Beating Burnout - Mental Health Awareness Week
Public Practice Recruitment Ltd - Experts in Public Practice Accountancy Recruitment UK-Wide
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It’s no myth that the public practice industry can be a high-stress, fast-moving and number-driven environment. A career in public practice is exciting, lucrative and extremely rewarding, but it’s also a profession where deadlines are tight and details matter. ?
From working long hours during tax season and dealing with challenging client demands, to balancing a heavy workload, the job of a public practice accountant can involve pressures that lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout. ?
Whether you’re a tax professional, a seasoned auditor, an experienced client manager, or somewhere in between, never forget that your wellbeing at work matters. Regardless of how booked up your diary is or how much work is piled on your desk, it’s essential to prioritise time to look after your mind. Mental health is just as important as your physical health and should not be overlooked.??
Here at Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, employee wellbeing is something we’re truly passionate about both professionally and personally. As the UK’s largest recruitment agency solely specialising in recruiting into public practice, we’re proud to advocate for our candidates. We believe that every firm has a duty of care to its staff, and our team goes above and beyond to secure roles that promote mental wellness. ?
To show our solidarity with Mental Health Awareness Week and do our bit in demystifying harmful stigmas that pose problems for accountants, we’ve put together our practical, easily achievable tips for avoiding burnout.??
What is burnout??
Burnout is exactly what it sounds like. Picture a flame that’s slowly but surely going out.?
It’s the feeling of exhaustion and deflation, often induced by work-related stress. It’s something that affects professionals in every industry across the world, and it’s a completely normal feeling that no one should be embarrassed about or ashamed to admit.?
For accountants juggling deadlines and high-stake tasks, recognising the early signs of burnout is crucial.??
Burnout usually manifests itself through some of the following:?
If you’re currently experiencing some of these symptoms, it may be time to reflect on how you’re truly feeling at work.??
While we know that ignoring the signs is the easy option, burnout can have a nasty habit of creeping up on us and causing a lot of long-term harm. Therefore, identifying burnout in its early stages could save you a lot of stress, mental exhaustion and feelings of anxiety and depression further down the line.??
What can I do to prevent burnout???
We’re not going to sugar coat it. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for achieving optimal mental wellbeing. It’s an ongoing, life-long journey for all of us, with many left turns and potholes in the road.?
Having said that, there are practical steps public practice accountants can take to strike a balance in their workday and help prevent burnout from becoming an all-consuming feeling that could force you to take time out of work. ?
Here are some ways you can implement a better work-life balance in your day-to-day job within public practice.?
Set Clear Boundaries??
Overworking may be the norm in the world of accountancy, but that doesn’t make it a good thing. In fact, overworking is often the main reason why people hit burnout in the first place.??
Even during the busiest periods, it’s essential that you establish clear boundaries between your work and personal life. While we appreciate that this is probably easier said than done, self-discipline also needs to come into play.??
These boundaries may include muting your work notifications after 7pm or enforcing a no-working-on-weekend rule. If these aren’t realistic or achievable, implementing small boundaries such as no talking about work over the dinner table or no scrolling before 8am will help create more space between you and your desk. ?
Manage Stress Actively??
Movement is one of the best stress management techniques out there. And the best part? It’s free, most of the time!?
Exercise is a great way to channel your stress and use it as a motivating factor for self-improvement. Find movement that works for you – whether that’s mediation, yoga, running, cycling, lifting weights, or simply going for an evening walk.??
Implementing regular exercise into your daily routine will help you unwind, release tension and take your mind off work. Put a feel-good playlist on and treat your workouts as time that’s completely for yourself.??
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Build a Support Network?
Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s actually the opposite.?
It’s extremely brave to initiate vulnerable conversations and be open with people about how you’re really doing.?
If you’re feeling burnout, having a good support system around you is essential. Our interactions with others help us navigate through emotions, develop healthier coping mechanics and understand ourselves better. Talking about mental health may feel like foreign territory at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.?
Speaking to your colleagues, loved ones, or seeking out of work support from a mental health professional are all things that can help lighten the weight on your shoulders. If there’s something about a project or task at work that you’re struggling with, be honest with your managers. It’s their job to help you and you shouldn’t feel afraid of asking for their support.?
Seek Professional Development?
Chasing continuous learning and progression opportunities can prevent feelings of stagnation, which often lead to burnout.??
If possible, attend workshops, undertake courses, and engage in new professional opportunities that will stimulate your mind, reignite excitement, and enhance your career.??
However, if you feel like these outlets aren’t enough to pull you out of the burnout stage, it may be time to seek new opportunities elsewhere by finding a firm that recognises and rewards your hard work. And that’s where we can help.?
Here at Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we’ve made it our mission to match candidates with professional opportunities that make them feel fulfilled. Our team is here to support you in the recruitment process, considering your happiness at every step. Because here, nothing is more important than the wellbeing of our candidates, and we’re proud to go the extra mile to help them secure a role that sustains their happiness.?
Ask for Help??
Feeling overwhelmed is a completely natural and normal feeling. We’re all only human after all, and you should never feel ashamed about coming forward and asking for help.??
At the bottom of the blog, we’ve listed some helpful resources such as Mind, NHS Mental Health and Mental Health UK. These support systems, led by mental health professionals who can provide expert guidance, are at your disposal. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of them if you need them.??
Final Thoughts?
Public Practice accountants play a critical role in the financial wellbeing of their firms and clients, but that shouldn’t mean that their mental health should come at a sacrifice. While we appreciate that things can be much easier said than done when it comes to mental health, there should always be time for accountants to reflect on their workplace wellbeing and make positives changes. ?
Setting boundaries, seeking comfort in friends, and exploring new job opportunities that promote a better work-life balance will lead to a more balanced, rewarding, and happier career; something that everyone deserves.?
And remember, you’re not alone. Mental health is something that affects us all, and something you should never feel embarrassed about. While Mental Health Awareness Week is a great start, conversations around workplace wellbeing should be happening all year round.??
Helpful Resources?
If you’re struggling with burnout, work-related stress, anxiety and/or depression, here are some helpful resources that can provide you with free, confidential support.??
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