How to be more intentional,
think more clearly,
do more consistently,
and have what really matters.
Burnout vs. enthusiasm
Dick Biggs
Burnout is the extinguishing of your spiritual, mental, physical, or emotional enthusiasm. Within these four areas, burnout often occurs because:
_ A single, dominant interest becomes your life - the zealot, the workaholic, the exercise fanatic, the dominating parent, etc.
_ You commit to so many dominant interests that your circuits become overloaded.
Enthusiasm is the driving force behind exceptional achievement. It`s the difference between going through the motions and succeeding. The Greek word is enthouslasmos, which means "to be filled with spirit."
The challenge is to be balanced enough to burn brightly without burning out. You can`t do your best if you don`t feel your best. That`s why good health is so critical to your peak performance.
The following Eight Elite Enhancers of Longer Life can help you lessen the risks of burnout and optimize your enthusiasm:
o Get the proper amount of sleep and relaxation.
o Have regular, complete preventive medical and dental exams. (A medical exam should include stress- and cancer-screening tests.)
o Eat a balanced, sensible diet and maintain the proper weight.
o Exercise aerobically, reasonably, and consistently.
o Avoid all tobacco products.
o Avoid drugs and use alcohol in moderation, if at all.
o Use home smoke detectors and wear vehicle seat belts.
o Laugh often, particularly at yourself.
Millstone is defined as "a heavy burden" and milestone as "a significant point in development." Don`t let burnout be your millstone, because this "heavy burden" doesn`t have to happen. Let enthusiasm be the milestone that marks you as a person who lives life to the utmost spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Dick Biggs is president of Biggs Optimal Living Dynamics. An inspirational speaker, he is the author of If Life Is a Balancing Act, Why Am I So Darn Clumsy? For more information about Mr. Biggs, call (770) 886-3035. His Web site is http://biggspeaks.home.mindspring. com.
