“When’s the last time
you took a vacation?”
“Does a long weekend count?” I replied to our 17 year old
summer intern.
“Long weekend doesn’t count,
nor going to visit your parents, or going to weddings or anything like
that…When’s the last time you took a vacation? Like a full week, like 7 days?”
Her question was easy enough, it shouldn’t have taken me so
long to answer.. .A full week? It seemed so foreign to even think about. I didn’t even take the day after Christmas
off. In 2012, I took that long weekend for my friend’s wedding in July…but a
full week? Never in my radio career…ever.
Lately I’ve been working a lot…Even my dog has given me the
eye as to say “Varga slow your roll”. It’s
really ground me down. I’ve been feeling so insecure about things lately. My performance, my personal and professional relationships,
my career direction all have been sources of sleepless nights…At times the
thought has even past my mind.. “Am I burnt out”?
My worst fear, one that I had coming out of college, to be
not even 26 and be burnt out. To be full of talent but be so fried you’re
thrown on the scrap heap, because you’re “Damaged”. It’s a hard feeling, the feeling that your
dream won’t be realized, that your path might end right there in-front of your
eyes. It’s a feeling that can send you into
a tailspin into depression, a feeling that can put you into a place that pushes
people away, and unknowingly, YOU push yourself onto that scrap heap before
anyone else has the opportunity to.
Self-defeat, we’ve talked about it sinking you as a young
broadcaster…It’s everywhere…When you’ve been overworked, when you look at your paycheck and your debt and shake your head because you know
this dream isn’t paying it down fast enough. When your friends invite you to go out but you
can’t because you don’t have it in your budget, and you have to work in the
morning anyway even if it was. This is
where the self-defeat, the questions, the feelings of being burnt out creep in
muddying your brain making you think your path isn’t there that your dream isn’t
obtainable…
It takes a strong person to admit that they aren’t at the
top of their game, that something is wrong. Especially when you’re a young
broadcaster trying to prove yourself trying every day to show you belong. However just by being you and putting the
tough work in, saying yes when other’s say no, and going above and beyond your
situation will prove it, but you need to consider this.. You can’t say yes, you
can’t go above and beyond without giving yourself a chance to recharge.
Just like your phone you need to take time to recharge. Some people have bigger batteries than
others, it happens it’s life. So know the size of your battery and just because
I haven’t taken a full on VK in 2 and half years ish and just now feeling
empty, doesn’t mean that’s appropriate about you. So please find your balance…but no matter the
size of your battery find a way to recharge it…If you’re like me, you can’t
take a full fledge vacation because of budget and life restrictions this is
where little moments will help zap a little life into your battery.
Get a dog, and walk
your dog, don’t bring your cell phone,
just go out and have some one on one time with this animal that doesn’t
care if you messed up at work, or that you’re stressed all they care about is
that you love them and they are outside.
The key to this is getting outside, getting some natural vitamins…encounter
some beautiful women or men…and let’s be honest the fresh air does wonders to
shake of the nasty smells that pop up in the studio. If you have a cat and feel compelled to walk
it, I dig weird but be prepared for those beautiful women or men to laugh at
you.
Secondly, Interact with your listeners…Get to know them,
when appropriate even feel free to hug them. Take in that excitement they have
because they see you, or they won a prize or something and use it a little bit
for you. It’s amazing boost when you
meet a listener and they tell you about their lives and all of a sudden
you realize you’re not even close to the point you thought you were…It’s quite
amazing and will strengthen your relationships with your listeners too.
Thirdly, Don’t go it alone, I’m sure I’ve mentioned this
before. But open yourself up to trust peers. It’s not weak to share your
feelings, and when you being to talk with other professionals it truly shows
how you aren't the only one with 100 bricks on your back. So whether it’s through twitter, e-mail,
facebook message, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect but as you speak, remember
it’s a two way street and listening is just as important.
And finally, If you don’t have a lot of money in your pocket
like myself…Put aside any unbudgeted money you get for yourself. Maybe it’s
just going out to dinner, or going out for a night with friends and just seeing
where it takes you…Although be responsible and take a page from Prince Harry,
you’re still in the public light…and you have to work in the morning.
