Norton

Work/Life Balance

Renewal for Women: celebrating aliveness

Are you doing too much? Stretched too shin? Not giving your all? Are some things longer satisfying? Others too time Consuming? Have you lost interest? Lost your focus? Lost your energy? Lost your sense of purpose? If you answered yes of these questions you may be experiencing burnout.

Burnout does not occur in a vacuum. The person burns out of something--a job, a career, a vocation or a relationship. There is also the implication that at some time the person perform. Energy is the key.

Renewal fur Women is about taking time to refocus your energy. Burnout signals to the individual that it is time to slow down, take stock, reassess and rejuvenate. Renewal for women promotes active coping strategies at an individual level and an organizational level

The current study of Australian business and professional women aimed at finding ways for women to sustain their contribution through the lifespan. In particular, the study

- Examined mid career burnout

- Reviewed the impact of aging on business and professional women

- Identified the information, resources, structures and work practices that support business and professional women, and

- Gathered stories from women about ways to cope individuality and about what organizations should be doing.

Coping strategies fell into two categories; individual and organizational.

Individual Strategies

- Take time and create space for reflection

-               Interact with others outside your usual routine
-               Learn how to design a life of your own choosing
-               Learn how to renegotiate the relationships in your life
-                Challenge yourself by learning a new skill

Organizational strategies

"              Assume burnout as a natural part of the business cycle and organizational life and prepare for it
"              Enable employees to make time sabbaticals
"              Support employees in volunteering activities (financial and time)
"              Commit to the principles of continuous learning.

Unless women take regular steps to renew themselves they face a spiral of burnout and frustration that has consequences on their business or community performance, their health, and their family life.

Any Questions & Comments, contact GlobeWomen at summit@globewomen.com. Or, write to us:

Globewomen, Inc./ 666 11th St. NW, Ste. 700/ Washington, DC 20001/ USA

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