The Café Construct podcast in Season 02 initiated discussions on mental health; publishing Sn 02 Ep. 17 - Mental Health in the Workplace to discuss stories shared anonymously by guests on how specific circumstances in their careers were negatively affecting their mental health.
As a team, we strongly believe that with the right moves you can indeed achieve a fulfilling career in the construction industry without compromising the state of your mental health.
This article rightfully pushes this mission forward.
That said, let’s start with a quick check-in to see how many of these stress-inducing situations define your work-life;
I work long hours, with little to no time left for a healthy work-life balance.
I have intense work loads and deliverables involving a lot of documentation.
I manage large, complex projects with tight deadlines
I need to coordinate with some difficult team members/boss or accommodate a difficult client.
I have pressure to prove myself, being a young professional or a woman in the industry.
I am constantly wondering where the next project will come from.
I am undervalued, underpaid or can’t pitch my ideas freely.
I have to make decisions that directly impact the project timelines, budget or quality and the overall success or failure of the project.
These job demands are commonplace in the construction industry and can come at you in varying degrees and combinations. No surprise then that Construction Project Managers are expected to have high emotional intelligence and a thick skin to back.
DISCLAIMER: Generally, different people have different stress-tolerance levels and what you can handle is heavily dependent on your personality.
Even with a thick skin, however, constant exposure to the afore-mentioned situations can lead to burnout or even mental breakdown.
Below are five strategies that will put you in a better position to take on work hurdles without pushing you to the edge of your mental limits.
1. Take breaks during your workday
For those working long hours (ahem ahem Architects), it would be healthier to move away from this work culture that starts right from campus.
You need to evaluate yourself and your workflow. Are you getting carried away by the love of design? Is work taking longer because of inefficient processes? Are you understaffed and having to take on a lot more of the workload?
If unavoidable, with looming deadlines and expected output, it is important to take breaks to recharge. I heard someone say, "If you don't have five minutes to take a break, you need it the most."
Working long hours can be unproductive and ultimately affect the quality of your output. Take nap breaks (if possible), step out of the office for some fresh air, eat lunch outside the office or at the very least get up from your workstation every couple of hours.
On a larger scale, take advantage of your leave days - you work really hard.
For the business owner, this especially cannot be overemphasized - take a break from your company. In Sn 02, Ep.13 - Starting Our Construction Company, Nicodemus Kimari and Joseph Ntimama are entrepreneurs who value taking holiday breaks from their budding Construction company to recharge. Rest is highly underrated; overworking yourself is not sustainable.
2. Make Time for Family and Friends
It’s easy for the Consultant to get carried away with work deliverables- you always need that extra hour. On a Friday at 8PM tweaking a document as your friends buzz you to meet up for a chat. Is this a whole other conversation about perfectionism? hmmm.
For the Contractor, it is easy to get caught up wondering where the next project is coming from. The paper-chase never ends. If you have given it your best and followed up on all the leads you could, you must have the faith that it will work out.
Relax for a minute. Meet up with your people and laugh a little. The most important thing in life is relationships and memories made with them. Prioritising work too much can leave you with some heavy regrets in the future.
3. Consult your Seniors and Colleagues
You know what they say about the wheel and the re-invention of said wheel - don’t. Ask others how they navigated the challenges you are currently going through.
What you lack in experience can be made up for by asking for help. From higher up or from more experienced team members- ego aside. There is nothing that makes a task seem even more impossible if you think no one can relate to them.
Professional communities like Café Construct and groups on WhatsApp and Facebook are an invaluable resource when you hit a wall.
4. Take up hobbies unrelated to Construction
You cannot control the team members you have to work with or the demands that come with different projects in different phases; what you can control however is the frame of mind you have going in.
When you recharge your batteries you are able to face the tasks with renewed energy. Step out of the Construction world and take up unrelated hobbies. Our guest Amman Karim - featured in Sn02 Ep. 15- Building Our Arch - Viz Company - is an Architectural Visualisation expert by day and loves getting into Esports on the side. Our Café Construct team member Whitney Ogutu adores motorbike riding. Find your thing too. Never a dull moment exploring other sides that make you who you are.
5. Physical Exercise
Okay, this one is on every good-habits-to-have list, so I know I don’t have to sell you on its benefits.
Here just to remind you that maybe moving your body for at least half an hour before your work day begins or at the end of it will go a long way to dilute the impact of work-stressors, increase your motivation to work and overall productivity.
All in all, a career in Construction is very challenging but cheers to keeping the burnout at bay.
Worst case scenario- the stressors take a major toll on you and force you to seriously consider quitting your job for your mental wellbeing in which case you should listen to Part I and Part II of Oh Shit, I Quit my Job.
EPISODES REFERENCED
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