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Understanding Spoon Theory & Preventing Burnout

Understanding Spoon Theory & Preventing Burnout

As given at RevConf '19

Jameson Alea

June 06, 2019
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  1. THERE IS NO SPOON?
    Understanding ‘Spoon Theory’ &
    Preventing Burnout
    Jameson Hampton @jameybash

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  2. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    @jameybash

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  3. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    Hi, I’m Jamey

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  4. What is Spoon Theory??
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    A social metaphor for how much energy we each have in a day
    The key to Spoon Theory = You have a finite number!

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  5. “I wanted something for her to actually
    hold, for me to then take away, since most
    people who get sick feel a loss of a life they
    once knew. If I was in control of taking away
    the spoons, then she would know what it
    feels like to have someone or something
    else, in this case Lupus, being in control.”
    - Christine Miserandino
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  6. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    You can’t know how many spoons someone
    else has just by looking at them!

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  7. What happens when you run out?
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  8. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  9. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  11. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  12. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  13. Who does spoon theory affect?
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    • Shared Language
    • Greater empathy for others
    • Better understanding of our limits

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  14. Physical Illnesses & Disabilities
    ◦Constant pain is exhausting!
    ◦Emotional drain of worry
    ◦Reduced mobility/decreased accessibility
    ◦Frequent health care
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  15. Mental Illnesses
    ◦Constant emotional
    distress is also exhausting
    ◦Being told to “get over it!”
    ◦Can be socially
    ostracizing
    ◦Can also be physical
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  16. Marginalized Groups
    ◦Being discriminated
    against sucks!
    ◦Emotionally dealing with
    the political climate
    ◦Having to justify your
    existence
    ◦Microaggressions
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    “You don’t sound
    black”
    “You don’t look
    transgender”
    “Where are you from
    anyway?”
    “So who’s the guy in
    your relationship?”
    “Oh, are you an
    engineer?”

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  17. Codemash 2018 | @jameybash

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  18. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  19. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  21. RevConf 2019 | @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.

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  22. How does this affect me???
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  23. Self Care!
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  24. Self Care!
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    Accountability
    Forgiveness

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  25. 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
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash


    Burn Out

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  26. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    Let’s talk about Agile!

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  27. Spoons vs Agile Methodology
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    • Velocity – an intangible
    unit of measurement
    • Prioritizing your team
    dynamic
    • Your employees are
    your #1 resource!

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  28. 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
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  29. Keeping
    people’s needs
    in mind --
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    “Fair” isn’t
    always
    “equal”

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  30. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    Keeping people’s needs in mind --
    Understanding the affect on productivity

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  31. 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!
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  32. 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
    RevConf 2019 | @jameybash

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  33. RevConf 2019 | @jameybash
    @jameybash
    jameybash.com

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