Keeping Yourself in Sight: Maintaining Work-Life Balance

MSHA Student Event

Northeastern University

March 28, 2009

Suzanne M. Harris, MS CCC-SLP

MSHA Past President

Why Talk About This?

• We begin with my confession

• And our profession’s little known secret

SLPs and Audiologists are really…

• Artists * Musicians

• Scientists *Coaches

• Cheerleaders * Behaviorists

• Engineers * Counselors

• Magicians * Detectives

• Logisticators/project managers

• Collaborators * Visionaries

The reality is …

• Burn-out is a big problem in the professions:– There is a spectrum of burn-out– It comes on gradually– You can experience it in degrees– PREVENTION is the key

Reasons for burn-out

• Lack of control over many aspects of your job

• Unclear expectations in the workplace

• Dysfunctional dynamics

• Mismatch of values

• Poor job fit

• High activity level- energy needs

So Why Am I Qualified to Talk About This?

• Students often make the best teachers• I want you to learn from my successes and

mistakes• It is important to establish good habits early• Taking care of yourself makes you a better

clinician- we need you to stay!• You can apply the same work ethic to this as

you do to everything else- win/win!

Reflect for a moment…

• Why are you going into this field?

• What are your expectations about what it will be like?

• Think about what your professional life will entail- honestly

• WOW.

Signs of Stress

• Stress can be acute or chronic• Stress can be positive or negative

– Tension– Headaches– Rapid heart beat– Nausea– Irritability– Frequent illness

Signs of Stress

– Muscle aches– Sadness– Weight gain or loss– Sleep issues– Feeling overwhelmed– Lack of focus– Procrastination

Mind-Body Connection

• Each affects the other

• Attitude is key in maintaining health

• Stress can impact your immune system and health

More Secrets of the Professions

• You have a solid education, but….

• You may never be…..

• So….– Deep breath

So What Can You DO?

• First, what does balanced living mean to you?

• What is most important to you in your life?– Thanks to Joan Celebi for the following 10

Habits of Healthy Balanced Living; material used with her permission

Habit #1

• The ART of extreme self-care– Get enough sleep– Take care of your basic physical needs

FIRST– Check in with yourself regularly– Drink plenty of water– Get light/sun every day– Don’t give up your lunch or breaks

Habit #1

• Think for a moment about your basic needs-- are they being taken care of now?

• Think about boundaries- the art of saying NO

• Would this be in the lifeboat?

Habit #2

• SIMPLIFY your life: How can you get things done without losing yourself?– Delegate– Low tech is ok– Use what is already made clinically– Use collection points

Habit #2

• Looking at your To-DO List– What can you cross off completely?– What can be deferred to another time?– How can you downshift extra

commitments?– Be sure to block time for yourself and – Make time to tame your calendar/schedule

Habit #3

• Get HELP. Share.– What tasks can you outsource?– You don’t need to “Do It ALL.”

Habit #4

• Get support– Importance of peers, especially in CF year– Good supervision is critical/partnership– Network (MSHA membership!!!)– Buddy up at work

Habit #5

• Have FUN as often as possible– Think of it as Vitamin F– Maintain your hobbies– Maintain your friendships, esp. with non-

SLPs and Auds– No Work Talk Zone

Habit #6

• Make Time for Exercise– Do what you love– Make it an appointment– Do it with friends– Even a 5-10 minute walk at lunch can help

you regroup

Habit #7

• Smile and Laugh-OFTEN– Build this into your sessions– Laughter boosts the immune system– It helps you maintain perspective too

Habit #8

• Be in the Moment– Hang onto your passion; remember why

you are here– Go easy on yourself– Be present with your client-

MINDFULNESS– Remember that even on your worst day….

Habit #9

• Keep yourself in sight– Be a good advocate for yourself– Develop your voice– Honor yourself as the powerful and

important person that you are– Use stress management techniques– Set goals for your self-care

Setting Goals

• Goals should be SMART– Specific– Measurable– Achievable– Risk: allow you to stretch– Time limited

Habit #10

• Hold onto your hats

• Throw perfection out the window– Maintain the eagle view– Use your resources well– Avoid burn-out

Closing Thoughts

• Questions and answers– Thank you and be good to yourself!