Feeling frazzled by work? Exhausted at the end of your working week? Feeling overwhelmed?
Feeling frazzled by work? Exhausted at the end of your working week? Feeling overwhelmed?
Have you heard of the concept of the “85/15 work rule”? This concept was designed to help people avoid burnout at work. The concept suggests that we should aim to spend 85% of our working time on tasks and activities that align with our core responsibilities and goals, while dedicating the remaining 15% to self-care and activities that promote well-being and prevent burnout. We can already hear people groan when they read that, and I am sure there’s a roll of your eyes 😊.
Have you heard of the concept of the “85/15 work rule”? This concept was designed to help people avoid burnout at work. The concept suggests that we should aim to spend 85% of our working time on tasks and activities that align with our core responsibilities and goals, while dedicating the remaining 15% to self-care and activities that promote well-being and prevent burnout. We can already hear people groan when they read that, and I am sure there’s a roll of your eyes 😊.
Firstly, what is burnout? It’s a state of physical or emotional exhaustion often caused by prolonged periods of high stress and overwork. To prevent it, it’s essential to strike a balance between work and self-care. Research by LumApp shows that an enormous 88% of UK employees have experienced some sort of burnout over the last two years, with one third claiming to suffer mental and physical exhaustion due to pressures within the workplace.
Firstly, what is burnout? It’s a state of physical or emotional exhaustion often caused by prolonged periods of high stress and overwork. To prevent it, it’s essential to strike a balance between work and self-care. Research by LumApp shows that an enormous 88% of UK employees have experienced some sort of burnout over the last two years, with one third claiming to suffer mental and physical exhaustion due to pressures within the workplace.
We have all heard about the ‘great resignation’ in which, workers left their jobs in record numbers after the pandemic, there is no doubt attitudes to work are shifting. Have you heard about #Quiet Quitting (doing the bare minimum at work), and references to ‘Lazy Girl Jobs’ (that pay well enough for you to live comfortably but don’t consume too much of your time and energy) as they are popping up on social media platforms like TikTok, more and more.
So, is operating at only 85% slacking? Is the 85/15 rule a happy medium that we should all be working to? What about building into your workday some self-care and knowing that your best is good enough?
Here’s how the 85/15 rule can be applied to avoid burnout:
We have all heard about the ‘great resignation’ in which, workers left their jobs in record numbers after the pandemic, there is no doubt attitudes to work are shifting. Have you heard about #Quiet Quitting (doing the bare minimum at work), and references to ‘Lazy Girl Jobs’ (that pay well enough for you to live comfortably but don’t consume too much of your time and energy) as they are popping up on social media platforms like TikTok, more and more.
So, is operating at only 85% slacking? Is the 85/15 rule a happy medium that we should all be working to? What about building into your workday some self-care and knowing that your best is good enough?
Here’s how the 85/15 rule can be applied to avoid burnout:
Focus on Core Responsibilities (85%):
Dedicate the majority of your working time to tasks and projects that directly contribute to your professional goals and responsibilities. Plan you work around when you are most effective. If you are a morning person, prioritise your most important and high-impact tasks during this time and save the smaller tasks for at the end of the day using the 1-3-5 tool. Take from your to do list one big task, three medium tasks and five small tasks and focus on them for the day.
Time management is crucial when implementing the 85/15 rule. This means, you plan your day, set your boundaries, and avoid overloading yourself with work. Be mindful of your energy levels and take breaks when needed. Can you agree in your team that you communicate those boundaries to colleagues, managers, and clients to ensure that your work time is used efficiently and that you’re not constantly overwhelmed with extra tasks. Think about your workload before overcommitting yourself and saying yes to every request.
Focus on Core Responsibilities (85%):
Dedicate the majority of your working time to tasks and projects that directly contribute to your professional goals and responsibilities. Plan you work around when you are most effective. If you are a morning person, prioritise your most important and high-impact tasks during this time and save the smaller tasks for at the end of the day using the 1-3-5 tool. Take from your to do list one big task, three medium tasks and five small tasks and focus on them for the day.
Time management is crucial when implementing the 85/15 rule. This means, you plan your day, set your boundaries, and avoid overloading yourself with work. Be mindful of your energy levels and take breaks when needed. Can you agree in your team that you communicate those boundaries to colleagues, managers, and clients to ensure that your work time is used efficiently and that you’re not constantly overwhelmed with extra tasks. Think about your workload before overcommitting yourself and saying yes to every request.
Self-Care and Well-Being (15%):
Can you take short breaks throughout the working day? Could you take a short walk around the building or grab 5 mins of fresh air to reset? Taking 5 minutes from your desk can help with any feelings of being overwhelmed. Remember if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, HR department, or employee assistance programs for support and resources to manage stress and prevent burnout.
The 85/15 rule is merely a guideline, and the specific percentages may need adjustment based on your unique circumstances and job requirements. The key is to maintain a balance between your work-related responsibilities and self-care to promote long-term well-being and reduce the risk of burnout.
Employers – the way of working is changing. The people you recruit will expect a different way of working and less toxic ‘culture’ than what we had pre pandemic. If you aren’t doing so already, it’s time to change the old way of doing things and embrace the change, otherwise you will be left behind.
If you need some people advice get in touch with us!
Self-Care and Well-Being (15%):
Can you take short breaks throughout the working day? Could you take a short walk around the building or grab 5 mins of fresh air to reset? Taking 5 minutes from your desk can help with any feelings of being overwhelmed. Remember if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, HR department, or employee assistance programs for support and resources to manage stress and prevent burnout.
The 85/15 rule is merely a guideline, and the specific percentages may need adjustment based on your unique circumstances and job requirements. The key is to maintain a balance between your work-related responsibilities and self-care to promote long-term well-being and reduce the risk of burnout.
Employers – the way of working is changing. The people you recruit will expect a different way of working and less toxic ‘culture’ than what we had pre pandemic. If you aren’t doing so already, it’s time to change the old way of doing things and embrace the change, otherwise you will be left behind.
If you need some people advice, get in touch with us!
