Your reputation sets the standard of human performance factors. Are too many people making demands on your time in issues unrelated to safety —simply because you've of your reputation as the go-to solver of all problems? Does this cause you to feel overextended with too many items on your task lists and dwindling minutes to accomplish them? If this is you, you're not alone. Professional burnout might be imminent, even with the best intentions. Here's the good news: you can turn this pattern around. The very first step to reverse the trend is to recognize that sometimes you are the very cause of that chaos in your brain. So are you ready to unchain your brain from the shackles of work burnout? Deep breath. Here's what you do. Get out a pen and paper--Yes, that's right, nothing electronic--and write down everything you need to accomplish on a particular day at work. This process helps the brain remember and clarify all the work tasks that have to be undertaken. These tasks can be both significant and trivial. The important thing is to write them down. Be clear about what it is you stand for. What is your purpose as a person in the culture of safety in your organization, not just as a safety leader? What is the desired outcome of what you want to accomplish and from there you can determine the path ahead to achieve those desired goals? The key here is to be present in every moment. If your mind drifts to what you don't want to happen, train your mind back on the stated purpose. This will help keep you present and in the moment. Here are 10 practical steps to taking control of your day as a safety leader:

1. Spend the first 30-60 minutes of each day to focus on your mind and body. This can take the form of exercise or quiet contemplation.
2. Identify the key tasks for your day, and have a plan for how you'll accomplish them. Do this before you leave your home for work.
3. Book your mornings during peak performance hours. For most people these peak hours are between 8:00-11:00 am. If possible, work uninterrupted during this time and avoid scheduling meetings.
4. Book meetings after lunch after your peak performance hours. Use these meetings to recharge your brain for the afternoon.
5. Schedule e-mail time. Yes, that's right. Are you the type of person who checks email throughout the day and night? This is a huge time waste and can keep you from getting actual work done. Keep up your momentum!
6. Turn off notifications. It's easy to get interrupted by social media alerts that have no impact on human performance factors.
7. Do an after-action review of your day. This should be done in the last 15 minutes of your workday, ideally. Think about what happened during your day and compare this to what was supposed to happen. Find ways to improve this process the next day.
8. Commit to a hard stop. Determine what time you will leave the office and then hold yourself to this time.
9. Get a good night's rest. Studies suggest you should be getting a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep.
10. Focus on your improving your craft. Invest your time in learning how others have successfully overcome that feeling of being overwhelmed.

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Dave Blanchard | Aug 14, 2019 - Do you ever pass by a mirror at work and not recognize yourself? Are too many people making demands on your time that aren’t even safety issues—just because you’ve got the reputation as a problem-solver? Do you sometimes feel like your brain is full, with no room for anything else? In short, do you have too much to do and too little time to do it?

If so, then chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed. But the good news, according to Joe Korpi, manager, safety and health at Renewable Energy Group, a producer and supplier of renewable fuels and chemicals, is there’s help for you.

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