No doubt about it, these are trying times. We all have to “think and do” imaginatively, productively, and economically, 24 hours a day, at work, and in our personal lives. Meeting and event planners know that, perhaps, more than anyone else in the business but, sometimes it’s a good idea to look at the supplier side of the meetings and hospitality industry in order to ascertain how they are juggling things while keeping their sanity and, most importantly, achieving goals.
That said, two members of HSMAI’s (Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International) Rising Sales Leader Council, Kathryn Alioto (sales manager, Springhill Suites Madison) and Michael Estrin (senior catering sales manager, Hyatt Regency Dulles), claim that they often find ourselves working long hours and juggling multiple responsibilities, which can quickly lead to the dreaded disease of burnout.
“Burnout is most common among high achievers and is often related to being short-staffed and high turnover, both prevalent in the current climate. Over the last year, burnout has been a recurring topic for the Rising Sales Leader Council as we’ve brainstormed ways to prevent burnout in ourselves and our teams.”
So, here’s what they crafted and recommended to their colleagues on the supplier side of the business, but no one can deny that all 16 points apply to all travel and hospitality professionals as well. These 16 points are divided into two lists: one regarding work-life balance for individuals and the other more tailored to members of management. I’m sure you will glean some stellar ideas from both now and in the future.
10 Ideas to Prevent Burnout and Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance:
- Empower yourself to set boundaries and learn to say “no” when necessary.
- Practice patience and empathy with your team members.
- Implement “Focus Fridays” or half-days to allow for uninterrupted work time.
- Turn off notifications on your phone after work hours, on weekends, and during vacation.
- Fully unplug during vacations by setting an out-of-office message and vacation alert.
- Get comfortable delegating and asking for help.
- Block out time on your calendar for projects and lunch.
- Set a limit on the number of meetings per day to have ample time for follow-up actions.
- Conduct self-evaluations, reorganize priorities, and make time for yourself.
- Volunteer to give back to recharge and gain new perspectives. Even better if your organization gives you PTO (paid time off) for volunteer days.
Additionally, supervisors can play a crucial role in preventing burnout by following six simple steps:
6 Tips for Supervisors to Prevent Burnout:
- Be aware of your team’s workload.
- Ask for feedback.
- Trust your team to work from home without attaching stigma.
- Open space for dialogue through regular meetings.
- Create a culture that celebrates healthy work-life balance.
- Individualize flexible work plan that meets employees’ needs.
More than anything else and according to Kathryn and Michael, advocating for yourself, setting boundaries, and having tough conversations are key steps in preventing burnout and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Points are well taken. We all could use a little of that in our professional vs. personal lives.
