There Is No Spoon? Understanding Spoon Theory & Preventing Burnout

As presented at Polyconf 2017

Transcript

1. THERE IS NO SPOON? Understanding ‘Spoon Theory’ & Preventing Burnout Jameson Hampton @jameybash
2. Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash @jameybash
3. Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash Hi, I’m Jamey
4. What is Spoon Theory?? Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash A social metaphor for how much energy we each have in a day The key to Spoon Theory = You have a finite number!
5. Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash You can’t know how many spoons someone else has just by looking at them!
6. What happens when you run out? Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
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12. Who does spoon theory affect? Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash • Shared Language • Greater empathy for others • Better understanding of our limits
13. Physical Illnesses & Disabilities ◦Constant pain is exhausting! ◦Emotional drain of worry ◦Reduced mobility/decreased accessibility ◦Frequent health care Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
14. Mental Illnesses ◦Constant emotional distress is also exhausting ◦Being told to “get over it!” ◦Imposter Syndrome ◦Can also be physical Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
15. Marginalized Groups ◦Being discriminated against sucks! ◦Emotionally dealing with the political climate ◦Having to justify your existence ◦Microaggressions Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash “You don’t sound black” “You don’t look transgender” “So who’s the guy in your relationship?” “Are you the secretary?”
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20. Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash As you can see, privilege is a factor! Just because you have privilege, it doesn’t mean your life can’t be hard sometimes! But it isn’t hard BECAUSE you have privilege. It’s hard EVEN THOUGH you have it.
21. How does this affect me??? Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
22. Self Care! Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash Accountability Forgiveness
23. Managing your employees’ spoons ◦Productivity – everyone needs energy to do their best work ◦Empathy – you care about them (I hope!) & want them to lead fulfilling lives Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash Burn Out
24. Lessening your employees’ burdens ◦Recognize that their health is more important than their work ◦Provide adequate health care! ◦Treat mental illness as an illness ◦Make accessibility a priority, not an afterthought Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
25. Keeping people’s needs in mind -- Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash “Fair” isn’t always “equal”
26. Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash Keeping people’s needs in mind -- Understanding the affect on productivity
27. Fostering a diverse & tolerant workplace ◦ Actions speak louder than words ◦ Don’t demand that minorities do all the diversity work! ◦ But do listen to your underrepresented employees and believe their stories ◦ Don’t tolerate crappy behavior! Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
28. Recommended reading/watching! ◦ The original Spoon Theory essay by Christine Miserandino - https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ ◦ Your Invisible Illness Is Valid by Sam Escobar - https://femsplain.com/your- invisible-illness-is-valid-f33f85f18dc3 ◦ That Time You Failed To Follow Up On Diversity by Melissa Nightingale - https://mfbt.ca/that-time-you-failed-to-follow-up-on-diversity- cd701f52da6c?gi=dd80985b40fb ◦ Monitoring The Health of Your Self by Mary Thengvall - http://confreaks.tv/videos/codedaze2016-monitoring-the-health-of-your-self ◦ The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel by Zach Anner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhpUJRGrZgc Polyconf 2017 | @jameybash
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