burnt out but can’t take time to rest....

[glowstar]

I’ve been reading this forum for a while and have really enjoyed the advice people give each other. So I have decided to jump in and ask for some for myself :-)

I work full-time, (I own my own retail store) and I am also studying full-time on the side. Both of which are full on by themselves and take a considerable amount of my time. It is leaving me completely exhausted, all I want to do is sleep whenever I have any down time, or procrastinate, or watch tv. For the first time ever I have been avoiding completing my assignments until the last minute - which is not like me.

I don’t know what to do? How can I get some more energy so that I avoid procrastinating? I am short on employees for the next 8 weeks, so taking a vacation isn’t an option, nor is dropping some of my course load (I need to complete my degree in a certain time due to credit expiry problems).

I know I am burnt out. I don’t think I am depressed, just very very tired, and very stressed out. I take care of my health, I eat healthy foods, no junk food, take vitamins. I don’t exercise at the moment, but I do run when I can.

What am I doing wrong?

[glassflank]

Originally Posted by glowstar

I’ve been reading this forum for a while and have really enjoyed the advice people give each other. So I have decided to jump in and ask for some for myself :-)

I work full-time, (I own my own retail store) and I am also studying full-time on the side. Both of which are full on by themselves and take a considerable amount of my time. It is leaving me completely exhausted, all I want to do is sleep whenever I have any down time, or procrastinate, or watch tv. For the first time ever I have been avoiding completing my assignments until the last minute - which is not like me.

I don’t know what to do? How can I get some more energy so that I avoid procrastinating? I am short on employees for the next 8 weeks, so taking a vacation isn’t an option, nor is dropping some of my course load (I need to complete my degree in a certain time due to credit expiry problems).

I know I am burnt out. I don’t think I am depressed, just very very tired, and very stressed out. I take care of my health, I eat healthy foods, no junk food, take vitamins. I don’t exercise at the moment, but I do run when I can.

What am I doing wrong?

Procrastination is a function of feeling overwhelmed and has little to do with physical energy.

If you haven't already, you at least need to have a clear idea of exactly what you need to get done and how long it will take over the next 8 weeks. If you just have a whole heap of study and it's going to be hella busy at work' in your head then you will likely feel overwhelmed.

If you are exhausted, you can be more aware of how this effects you. Mental and Physical Exhaustion are two different things. You might find you cannot easily do mental work at the end of the day for example, while you do this type of work very well and very easily in the mornings.

Nathan.

[Clint Cora]

Originally Posted by glowstar

I don’t exercise at the moment, but I do run when I can.

What am I doing wrong?

There's one of your issues which you have IDed for yourself. To keep energy levels up, you need to exercise regularly, not just whenever you can.

The other issues would be procrastination (I just posted a video on this in this section) and maybe some improvement in time management. Those are the three main areas to work on as I read your story.

[xtremelady]

As someone who also studies and works, (I am very much in the same boat) and I fully understand how difficult and exhausting this is.

I can share what has worked for me;

Organisation - in work and study as a rule you will know what needs to be achieved on a monthly basis. Break this up to what needs to be done week by week.

Having found that I can do 2weeks, working 7 days 16hrs a day (lots of pro plus and caffeine to get through) before I need at least a day (24hrs) to relax and revitalise my system.

I use this day as my reward - I can get through the 2weeks of constant work and study knowing that I will get one day just for me. (do not allow others to cajole you into activities - this is your me time to do as you wish- TV - lounge around the house in PJs - do nothing if you like or do something you really enjoy - point is your choice ).

I also find an evening within the two weeks (because if planned properly It is possible - given that I achieve all my self imposed deadlines) as a treat where I will go out with a friend.

By rewarding yourself, it gives greater incentives to get things done and the process does not seem to be an endless tide of work.

[abcbac]

Having a calm manner will help even if you are crunched for time. Or just take 5 to 10 minutes and just meditate and relax. You will be suprised to see how much this helps.

[irfan]

I agree with Glassflank. Break it down into measurable stages, with defined steps.

So, what do you need to get done this week? Work that out first.

Then, write an action plan each night for the next day. If you need to ring people, make sure you have the numbers ready and put them in the action plan / To Do list so you're ready to go the next morning. If you need to go somewhere, then pack your bag. Have things ready.

I'm really good at procrastinating. Okay, before I start work I'll make a cup of coffee. Fair enough -- but fire up the computer, open up the files that I'm going to be working on, have a very quick look through them, THEN go and make the coffee. Then all I need to do is sit down and do the job.

If I have a writing job, in the evening, I might try to write just the first paragraph. Even if it's a crappy paragraph, it's easier to revise it and clean it than it is to face the dreadful sight of a blank white screen and the blinking cursor.

For me, it's not getting things finished that's difficult, it's getting them started.

[Matthew Cluff]

I think that you should really watch what thoughts you're thinking to yourself about how exhausted you are. Like Mike Dooley said, "Thoughts become things," and if you're thinking thoughts of exhaustion, procrastination, and tiredness, you're going to start becoming those.

I think that you should prioritize what's most important to you in this situation -- studying or your business. If you say something like, "I'm not going to be able to work for the next 8 weeks because I'm short on employees," you're only attracting difficulties at work and having to work more into your life. Think about and get into a deep emotional state about what you do want -- maybe it could be hiring a new employee, that would allow you to take more time of and focus on your studies for the time being.

In terms of procrastination and indecisiveness, I want to recommend you create a prioritized course of action that you want to take each day. What are the most important things you have to do? Start one the first one, and don't start number two until you've finished number one. Then go onto number two and don't start number three until you've finished number two...

Ultimately, my greatest advice is to watch the "self-talk" you're giving yourself by virtue of your thoughts. You're thinking thoughts of struggling balance of time, exhaustion, (etc.) and those things will manifest to become true in the physical world. Focus on enjoying what you're doing, stay in the right mindset and upbeat emotional attitude, and this should help you out immensely to start out with!

To Your Success,
Matthew Cluff

[CoolBee]

Cut yourself some slack, you have a demanding load there.

One thing I did many years ago when I was working full-time AND doing a Masters in Nuclear Physics in parallel with a PostGrad (Masters minus the dissertation) in Operational Research (which together took 4 nights a week attendance at school plus associated study).
- Promised myself that if at ANY time I wanted to do something different (like go to a gig or the cinema) I could. Study should be a pleasure not a bind (well not for a prolonged period anyway!)
Rotated a day off each week (ie week 1 I would skip Monday's classes, Week 2 Tuesdays, ... and week 5 - skip the lot!) - I became an expert in copying someone else's notes for 1 lecture while keeping up with the current one.
Promised myself that EVEN if I missed two classes of a particular subject on the trot (the normal point at which people will then give up never to be seen again), I WOULD return in week 3 or even 4!
As the man said "Just turning up is 90% of the solution" or something like that.
If deep down you genuinely think that the studying is not for you and it doesn't serve any practical purpose - eg work-related qualifications you need to get - then give yourself permission to give up. Try giving yourself the breaks first though to identify whether that's all you need.
You may feel that you can't afford these breaks, but instead you may find that they HELP your study. Let's just say I was the only one to pass the Masters in 2 years (others took 3 or more) and I got a mark of distinction for the PostGrad.