You’re tired, stressed and it’s only 10.30 in the morning. But the worst thing is that it’s only the start of the week, and you’ve been feeling like this for the last two weeks…
Although travel agents are a tough lot, burnout will inevitably come if you don’t look after yourself and make a special effort to relax and get away from the stresses of the job.
Here are five ways you can prevent travel agent burnout from stopping you in your tracks.
1. WALK, RUN, SPIN
Channel all that stress that builds up over the course of weeks and months in the office/store through your legs, and exercise like your sanity depended on it – coz it kinda does.
Join a gym and sign up for group classes so you’re pushed to your limits, or convince a mate from the office to go running with you after work or on the weekend.
Whatever you need to do, just move and sweat it out.
2. WORK WITH A PURPOSE
If we’re only working in the travel industry for the sake of earning money, then sooner or later the emotional, mental and physical demands of being a travel agent will appear to outweigh the job’s monetary rewards.
But by re-discovering why you became a travel agent in the first place, and looking at the deeper impact of your work on the world around you, you’ll be able to feed of this new energy when you’re feeling low.
Ask yourself:
*How does your role as a travel agent help people?
*How are you making the world a better place?
*How can I add more meaning to what you do everyday?
Ponder these questions and you’ll be able to call on the answers when the going gets tough – and inevitably it will.
3. ASK FOR HELP
I know, it’s hard to stick your hand up and ask for help, especially when you pride yourself on being independent, resourceful and totally self-sufficient.
But sometimes we all need a little helping hand, and there’s nothing wrong with asking your work mates and/or boss to help you through a particularly tough time. It also doesn’t hurt to check to see whether your agency provides counselling.
4. SOCIALISE OFTEN
Schedule regular social activities into your week so you have time to let your hair down and get away from those nagging emails and lengthening to-do list.
Hanging out with other travel industry folk is all well and good, but make a special effort to hang with your non-travel agent friends too. It’s good to get out of the travel bubble every now and then…
5. MEDIDATE OR DO YOGA
“Om not really feeling stressed today because I meditated/cranked out a mean sun salutation this morning.”
That’s what you’re going to be saying to your colleagues during your morning meeting if you keep up a regular meditation or yoga practice.
Word.