burnout in careers | The Burnout Queens

Email skills up to snuff? Part 2

October 4, 2017

Last week I shared my HSP reaction to the first of five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails. It’s a great Inc.com article we love to share, and you can catch the first blog here: https://theburnoutqueens.com/email-skills-up-to-snuff/

This week I want to share my HSP thoughts on the second of the five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails.

2. Choosing email instead of private messaging.

If you are an HSP like me, there is nothing worse than getting mounds of emails in your inbox each morning (and throughout the day). It sets my ‘overwhelm button’ into virtual overdrive.

I have to admit I used to be guilty of doing this, but no more. When I get it from others though, I thank my lucky stars I listened to Dr Toby saying “quit while you’re ahead!”

What am I talking about?

This article suggests using a private messaging system or sending a text is the perfect way to send off a one-liner to friends, family and colleagues. Don’t keep sending back replies to emails.

How many times have you sent your final thoughts or suggestions for business in an email and the receiver keeps replying with small little phrases to keep the email conversation alive (did I just hear Dr T’s voice again). There is always someone who keeps the string attached by replying ‘ok’, or ‘you’re welcome…no problem’, or ‘me too’, or just ‘yep’. This creates at least five extra emails returning to my inbox.

I DON’T LIKE CROWDS. This is crazy and annoying. I just want to say ‘enough already’, but that would net me another reply I’m sure…

…’sorry’!

Next time you are about to hit the reply button with a little extra something, you might want to try to eliminate the urge to be the ‘nice-friendly-person.’ I think the receiver will understand (I know I will be relieved).

Number three next week. If you have a comment or agree (and disagree) with me, leave your thoughts below. We love hearing from other HSPs!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

PS: If you want to read the original article click here https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-email-mistakes-that-make-you-look-extremely-unprofessional.html?cid=email

Are you receiving feedback or criticism

January 19, 2017

A recent Inc.com article caught my eye. “It Took Sheryl Sandberg Exactly 2 Sentences to Give the Best Career Advice You’ll Hear Today”.

Well that sounded pretty impressive, so when I opened it up it really was talking about her opinion on receiving feedback. Excellent I thought, because the women we work with are highly sensitive and often can spot so-called feedback for what it really is ‘criticism’.

Read this article and see why feedback (even on the negative spectrum) can be a positive force for opportunity and criticism…well can just be hurtful and unhelpful. (The Article)

Well, have you finished? What do you think? Leave your comments below.

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Seeking Beauty

October 20, 2016

“Oh I can’t afford beautiful things”…

How often I hear this from women who are in jobs they hate, barely making ends meet and thinking they won’t find beauty in their life until something changes.

Well, something can change and that something is how we seek beauty.

You don’t have to purchase anything to have beauty in your life. Here’s one of the ways I seek beauty.

Stress instantly gets replaced by beauty when I walk into a beautiful florist shop. Gorgeous flower displays in a shop window entice me in. I just let the colours, smells and atmosphere start filling my brain with happiness. It’s a beautiful thing.

As always, thank you Florian the Florist, Hove! It’s always a delight to step inside your shop!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Quirky doesn’t mean crazy!

August 18, 2016

This page on our website (you’ve been to our website right!) gets people breathing a sigh of relief every time they read it!

If you’ve heard you are ‘too’ something all your life, you might want to check out our Top 14 ‘too’ words that sum up being highly sensitive.

Have a read and remember, it doesn’t make you crazy…just sort of quirky.

Top 14 “YOU’RE TOO” phrases Highly Sensitive People hear!

‘too’ emotional
‘too’ shy
‘too’ intense
‘too’ serious
‘too’ moody
‘too’ artsy
‘too’ idealistic
‘too’ neurotic

There are more obviously but it all ends with You’re Just Too Sensitive!

Have you heard these ‘too’ words all your life? They don’t make you crazy, although we bet you have felt like you were every time you heard them. No, these just mean you are a HSP – Highly Sensitive Person.

At the Burnout Queens we celebrate being Highly Sensitive! We’re HSPs ourselves, and we are No shrinking violets! Being an HSP means you are strong, bold, creative, quirky, and much more. Find out what it really means to be highly sensitive and how it affects everything from your identity to your relationships.

Highly Sensitive

The #1 feedback on this page is…”thank you, I thought I was just crazy all my life!” Nectar to our ears!

Embrace the True You! The Burnout Queens xx

I Work Differently Now and Love It!

August 17, 2016

Over the last months we have been working, working, working on new programmes, by choice…but have to say…working ‘overtime’ certainly doesn’t resemble the past. Then it was 18 hour days; racing from office, to hospital, to university, to private practice, then home quickly to look after ill cats and aging parents. It was madness but necessary and unavoidable.

On the contrary, these days work often starts with a quiet dog walk to the park, a breakfast looking out the roof terrace at the English Channel, a walk to the local for bread and dinner dessert, a play time with dogs, and afternoon tea break to clear the head.

Sounds too good to be true? Sometimes it feels it! After living a life of unrelenting stress and strain and driving ourselves into the ground (literally) this new life of enlightened balance (aka burnout-free lifestyle) makes our hearts sing!

And that’s blissful!

Can you make a few changes to your usual routine to make life more enjoyable?

Love, The Burnout Queens xx