Prevent Burnout by Making Compassion a Habit

Have you ever wondered why some people burnout while others seem OK, even with a similar stress level and workload? The answer, or at least one of them, is self-compassion. While some people handle work-related stress with negative self-talk, shutting down, or over-working, others respond in a much healthier, sustainable way. If you’re concerned about burnout due to the nature of your work, it’s important to practice empathy, but not just for others… practice empathy with yourself as well. Listen to others with an open mind, but don’t forget to listen to yourself.

Self-compassion involves checking in with yourself to understand what you are experiencing emotionally, physically, and intellectually. That way instead of berating yourself or panicking over your workload, you can figure out how to best care for yourself. Simply put, make compassion toward yourself and others a habit. When compassion is at the center of your actions, you will form a healthier relationship with your work.

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Writing by Dr. Kandi Wiens

Dr. Kandi Wiens

I am a researcher, speaker, executive coach, and leadership development facilitator. I’m also a Senior Fellow at The University of Pennsylvania, where I teach in the PennCLO Executive Doctoral Program, the Penn Master’s in Medical Education Program, and Wharton Executive Education. All of my work is deeply rooted in the latest positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and mindset research.

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