How to beat sorrows.

A Counterintuitive Approach To Beat Burnout: Connect Not Disconnect

Entrepreneurs seek success at the cost of getting sucked into working 12 to 16-hour days (with the majority of the hours connected to their phone and computers). They find themselves in a daily whirlwind of back-to-back meetings and projects while sacrificing self-care.

This is the quickest way to find yourself burned out. The term burnout was first used to describe “the consequences of severe stress and high ideals” in helping professions (i.e., doctors and nurses) during the 1970s. Herbert Freudenberger, an American psychologist, coined it. Today, we recognize burnout as a state of emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion caused by excessive stress from work.

Considering that most startup founders wear many hats—everything from sales and marketing, to product development and legal—it is no surprise that many would describe themselves as feeling stressed.

The cause of burnout stems from ignoring these early signs and continuing as if nothing needs to change.

In the digital era, technology, specifically mobile devices, have made it much easier for people to improve work productivity and create new networks. The internet has become a way to engage with people and access information in an instant. However, increasingly, the internet’s reach has become all-pervasive, and many people find it difficult to extricate themselves from the grasp of omnipresent technology.

The downside is that when employees physically leave the office, they do not feel as though they have left work. They remain connected electronically to work through emails and text, impeding on their downtime and self-care.

This has resulted in the rise of a relatively new term, digital burnout after psychologists noticed the link between burnout and excessive use of digital devices. The recommended solution is to simply turn off your digital devices.

Although this is sound advice, it is not always as simple or sustainable, and it is only part of the equation in the solution for burnout.

It is not enough to only disconnect from your devices and then wait for your mental health to recover, your energy to return, and the prospect of burnout to pass.

In order to actually feel better, you need to spend that time by actively connecting with yourself, others, and the world at large.

This is where mindfulness and connecting enters the equation. Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment. Contrary to most popular belief it is not about disconnecting from the world, but instead, it is about actively connecting. Mindfulness enables meaningful and fulfilling relationships and connections, including with your true self.

The first step starts from within—with yourself. When you can connect with yourself, take care of yourself, and love yourself, then you can also connect with others and the world. Over time you will be able to translate these practices into everyday activities. As you go about your life, you will have a greater ability to make mindful choices. You will recognize the unique qualities of each person you encounter. You will be curious about the personal desires and challenges of those around you—and this will make you a better person and leader.

Connect with yourself

Learn to relish time alone whether you are meditating, taking a walk, going for a run, or journaling. Choose whatever floats your boat. You will experience more confidence, clarity, and creativity.

Integrate these activities into your daily life. One method of doing this is to wear something distinctive (e.g., a bracelet), which is used to achieve a target number of days doing the activity of your choice. If you miss a day meditating, switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start again from day 0. This is simple, yet an effective metacognitive awareness training.

Connect with others

Plan quality time with friends and family. Make special efforts to show them you care and value your relationship. Be authentic and vulnerable in order to develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

Help them plan their special occasions (such as birthdays and momentous milestones). Support them in times of need even if they do not ask for it. Be a good listener. Share your challenges. This will inevitably deepen and strengthen any relationship. With good friends and family, fun times are more enjoyable, and sorrows are shared.

Connect with the world

Escape your comfort zone and routine. Volunteer or help people less fortunate. You will be surprised by the experience and learn more than you expect.

Entrepreneurs are naturally curious people who want to be at the forefront of the latest trends, technologies, and industries - most of which can be accessed through electronic devices. However, we must also be curious about maintaining strong connections with our self, our loved ones, and all people.

Always remember that it is you who is in charge of your time and your well-being. The benefits will ripple in all areas of your life. You will be able to fulfill your highest business, personal, and social potential.

02

Brawl Stars – 5 Annoying Brawlers & How To Counter Them

Brawl Stars is one of the world's most popular mobile games right now. The game is celebrating it's 19th Season of it's Brawl Pass while nearing 5 years since it's global launch.

There's currently 69 brawlers in Brawl Stars, with #70 on the way. Despite so many brawlers, there's a few that just make your blood boil when facing them. It's not that they're overpowered. It's sometimes a gear, gadget, Star Power, or some other gimmick that makes them frustrating to deal with sometimes.

Regardless, you hate going up against them, and so do we. So here's our list of the five most annoying brawlers you'll encounter in Brawl Stars. Additionally, we'll add one of various ways you can counter them.

Bea

Bea is literally like the insect she dressed up as. Adorable, but unexpectedly dangerous. If Bea connects her first attack, then oh buddy you better start running. That's because her next attack will receive an increase in damage, usually enough to wipe you out.

But if you dodge that first attack you're in the clear, right? Nope. In addition to her deadly attack is her Star Power, Instant Bea-Load, gives her an extra charged shot. This gives Bea an extra opportunity to really put the hurt down on her foes. And did we mention her Super slows you down while dealing damage? She's extremely difficult to go against with low HP brawlers like Spike, Crow, or Tick.

How To Counter Bea: Brawlers with pets, like Mr. P, Nita, Eve, and Ash counter Bea really well. Nita's Bear swallows up damage no problem and doesn't charge Bea's attack. Mr. P's Porters provide extra cover, while Eve's hatchlings will cause her nightmares. Ash not only takes damage like a boss, but his Super spawns a group of bombs that Bea must deal with before even taking on the Trash Knight.

Sprout

You're probably surprised we didn't add Tick to the list, but there's good reason why. His attack bounces off walls, increasing his attack's distance. As a thrower, it gives him multiple opportunities to hit you with one attack, even if he misses. It can be totally accidental, but Sprout can still hit you even if he didn't intend to. His Overgrowth Star power increases his attack's range, making it easier to hit his target.

Sprout's Transplant Gadget is a game changer. It gives him back his Super by destroying his current Hedge. But you can activate the gadget any time, meaning Sprout could keep a wall around himself the entire game.

How To Counter Sprout: Any brawler who can jump over walls, or another solid thrower should help you out against Sprout. The key to fighting a Sprout is the element of Surprise. They're going to use their Hedge to block you, if they can, so find ways to make them use it before you try anything special.

Additionally, any brawlers who can blow up walls are great too. Giving Sprout less cover to take makes him more vulnerable, giving you more chances to beat him. Just make sure to blow up their walls and maintain map control. If a Sprout has you cornered on your side of the map, it's over, Johnny.

Otis

Being able to silence your enemies, preventing them from doing anything is downright horrendous. Pair that with Otis' great attack, good range, and solid overall stats, and you have a nightmare of a brawler. Otis is good because not only can he cancel out close range brawlers, but he can defeat longer range ones as well.

His attack doesn't go in a straight line, which is actually helpful for at least charging your Super. Additionally, it prevents your enemy from healing.

How To Counter Otis: There's not many brawlers who serve as a good counter against him. We recommend long range brawlers like Piper, Mandy, or even Brock and Belle. The reason why is because you don't have to engage him in CQC, and have a better chance fighting him from a distance.

Spike

Spike with his Curveball Star Power is one of the best brawlers in the game. By using it, Spike's range seems almost infinitely wider. There's ways of avoiding the spikes, but in the heat of the battle you don't have the luxury to do that all the time. You're either too focused on someone else, or you just can't hit the Spike because you can't reach him.

Additionally, Spike can give himself cover that heals him if destroyed, and he can slow you down even more with his Mythic Gear equipped. Even if you play as a thrower and hide behind a wall, this smiling cactus can still hurt you. However, anyone can counter Spike.

How To Counter Spike: If you learn his attack pattern and get used to it, dodging him does become easier over time. It doesn't mean you'll dodge him every time, but you can maybe avoid some attacks here or there. It may be what you need to get up close and wipe him out. Additionally, throwers with plenty of walls can easily attack him with no risk.

Gale

Don't be fooled by this innocent old man. Gale, with all his Star Powers and his Twister Gadget will strike you down as if he were an avalanche. First off, his Twister Gadget doesn't just protect him from enemies who get too close. It can be the saving grace in a Brawl Ball or Volley Brawl match. This gadget alone changes the balance of so many matches.

Secondly, Either of his Star Powers are sure to give you a headache. Whether he's slowing you down (Freezing Snow) or stunning you (Blustery Blow), Gale is annoying you somehow. And after all that, he deals plenty of damage (sometimes over 2000 with one attack).

How To Counter Gale: There's no easy way to short-range brawlers to counter Gale. Throwers are nice to use since Gale won't be able to attack you. Additionally, fast brawlers like Stu can move quickly enough to deal damage and get out of the way. You can also try any of the annoying brawlers on this list too because why not?

For more Brawl Stars news, like a guide on Cordelius the new Chromatic Brawler, visit ClutchPoints Gaming.

03

How to beat desk rage

A recent piece of research revealed that as many as one in five people in Britain suffers from “misophonia”, a condition in which certain sounds cause them disproportionate distress. If you can listen to your spouse eating an apple and don’t immediately want a divorce, you are not a sufferer of misophonia. But you may have another, similar condition for which the workplace is the perfect breeding-ground. “Misergonia” (colloquial shorthand: desk rage) is the name hereby bestowed on the eye-gougingly deep irritation triggered by certain aspects of office life.

Like misophonia, sounds are often the trigger for misergonia. The routine fire-alarm test is a case in point. “Attention please, attention please,” shouts a voice that is literally impossible to ignore. “This is a test,” it roars, making it clear that your attention is not in fact required. More shouting and eardrum-piercing noises follow. Then, most galling of all, a message of thanks for your attention, the aural equivalent of a prison thanking you for choosing them for a stay. By the end of it all, a conflagration would be sweet release.

Other noises are less obviously intrusive but just as annoying. The noise of clicking keys is the soundtrack of cubicles everywhere. But every office has its share of keyboard thumpers, people whose goal seems to be not producing a document but destroying the equipment before one can be created.

Verbal tics are another tripwire for misergonia sufferers. “This is a point that has already been made,” is how weirdly large numbers of people start to make a point that has already been made. Why not just say “I don’t value your time” and have done with it?

Small IT failures are a fact of office life, but they can still be soul-destroying. The printer which jams repeatedly. The design requirement in said printer that demands every flap and tray must be opened once before things can restart. The headphones that never work. Or the mouse that gives up at just the wrong moment. Your cursor is two centimetres from the unmute button on a Zoom call; you move your mouse towards it when it is your turn to speak, and nothing happens. You rattle it around more vigorously, and still no response. Either your cursor is in a coma or the battery has run out. “You’re still on mute,” offers up a colleague helpfully. Someone else fills the gap. “This is a point that has already been made…,” they begin.

Story continues

And then there is the reply-all email. It starts innocently enough, with someone asking for help with a problem. In come one or two replies, and with a sickening lurch of the stomach you realise that the entire company has been copied in on this request. Suddenly, an avalanche. It is as if nothing else matters other than weighing in on this one question. Deadlines are deferred. Milk goes off in the fridge. Visitors in reception are left to forage for food while members of staff devote themselves to the matter at hand. There are replies to replies, and replies to replies to replies. This isn’t a thread, it’s a hawser. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves hugely.

But there is a silent, suffering group for whom every new message lands as a hammer blow to their composure. How many minutes can one organisation fritter away on this nonsense? Why isn’t it stopping? And when the initial round of answers has died down, can you be certain that it is really over? It is always possible that someone who has been away from their desk will pile in and start the whole farrago up again.

Individual workers will have their own triggers, ostensibly tiny things to which they are extremely sensitive. It might be the person who still doesn’t understand you have to tag someone in Slack to notify them of a message. It might be the doors closing on a crowded lift, only for an arm to snake in and a voice to ask “room for one more?” (If you were the size of a marmot, yes.) It might be a particularly heavy tread or an even heavier perfume. It might be the way someone insists on using the word “pivot”. It might be anything, frankly—which means that for some of your colleagues it might also be you.

There is no cure for misergonia. The workplace is a collection of people in enforced and repeated proximity, their habits, noises and idiosyncrasies turning into something familiar for some colleagues and disproportionately grating for others. The only release is to go home, close the front door behind you and find your significant other tucking into an apple.

Read more from Bartleby, our columnist on management and work: Why are corporate retreats so extravagant? (May 25th) Businesses’ bottleneck bane (May 18th) How to recruit with softer skills in mind (May 11th)

Also: How the Bartleby column got its name

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From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on https://www.economist.com/business/2023/06/01/how-to-beat-desk-rage