by Richard Andrei Sebastian

Created on: August 21, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2009

Sums of 14 hours since you've been at the office, and you begged off another get-together with friends, deciding instead to get more work done tonight. And the next evening will still be sacrifice to finish everything.

If this looks routine to you, then something is amiss. You may be on the verge of serious burnout.

Burnout comes from many sources: working too many hours, doing too many different tasks, taking on too many projects, and setting unrealistically high standards, Erika Welz Prafder, The New York Post columnist said. Today's work environment is so competitive that we feel the urge to go a mile further with the prospect of many others coveting your job. So, let's take a moment to consider the drawbacks: exhaustion, deterioration of relationships with family members, and neglecting yourself. And you may rationalize that you can slow down once you get promoted, but your boss will expect all the extra effort you.ve been exerting. Try to think of this: Having too much on your plate will make you more inefficient. It's like, the higher the ladder you want to climb is the more you'll need to be a visionary and will just end up having a weak ladder.

Slowdown, wind-up and relax, you can make your life satisfying in the way you want. If you're ready for a change and a pivot, keep these reminders:

COUCH YOUR TIME. Always remember that it is not the time to couch you, it is yourself that should handle time. Learn to manage and budget your time. Once you decided to over-time in a particular work, expect that something in your regular routine will suffer. Keep a journal of your daily work and monitor which tasks have been eating up time, then find ways to address these time-wasters.

SET END POINTS. If it is necessary, don't bring work home. It may make you stress-out even outside the roof of your office. Learn to have time and enjoy your self. If you're in a date or in a family get-together, let go of the piles of work and the pressure in the office.

LEARN TO SAY NO. if you're tempted to agree on something even you know you can't, don't be forced into agreeing just to placate a colleague. Say no and always remember to be polite in declining the favor. Give sufficient reason why you can't make it and smile while in conversation.

GIVE FAMILY SOME TIME. It is a matter of adjustment in your schedule to spend some time together with your family. Don't loose your hand-to-hand relationship with each family member. Eat meals at a later time or do an activity that everyone can enjoy are a couple of ideas to increase quality moments with each other.

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