How To Avoid Parental Burnout In 2021 By Hayley McDonnell

The term feeling the “burn” has long been associated with exercise and is a colloquial phrase commonly understood to relate to what we feel in our muscles during exercise. However it  is not directly related to caloric burn or the amount of fat that is being burned. So working harder is directly correlated to work output or work achieved. 

There are a litany of phrases that can be used to remind us all of working smarter not harder and most of them we know. What working parents, female entrepreneurs need to know is how to work smarter which will have benefits for them personally, professionally and for family life.Keeping it simple and manageable is a necessity. Hayley McDonnell shares her 3 steps that can be repeated daily so that organisation, harmony and self-satisfaction can be achieved.

Planning

Writing it down on paper or a journal or using an on-line planning software too to chart your to-do list for the next day.  Don’t wait until the morning, do it the day before in preparation for the next day.  Not unusual so far but categorising them using different coloured pens, fonts or columns under three distinct headings. Professional, Family, Self-care.  Self-care will be the first one to complete, priority given to your own needs so that you can serve your family and female entrepreneur journey. One self-care activity just for you like reading, skin-care routine, exercise, gardening, craft, listen to a podcast and so on.  Jill Wigmore shares her views on finding joy in January for BEYOUROWN readers here but her suggestions apply any time.

Prioritise

What do you need to do first or most underneath the Professional and Family column? Imagine you can only have three for each. What must be done or a non-negotiable?  Don’t touch your self-care activity as this one is a priority.  At the end of the day start your planning again.  Some new tasks may need to be added, some are no longer relevant, priorities change throughout the day and nothing is absolute.  Always acknowledge an achievement no matter how small or insignificant you think it is.  Progress is always being made, new thoughts, a new focus, a successful family conversation. 

Play

Its time for self-care. Serena Sabala extols the virtues of self-care for BEYOUROWN readers and it reminds all female entrepreneurs who have family responsibilities to banish the guilt and that self-care isn’t selfish. A shift the mind-set to this train of thought of realising this is what my business my family and what I need.  Find joy in your life everyday and enjoy your life.