Don't Conflagrate; Contemplate!
The Learning Curve, p. 2, Winter 2013
UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper
4 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2013
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
This brief article explores the tensions which create burn out. The article builds on the work of Maslach and Freudenberger, who suggest that professionals in the "helping professions," including teachers and counselors, are most likely to suffer burn out. Academic support professionals, who are often both teachers and de facto counselors, are likely among the "helping professionals" who may be at particular risk of burn out. Burn out is caused, at least in part, by the tension between the helping professional's idea of what she ought to be accomplishing through her work and what she is, in fact, accomplishing. The article suggests that adopting a contemplative practice may help to prevent burn out. Specifically, academic support professionals might consider a contemplative practice centered around queries designed to reacquaint the professional with her motivation in working in academic support or a contemplative practice of mindfulness.
Keywords: burn out, tension, helping professions, contemplative practice, Maslach, Freudenberger
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