A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

BURNT OUT-HELP! - old and tired MT

Posted: Oct 01, 2010

Can't seem to stay focused, even when there is work. I'm just exhausted - it's not physical, I've been checked out and I'm already on antidepressants (LOL). Does anyone have any fresh and new ideas? I try taking breaks, but then I truly have to drag myself back in here....... I'm afraid to change companies as I really like it where I'm at and other than sometimes running out of work have no complaints there! I've been doing this since Nixon was in office, so Lordy, Lordy I've seen it all. Any ideas and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

burn out - victor

[ In Reply To ..]
Know what you mean? I began in 1976...long time ago. Had to break away for awhile and do something else.

It depends on your financial situation. I get like - this about SM

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2 times a year. The only thing that helps me is to take a few days off and "veg". I watch TV, read, try to get my mind out of my own life and problems. I just feel that a few "mental health" days every now and then is more important than the money. Take care of yourself.

I SO hear where you are at (see message) - lka

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You are telling my story also. I am soon to be 63 and have worked since I was 17 and just see life passing me by. Been doing this for about 25 years. I feel like I am in just "slow motion" when it comes to working. Just recently I went from full time and I tell you, it makes all the difference. If you can do that financially, why not think about that? I have learned to live on very little over the past 3 years, as I have not had a decent salary for 2 years. I do collect social security widow benefits, but I really have very little money left over. I am even paying medical bills each month along with rent and utilities. No credit card debt for a long time. I really treasure my FREE time so much, even if I don't get out of my PJs all day. I do love to read so that really sustains me a lot. It's just good not to be "tied" to this desk. Feel free to email me if you ever want to talk more. Take care of you in the meantime.

try this - cl

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Pick out a couple of things you would like to buy. Take a small piece of posterboard, like the size of a piece of paper and make a collage and hang it in front of your desk, so that you can physically see what you are working towards. I am doing that because I am having a harder and harder time forcing myself to sit and work. I work seven days a week and never have a break, so I totally understand what you are going through. Also it sounds like you actually have an office or a seperate room that you work in, lucky you, I am at a desk in my dining room/living room combination, but if you have a separate office, redecorate it, even if it is a new coat of paint to something that you really like to help encourage yourself to go in there and work. Sometimes a change of scenery helps a whole lot. Good luck and I feel for you!

I make it a contest... - clunybrown

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I don't know how fresh or new this idea is, but in order to keep focused and try to be productive I make it a contest. Can I outdo the number of lines I did the hour before by even 4-5 lines (or even maintain the previous number of lines)? Can I begin to implement some new shortcut we're supposed to be using? I don't do this each and every hour, but it does help keep me interested and engaged. Hey, I remember what street I was driving down when I heard the news on my car radio that Nixon was stepping down so we're probably close in age. I'm hoping to transition out of MT after 22 years and back into clerical, but until I can I use my little mind tricks to get by :)

HOT TUB!!! - moonchild

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I could not do this work without one. Helps to relieve the stress and free the mind.

Right there too... - Ancient MT

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I am exactly where you are now. I decreased my days down to four but still have a hard time working my full shift which is supposed to be 6 hours...have made my full shift probably once. Like you, I like the company I'm with, the dictators are great and the dictation system is the best I've worked on (except for maybe the one MRC used to have and that wasn't even digital). After working even 3 or 4 hours, I feel like I've been working all day at a very physical job. I'm either working, resting from working, catching up on stuff that didn't get done while I was working or resting, and sleeping. I'm in your age bracket and even a little bit older so I feel like I want more time to do things I like to do. I changed my schedule to where I have 3 days off in a row and that has helped a lot, but still get sooo exhausted transcribing. Maybe I need to go back to using my clickety-clack keyboard...I think that helped me stay awake when I used it. But it takes up too much desk space so have been using my laptop keyboard. It will be interesting to see what others in our age range have to say. Hang in there! There is an answer, just have to keep looking.

Burn Out Help - anon

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I'm with everyone. Seems like we are all around the same age with 20+ years experience. Unfortunately, I don't have a hot tub. My shift is split to take care of my GD who is 6 after school, so I work from 1-3:30 and 6-10. This is not working for me. I have Friday and Saturday off and only work 32 hours. I have never worked evenings before and am up at 7. I am not a napper, but I have only been doing this schedule for 2 weeks and I am exhausted and can't get a good line count. Wish I had a hot tub, all I have is a plain old bathtub. It sure is hell getting old. Can't retire if we want to eat.

I have tried it all - still burned out. - Fingers

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I stop and take breaks, take a walk, play music, and clean and redecorate the office often. I really like what I do and it's too late to get into something else, but some days I just dread the thought of coming in here all day. It is really all in your mind. You have always done it, been good at it, and enjoyed it. I don't know how you get back to the "freshness" that it used to be. With low pay, VR, and very few incentives, some days it just seems like a lost cause.

I am thinking about catching up on all of my unfinished business around the house, clean everything, and then take a weekend or two just to get away. Not far, not expensive, and not long, maybe just enough to give me a new attitude. I also often think about the people I know really suffering financially, and people with no job or people losing their homes. I have really got to believe the "you are lucky to have a job" statement again because it is true. There is always someone worse off than you.

Sorry I couldn't help any more than that because I really do get where you are coming from.

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