Work fatigue, loss of concentration, etc. How to tackle them?

[Charley King]

There was a thread some time back concerning creative burnout. I think it is time to read that thread. I’ve been there. I didn’t do anything about it at the time, or should I say the times. I let them build over years and I then broke with a total mental creative burnout that lasted close to 3 years. Fina a way to get away. Find a way to relax, take your mind off work. Find that thread and read it, con’t wait til it reaches the point mine did.

Charlie

[Chris Bové]

Try and remember why you got into the industry. Rediscover the magic and find a way to pop it as a pill. Then patent it, cuz we’ll buy it!

Take naps. Make love often. Vavation in the woods (no pixels).

______
/-o-o-\
\`(=)`/…Pixel Monkey
`(___)

[Mark Suszko]

The love of a good woman, playing in the yard with the kids, a long soak in a warm tub with some good tunes. A long bike ride at dusk. Sunset on the local beach. Cherry Garcia.;-)

When I’m really low, I put on the headphones and wail away on my old Yamaha DX7 with the faders all the way up. I’m not very good, but good enough to please myself. An hour or so of noodling blues to pop is quite cathartic. They say “a change is as good as a rest”, so go do something, ANYTHING, that’s not like what you’re doing at work. For me one of those things is flying my RC model airplanes, or sailing my RC sailboat in the local pond. Or go grab a sketch pad and pencil sit outside and draw *something* . Or make a meal you’ve never cooked before, a dessert you’ve never tried. The point is to flex creative muscles that are not usually getting flexed.

[Mike Cohen]

Drink 1-2 liters of water per 8 hour day – keeps the blood flowing – avoid coffee unless you fall asleep more than 3 times while logging tape

exercise 3 times a week at least

sleep in once in a while

develop a language system with your significant other, such as 1-hour = 3 hours, etc

I like lots of light in my office – incandescent, not fluorescent

occasionally do something fun related to your job – such as making an animation or goofy video – try something you could never do in an actual project

drink lots of water – oh I said that already – but do it – may even help you lose weight if that is an issue

also avoid sugary snacks

take a multivitamin and get lots of protein

visit the creative cow site at least once a day

go for a walk after you eat your lunch – even in the rain or snow – you’ll dry off

Those are things I do – listen to your body.

[Todd Gillespie]

This is a quote that I ran across yesterday, courtesy of Mark’s post to a web page with thoughtful quotes.

He who has a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” – Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

Don’t live to work, work to live.

I have 3 smiling reasons waiting for me everytime I walk in the door. You need to get reenergized with your personal life!
ALso, listen to Mike about the water thing, too much coffee and I’m a space case.

Peace,

Todd at UCSB
Television Production

[Andrei-cristian Murgescu]

“He who has a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’.” – Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

Don’t live to work, work to live.
”

I totally agree with this. I have my familliy and friends that offer me a fine refuge, it’s true, I don’t have any kids (or wife for that matter). I think Mark hit the spot closer to what I meant, although all you guys had some valuable feedback. I think my fatigue is *mainly* but not only due to overnight work, idiot clients (but these cannot be avoided) and an overall rushed lifestyle. The water thing is true I believe as I was already told that by many people. I also had the fluorescent lights in my office replaced with incandescend a few months ago.

Work’s for machines anyway. 😀

[Person Lastly]

this is where being selective with work can save you from burn out. not most of us can be selective, but we should strive to get to a point in our careers where we can be. and unfortunately if you’re getting tired of a project and/or client(s) it will show, and could hurt future possibilites. i always have a saying, if you like what you do, people notice. if you dislike what you do, people notice. take a break. good luck.

[Charley King]

[plasma] ” i always have a saying, if you like what you do, people notice. if you dislike what you do, people notice. take a break.”

Believe me, I was still loving what I did right throough the burnout. Loving what you are doing is no remedy for burnout. Burnout can be caused from loving what you do too much.

Charlie

[Andrei-cristian Murgescu]

“Burnout can be caused from loving what you do too much.”

This might turn into a delicious philosophical debate. Anyway, until then, I for one don’t think that I experience a *creative* burnout, but just phisical exhaustion that is also taking its toll on the intelectual side. Technically, I still have ideas and can find solutions but with very reduced performance.

[Tim Kolb]

[colourblind] ”
“Burnout can be caused from loving what you do too much.”

This might turn into a delicious philosophical debate. Anyway, until then, I for one don’t think that I experience a *creative* burnout, but just phisical exhaustion that is also taking its toll on the intelectual side. Technically, I still have ideas and can find solutions but with very reduced performance.”

It’s interesting that the people I know who are the most successful in my eyes are doing something that they’re good at, but they don’t “love” it. I do what I love 18 hours a day, and weekends…crazy hours…laptop runs at home on projects, etc.

I find when I’ve been working around the clock and I build up a sleep deficit that I become useless. Setting a limit seems a necessity.

TimK
Kolb Syverson Communications
Creative Cow Host
2004, 2005 NAB Post Production Conference Premiere Pro Technical Chair
Author, “The Easy Guide to Premiere Pro” http://www.focalpress.com
“Premiere Pro Fast Track DVD Series” http://www.classondemand.net