New Year Brings “Recalibration”

 

By Paula E. Camargo

Whenever a new year comes around, I see it as a chance to catch my breath. Usually, I have been going full speed ahead, so busy crossing things off a long to-do list that I realize I often forget to look up and make sure that I am heading in the direction I want to go.

New Year’s is a reminder to recalibrate my bearings.  Where am I on this journey? What impact do I want to have? How do I focus my energy? What do I let go of? Am I feeling depleted or enriched by last year’s choices?

Struggles over the last years are real: COVID, tension overseas, supply chain disruption, inflation, recession, surcharges, labor shortages, the list goes on and on …burnout is real and we are all stressed. Expectations have never been so high.

Situational factors are the biggest contributors to burnout, so changes at the job, team, environment or organizational level are often required to address all the underlying issues. However, there are steps you can take on your own once you’re aware of the issues and of what might be causing them. Here are some strategies I have found to be successful:

• Prioritize self-care.
• Shift your perspective.
• Reduce exposure to job stressors.
• Seek out connections.

I am doing my own reflecting on what lights me up, what I am going to let go of, and where I want to push myself to grow. Build a road map for prevention of “stress”. Your experience can serve as a turning point that launches you into a more sustainable career and a happier, healthier life.

Paula E. Camargo is National Sales Manager Commercial & POAS for Watson Bowman Acme.  She can be reached at paula.espinosa@watsonbowmanacme.com .