BURNOUT PROOF The VRS interpreter’s guide to a long and happy career Breana Cross Hall B.S., CI/CT CTA Certified Coach
To identify areas of self care, internal controls & self awareness that help prevent burnout in VRS.
Burnout: “a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment that can occur among individuals who work with other people in some capacity.” (Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1997)
Safe BRAVE & Supportive Space
It's All About You
It's All About You What do you hope to get out of this workshop? 1
Contributing factors (McCartney 2006) ● stress associated with pay ● role conflict level ● role overload ● interpreters’ perceptions of ● poor working conditions job demands/controls ● unrealistic expectations ● cumulative trauma of the interpreter disorders (including carpal ● unrealistic expectations tunnel syndrome) of the interpreter by ● misconceptions on the others interpreter’s and consumer’s parts
More VRS burnout Factors ● Multiple energy exchanges (hundreds per day!) ● Historically independent contractors in corporate setting ● Quantitative measurement of our work
Effects of burnout ● Alienation, cynicism, lack of empathy and emotions, or aggression (The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, n.d.) ● One study showed that VRS interpreters experience greater psychological distress than interpreters in the other three work settings. (Dean, Pollard, & Somar, 2010)
Costs of burnout Maslach, 1982 ● health problems ● psychological impairment ● loss of self-esteem ● A growing dissatisfaction with the job ● Negative impacts on the Deaf caller ● Negative impacts on the VRS industry ● Negative impacts on the employee’s family ● Negative impacts on society in general
What are the costs? 1
Why do we do it? Why did you start working at VRS? Or as an interpreter in general? Why do you continue doing it? Get very honest about your reasons.
Why Make a Change? 2
Levels of change VI: What is within my control? VRS Users Employer/VRS Companies FCC Regulation
Burnout Proof Self Care
Cultivate Healthy Boundaries
Energy budget IN OUT Energized Resentment Centered Ailments Confident Crisis Respected Obligation Clarity Anxiety In choice Depression Vibrant Exhaustion
What activities? IN OUT Energized Resentment Centered Ailments Confident Crisis Respected Obligation Clarity Anxiety In choice Depression Vibrant Exhaustion
3 Keys to Better boundaries for VRS Interpreting ● Set clear intentions ● Listen for your “Heck, YES!” ● Treat yourself the way you want to be treated
Set Clear Intentions ● What’s in my control? ● What’s my goal? ● Do I choose this work fully? ● What do I contribute? ● What are my non-negotiables?
Listen for the “Heck, Yes!” When making decisions ● Get quiet & pay attention ● Does my body feel light or heavy? ● Am I doing this out of obligation? ● Do I feel drawn toward this, or do I feel a clenching in my core?
Treat yourself the way you want to be treated ● You teach people how to treat you ● Care for & respect yourself first
3 Keys to Better boundaries for VRS Interpreting ● Set clear intentions ● Listen for your “Heck, YES!” ● Treat yourself the way you want to be treated 5
Address Stress Improve Mindset
3 Ways to Address Stress for VRS Interpreters ● Practice mindfulness ● Ask “Whose business is it?” ● Try Tapping
Practice Mindfulness ● Just Breathe. ● Name your emotions & sensations ● Grounding
Whose business is it? 3 Kinds of business: ● Mine ● Yours ● God’s (nature, the universe, reality…)
Do Not Announce
Do Not Announce “This would go more smoothly if I could just announce myself as the interpreter.”
Try EFT Tapping ● Emotional Freedom Technique ● Tapping near end points of energy meridians ● Address stress, pain, energy levels, focus, & sleep
Try Tapping 1. Rate your discomfort 1-10 2. Set-up: “Even though I’m mad that the hearing caller said that, I still love and accept myself completely.” 3. Reminder phrases: “I’m mad.” “The HC shouldn’t say that.” “I hate feeling like this.” “I wonder what it would be like not to feel like this.” “I’m ready to not feel so mad.” 4. Deep breath & rate again 1-10
3 Ways to Address Stress for VRS Interpreters ● Practice mindfulness ● Ask “Whose business is it?” ● Try Tapping 6
Never Stop Growing
3 Ways to Build Skills ● Have a goal ● Find a mentor or workshop ● Team with intention
Personal Skill-Building Ideas ● Clear fingerspelling ● Address bias ● Consistent use of space ● Smoother turn-taking ● Modulate volume 7
Use Your Resources
Benefits of using resources ● Connection with others = Feeling less alone ● Gives others permission to ask for help ● We all grow! ● Learn something new ● Reduce stress
Who/What are my Resources ● Mentors ● Colleagues ● RID chapter ● Conferences ● Social Media 8
Get ongoing encouragement and Burnout Proofing tips. Connect with your colleagues. Be part of the self-care revolution.
Work for Change Service as Self-Care
3 Ways to Work for Change ● Host a TerpTalk, IPAHH, or Burnout Proof group ● Share your gifts: Teach/Mentor ● Volunteer at your local school for the Deaf 9
Burnout Proof ● Boundaries ● Mindset ● Skills ● Resources ● Service
The Whole Me
The Whole Me
1. Big Rocks ● Mother ● Interpreter ● Wellness Coach ● Activist ● Friend
2. Why is each important? ● Interpreter: I value equity in communication access. I care about the rights and needs of the Deaf community. ● Wellness Coach: I feel such joy supporting women in taking better care of themselves. This lights me up inside! It’s what I was born to do.
3. How do you want to feel? ● Interpreter: Competent & Kind ● Wellness Coach: Centered, Open, Curious, Compassionate ● Mom: Joyful, Peaceful & Connected
4. What do you need? ● Interpreter: In order to feel Competent & Kind, I need regular skill development & personal growth. My cup needs to be full. I need a work environment that challenges me.
5. What Else? ● Daily exercise ● 8 hours of sleep ● Food that feels good in my body ● Hour lunch break to get outside ● Calming bedtime routine
6. What Gets in the way? Look at your list of what puts you outside your energy budget ● Overscheduling ● “Emergencies” ● Too tired ● Financial constraints
7. One thing I designate Sundays as family days & prep for the upcoming week.
Make it yours What am I taking away?
Make healthy self-care habits stick in 6 weeks. Begin Now 1.5 GS CEUs bit.ly/BurnoutProofBootcamp
Reclaim Your Life Book your free coaching session brighterfocus.com
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