tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505321001193533635.post581623420864891074..comments2024-03-06T03:50:12.522-05:00Comments on KirkHazlett-APRofessor's Thoughts: Your Career and You: "Take Some 'You' Time"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517054023431864957noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505321001193533635.post-78256651577458946742011-06-26T20:37:22.678-04:002011-06-26T20:37:22.678-04:00Thanks, Cathie. You absolutely have captured the h...Thanks, Cathie. You absolutely have captured the heart of what I was talking about...and have pinpointed a profession whose members would benefit most by remembering there is and has to be room for "me."<br /> <br />I'm glad you were able to identify this little "secret" yourself and make good use of it. We need to make sure you're with us for a long, long time! :-)Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSAhttp://kirkhazlett-aprofessorsthoughts.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505321001193533635.post-66434470470701749782011-06-26T16:20:57.578-04:002011-06-26T16:20:57.578-04:00It is amazing to me that I am listening to an NPR ...It is amazing to me that I am listening to an NPR program discussing Cognitive Awareness, meditation and neuroscience (http://being.publicradio.org/programs/2011/healthy-minds/) while I multi-task and read my emails to include "APRofessor's Thoughts". <br /><br />Having been raised by members of "The greatest generation" (accomplishment oriented) and years of being a single mom who had no choice but to do-it-all, I have experienced GREAT personal burnout during my multi-decade life, all self-induced as I never learned to Let Go, Relax and Breathe. I am fortunate to have a love of cycling, hiking in a nearby state park and my newest love: kayaking. It is difficult to have an overly-busy brain when your body is utilizing its blood supply for muscles engaged in hill climbing, or paddling.<br /><br />In my current "job"/profession, I am fulfilling my own new-grad dream of being a mentor to younger nurses. My suggestions to those younger nurses who approach me for help reflect exactly what you are saying: find some "ME" time. As members of a compassion-based profession, nurses are often subject to self-induced OVER CARING or the newer term - Compassion Fatigue. Not only are nurses subject to heart and head patient/family/work demands on the job, many nurses find themselves in the role of "family and neighbor or friend medical advisor". These are the people in our lives who trust a nurse for advice for life, health and the-latest-healthcare-worry-on-the-news. It is difficult to find 'down-time' when there is little available time to BE off duty.<br /><br />I guess what I am saying Kirk, is that you are right. The world is busier than ever before and the demands on us are high. FIND TIME to relax, re-fuel, un-wind and give back to yourself what you so freely (and so frequently) give to others. Play peaceful music in the car or better yet, play nothing at all. Put yourself on that To Do List! Give yourself permission to refuel and re-charge so you CAN be there for others. Be strong and set your demands firmly. The world will not end if we lock ourselves in the bathroom for 5 minutes of peace.<br /><br />Thanks Kirk!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505321001193533635.post-77541160131481151872011-06-26T11:03:29.487-04:002011-06-26T11:03:29.487-04:00Thanks! Your friend absolutely validates what I su...Thanks! Your friend absolutely validates what I suggested to my friend and in my post. My fingers are crossed in hopes of her succeeding in her job search. Please update us!Kirk Hazlett, APR, Fellow PRSAhttp://kirkhazlett-aprofessorsthoughts.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5505321001193533635.post-9512187269779863442011-06-26T07:54:02.306-04:002011-06-26T07:54:02.306-04:00I'm retired now so it's a non-issue for me...I'm retired now so it's a non-issue for me, but I have a good friend who has been unemployed since the major company for which she worked was shut down. She spends considerable time as a pro bono manager for a job readiness program (honing skills, networking, helping others); has a part-time non-professional job for benefits; and spends the remainder job-hunting, interviewing, blogging, etc. Smartly, she also has a friend with whom she walks every morning; and meets weekly with friends for drinks and conversation, along with periodic lunches. That kind of "me" time is critical to maintaining a healthy life balance, much like vacations are critical during working years. She is stressed, no question; who wouldn't be? But think how far worse it would be if she was solely focused on the job hunt with no 'distractions'. She's a finalist for a good job right now, so a kind thought for her success is truly appreciated!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com