Do you ever get those Sunday night blues? Dreading the week ahead, feeling the daily grind just draining away all of your energy before the week even starts? Or what about those days where you just feel like you are going through the motions and not really being present in your own life?

Weve all been there burned out.

Recently I received the following email:

I work from a home office and my last year has been very busy. Ive needed to put in some very long hours. Lately, Ive been feeling pretty burned out. How can I rejuvenate my excitement in the work that I really do love? And any tips on how to avoid burn out in the first place?

Here are some ideas for a quick shot in the arm:

• Enroll in a class or learn a new skill related to your field. Doing something new and out of the ordinary can be a great energizer. Dont have the budget for training? Check out www.teleclass.com; many of their offerings are free.

• Change your routine. Try doing your usual morning activities in the afternoon and vice versa. This simple change can make a big difference.

• Award yourself comp time. If you were working at a corporate office youd be rewarded with overtime pay or comparable time off from work. Be sure to do this for yourself. Schedule an afternoon to go to the zoo or meet a friend for lunch. Youll find when you are refreshed you work much more effectively. Im sure youve heard this many times, but be sure you actually *do it*.

Suggestions for avoiding burn out:

• Hate paying bills? Despise returning phone calls? Then why do it? Outsource those tasks that really drag you down and keep you from doing the activities you enjoy. Consider hiring a virtual assistant.

• Reward yourself. A major cause of burnout is feeling like your hard work is not being recognized or appreciated. If you work at home and are your own boss, you may not be getting the kudos you deserve. When you land a big client, treat yourself to a professional massage or dinner at a nice restaurant. When you do something significant, print out a certificate of achievement for yourself and display it where you can see it.

Dont allow yourself to be a burnout victim! Take action today or prevent or treat your burnout -- both you and your business will benefit.