Create mini-goals that are very specific.
Job stress and burnout arise when people feel they have little control over their work and/or few options.

But goals like “be more visible” or “work more efficiently” are hard to measure — and impossible to meet. (No matter how much you improve, theoretically there will be more you can do.)

Instead, try a very specific micro-goal. Instead of the examples above, you might try, “Offer at least one suggestion per meeting” or “Finish my check run before 2 p.m. each week.”

You’ll see tangible results right away, which boosts morale — not to mention that as you meet your goals and swap in new ones, you’re bound to be constantly improving.

Refocus your time

It’s all too easy to get caught up in putting out the most recent fire: There are missing invoices to track down, angry vendors on the phone and employees with questions about their paychecks constantly angling for your attention.

But spending all your time on those tasks leaves precious little time for other activities that can help you work better, save money, etc.

Take a few minutes to jot down your top goals (no more than three) for you and/or your department. Next, think about ways you could be working toward those goals but aren’t — these are the tasks most of us say we’ll get around to “once I have the time.”

Once you’ve established a few concrete steps, make it a goal to work on them at regular intervals. Key step: This should be time you have blocked out on your calendar — and stick to it. For example: Maybe you’ll need to spend 15 minutes a day to attack the pent-up filing pile. Or set aside one afternoon a month to analyze monthly spending in more detail than you can afford to now.

The simple act of putting it on your to-do list, can turn those “someday” tasks into finished projects.

What are some of your tricks for fighting burnout? Let us hear your ideas in the comments.

1. Flex time and work-from-home options. These cost the company nothing, but can mean a lot to employees. Even if your company won’t allow it as a standard work arrangement, try to keep some flexibility in the schedule so that when workers have situations come up (car trouble, ill family member, etc.) they know they can tend to their jobs and their lives.
2. Training opportunities. You don’t have to send staffers to a week-long conference across the country to show that you value them and want to develop their skills. Free or low-cost training close to home is often available via webinars, online classes and the like.
3. Creative perks. Even if employees understand why raises are small or non-existent, it doesn’t mean they’ll like it. Finding other ways to show you appreciate them can help. Look for opportunities to partner with local businesses to find perks that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For example, a local bakery may be willing to offer a special discount to employees if you provide a discounted service. Or if you can get a group of employees to sign up for a service (like a gym membership), you may be able to negotiate a better deal. If the company picks up part of the remaining cost, it’s that much more valuable to staffers.
4. Pay for what matters. Let employees know that if you get a solid new hire through a staffer’s referral, they’ll be rewarded. It gives them reason to talk up the company to others — which gets them thinking about all the things they do like about the job.

you may fall victim to burnout. So says a recent survey by Accountemps.

It’s easy enough to do in a job that is often repetitive and has high stakes. Let’s face it, a few missed keystrokes can cost your company a wad of cash. Which is why it’s actually a good sign that it’s on CFOs’ radar screens. It means they know just how much work you do.

So while you may not be worried about falling victim to burnout, it’s not a bad idea to demonstrate to the boss that you’re still on top of your game. Taking classes to keep up to date, discussing current business trends, etc. all show that you have a genunine interest in your work — and that you’re not just watching the clock.

Feel like burnout might be creeping up on you? Look for ways to keep the job fresh. That could be cross-training to do other tasks or building up skills where you might be a little weaker. Even smaller changes, like finding time to take a walk every day at lunch can give you a much-needed boost.

Everyone faces a small case of burnout from time to time. How do you deal with it when you hit that point? Let us know in the comments.