedback loops allow teams to gather valuable insights from stakeholders, enabling them to refine their work and deliver better results. Reviews provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals. Retrospectives allow teams to reflect on their processes, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to enhance efficiency and collaboration. By fostering open communication and a culture of learning, feedback, reviews, and retrospectives empower teams to adapt, innovate, and deliver high-quality outcomes consistently.

You cannot think about feedback as just about pointing out flaws. It is the start of growth. Here's why: 1?? Reflection and Improvement: Constructive criticism offers fresh perspectives, allowing us to reflect on our actions and make meaningful improvements. 2?? Building Resilience: Embracing feedback builds resilience, turning setbacks into steps toward success. When you receive feedback, remember this: 1?? Listen with an Open Mind: Approach feedback with curiosity, not defensiveness. Listening opens doors to growth opportunities. 2?? Use Feedback as Fuel: Transform feedback into actionable steps for improvement. Every critique is an opportunity to level up. When it comes to feedback; embrace it, learn from it, and continue to grow.

In my view, prioritizing self-care is crucial in a demanding strategic communications role. Setting aside time for activities like meditation, yoga, or hobbies provides essential relaxation and stress relief. These practices not only offer immediate benefits but also foster resilience and enhance overall productivity. Investing in self-care is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and long-term success.

Have you considered building a napping pod under your desk? A comfortable mattress, some reading material, an alarm clock... It's life-changing. You'll be rejuvenated, energetic, and filled with an indescribable joy and zest for life.

What I have faced with is a lack of self care. So highly recommend and be focused on signs that your body may show. Tension, anxiety, all these are red flags that definitely will be destructive for your work, life… So first is identifying and this step is the hardest for me. Once in a day, give yourself 1 minute to ask yourself - how are you, to understand that you can relax and feel your full body. If something bothers you, use meditation, gym or just walk in a fresh air. Wish everyone to be healthy, happy and self conscious ??

Strategy is about clarity and simplicity. Communications, the same. A lot of burnout comes from overthinking. Clarify and simplify what you can: Goals? Choices and decisions? Processes? The final output? The number of slides on a deck? The number of decks? Review and see what's getting in the way and slash ruthlessly. The end result should be a lot closer to what you have in mind: for your projects, for your career, for your life.

1. Structured Work-Life Balance: Encourage a well-defined work-life balance, setting clear boundaries for work hours, breaks, and downtime to prevent burnout and ensure sustained energy and focus. 2. Effective Delegation Practices: Teach strategic communication professionals the art of delegation, empowering them to distribute tasks efficiently, optimize team collaboration, and alleviate the burden of overwhelming workloads. 3. Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques: Integrate mindfulness practices and stress management techniques into daily routines, fostering resilience and emotional well-being in the face of demanding strategic communication roles.

- Value Mismatch: Burnout isn’t simply about being tired. When your values cannot align with those of your organization, you may need to consider whether it is time to look for new opportunities. Determine if you can find compatibility in your current position or whether another organization might be better suited to your values. -Task Balancing: After delivering something highly demanding (cognitively, emotionally, or physically), it may be beneficial to switch to a less complex task. Swapping between tasks of varying difficulty on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis can be an excellent way to regain balance and give yourself a break.

Three important aspects normally not addressed in this regard are * Rest and relaxation, without disturbance.Sleep is essential to fuel the mind. * Nutrition..do not rely on fast food..Eat well and eat good. * Physical activity...to de stress and keep our self fit for work! * Regular counselling/ advice by a well wisher/ Senior..keeps us motivated!

People in the communications function, by nature of their job, interact with multiple departments and inevitably come to know of many things going on in the company. This is our role - to get information from various sources to prepare messages and convey it those who need to know. This sets an expectation that we ought to know it all. In fact, others start expecting it too - “you are in comms, you must have heard something”. This expectation from self and others to stay abreast of everything can lead to burnout because there is no end to information floating around. It is important to draw a boundary as to what exactly is the scope of your communications role and stay in the know only of that information.