Susan Fenner's blog

I always used to think that burnout happened when you worked too hard for too long without any respite. It was the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that resulted. In the past, we’ve all experienced bouts of burnout that might have been cyclic, seasonal, or occasional. But lately, many of us have been living with it daily. With the downturn in the economy, companies have cut back on staff, funding, and resources to support all the work that needs to be done. In fact, as we struggle with having less, we’re being asked to do more.

Today you can get Internet advice on how to build a cedar deck, find a mate for life, and receive a medical diagnosis. What used to require face-to-face encounters can now be swiftly and conveniently handled in cyberspace. No muss, no fuss, no problems…well, maybe a few.

Here’s some tried and true advice on how to establish a strong virtual working relationship and keep it going over time.

I’ve seen people who have tried to sabotage their bosses. Sometimes it’s because they have lost respect for them, knowing all the inner dealings and want their exec to get his due. Other times it’s because they’ve covered for them so often, they have an inflated sense of self worth and underestimate what the job entails, thinking they could step into their manager’s shoes and take over with no problem at all. Or sometimes, it’s just that they don’t like their superior or the way they’ve been treated by him and feel that a coup is in order.

Q. Please help….At my current job, I have basically nothing to do for approximately half the work day. My talents and skills are being vastly underutilized. I’m bored! What can I do?

A. Try to make the best of it. Here are some positive things you can do in the new job: