I just read an article about someone’s totally bogus opinion of “job burnout.” It made me realize some people actually are (or think they are) “burned out.”

A quick search on Amazon revealed 580 books that address the subject of “job burn out” or use that phrase in the title. Yikes!

The article I read proposed a remedy of “do less and you’ll avoid burnout.” It also recommended that to avoid excessive workload, you should not be overly accommodating, avoid people who drain your energy and not overwork yourself. In other words: You’ll still hate it, but you’ll hate it less.

Although burnout and stress are real, often they’re self-imposed feelings that you can overcome. Burnout manifests itself in your daily talk until it’s embedded into your psyche. Not good.

START HERE: Begin your self-actualization by asking reality-based questions of yourself. Write down the answers.

• How much do you love your job?

• What’s the BEST part of your job?

• What would you rather be doing?

• Where would you rather be working that could afford you the same or better opportunity (not just money)?

Being or feeling “burned-out” or “stressed-out” is not a problem; it’s a symptom. “Why” you feel you’re burned out is the heart of the situation.

Once you ask yourself these questions, it’s time to DO SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT IT. Relief begins when you identify the cause, and then continues when you create your own answers and your own truths. By doing this, you change your thought pattern from burned out to ON FIRE!

Action one: Write down what you believe is causing the stressful feelings.

Action two: Write down what you believe the remedy could be.

Action three: Beside each remedy, write down what you or others could be doing.

Action four: Write down the likelihood of these remedies occurring.

Action five: Write down your ideal job or career, and then write down what you have to do or learn to get there.

DECIDE if you are in or out. If in, rededicate yourself to personal excellence. If out, get out quickly.

REALITY: Based on your present situation (family, debt, obligations), you may just have to endure it for a while, but if you have identified causes and remedies, calm begins to occur. You have it under control. You’re making decisions.

Here are a few suggestions for what will take you from “burnout” mode into a more positive and hopeful frame of mind:

1. Start your day with the three most important things you want to accomplish.

2. Cancel all stupid and time-wasting meetings.

3. Stop talking about things that don’t matter, especially other people.

4. Focus on outcome, not just task.

5. Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to thinking by yourself.

6. Get rid of three major time wasters (attention diverters): Facebook notifications at work (unless it’s business Facebook); personal emails; and personal calls.

7. Go home from work and read instead of watch. Start with my “Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude.”

7.5. Review your accomplishments at the end of each day, to both praise yourself and challenge yourself. Write them down.

Restart your personal fire. Give yourself a chance to become “BEST” at your job and your career. Never give in to self-defeat. Decide every day that you can only be your best by doing your best.

Become BEST, not burnt.