Time is a funny thing. Often people complain that they don’t have enough money. Money is something you can generate by selling something, finding another job or by becoming a politician…
Time, on the other hand, cannot be generated. There is no printing press for it, we can’t go back and we don’t know how to read the future. If you do, please send me the lotto numbers for the next draw?
When you work in the disability sector, like I do, it often happens that people expect you to do things in your own time that will bennifit the sector. No problem, you need to be different than the rest if you want to work in this sector.
But my question is this: Where do you draw the line? How much of your own time should you give away to work of any kind?
Is a human being like a bar of soap that will slowly melt away if you give away too much of yourself?
Is that why burn out occurs?
If you are in the unlucky position where you have to listen to SABC radio or television, you will know the advertisement where the lady croaks out: “For the love of the gaaaame.” This happens at the end of the advertisements for sports games. You know the one, where she sounds like she has tremendous indigestion and trying to take a dump? That slogan.
You know, sometimes you just have to shut off. No matter how much you love the game, spend time with yourself and your family. It’s well and good, but if you go home, leave your work in the office. Mute Whatsapp groups that remind you of work. Don’t take calls from colleagues — even if they are your friends. Switch on your do not disturb function. The world can cope without you for a few hours or a few days. Trust me, nobody is indispensable. If you don’t believe me, somehow manage to dy. People will morn you, but life will go on without you.
I cannot say this enough: Spend your energy where it matters most. If it’s at your work, so be it. But don’t cry when you start losing people and when you slowly disintegrate in the howling maelstrom of “for the love of the gaaaame.”