We recently connected with Susan Sangani and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Susan, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
I believe there are many ways to avoid burnout, some of which I practice as I believe that your mental health is just as important as your physical. It is easy to recognize the early signs of burnout such as increased anxiety, exhaustion, and lack of enthusiasm to do things that you actually enjoy.
Some things I follow:
1. exercise regularly – whether its 20 minutes of walking to an hour lifting weights at the gym, getting up and moving your body gives a different boost of energy which lowers stress levels. Meditation or yoga are really great stress reducers.
2. Self-care days – We all need those days to not neglect our own needs. So, eat a healthy meal, get a good eight hours of sleep, take yourself out on a date, or find a new hobby that you’ve gotten interested in. (In my case it’s creating new coffee inspired drinks to taste and possibly put on a future coffee shop menu?)
3. Setting boundaries – Create a healthy work-life balance. It is easy for someone to always feel like they’re “on the clock” when those boundaries aren’t set. Not having enough time for friends and family can eventually cause stress.
4. Positive Affirmations – at the start of each day, I like to send two positive messages to a friend or family member to make their day or remind myself of two qualities I have that I love about myself.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Susan, Program Manager for the Dept of Surgery at UCLA Health. I’ve been in the healthcare industry for over 10 years and it feels great to be able to provide excellent care to our patients and lead my team to navigate challenges through effective communication within the multiple divisions of surgery.
I have had experiences where family members were my patients and that required me to put on multiple hats so I would be able to do each job efficiently. This was a major stressor at that time. Trying to avoid burnout, I started using different methods to take care of my mental health. I learned to manage the workload, set boundaries, find new hobbies, and practice mindfulness.
My hobby turned out to become more of a passion, which was to visit local coffee shops and try out different flavor profiles to understand the different roasts. My husband, the supportive and most wonderful man he is, bought me a Breville Barista machine to practice on.
Since then, I have created many specialty drinks (my favorites being the white chocolate macadamia nut latte and rose/cardomom latte). The list just goes on, but eventually the goal is to promote my coffee flavors one customer at a time. Who knows, maybe the future holds a potential coffee shop? What should we name it? 🙂
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that stand out are:
Curiosity-
Curiosity has been fundamental to my growth and development. It’s what drives me to constantly seek out new information related to coffee. What new gadgets are used to make coffee? How do I perfect latte art? How do I make an aesthetic drink?
Adaptability-
In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is crucial. Throughout my journey, I’ve had to adapt to new challenges, technologies, and environments. Being adaptable means being willing to learn new skills, and pivot when necessary. To practice stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change as an opportunity for growth,
Communication –
Effective communication skills have been essential in my journey, enabling me to convey ideas, collaborate with other coffee shops to promote giveaways, and connect with diverse audiences on what drinks I enjoy when I visit a new coffee shop. Practice active listening, seek feedback, and refine your ability to articulate your thoughts clearly.
For those early in their journey, I recommend focusing on developing these qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge:
Continuous learning –
Never stop learning and growing. Embrace opportunities to expand your knowledge and skill set, whether it’s through formal education, online courses, or self-directed learning.
Networking-
Build relationships with others in your field and beyond. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, provide valuable insights, and offer support and mentorship along the way.
Resilience-
Recognize that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of the journey. Staying focused on your goals, learning from failures, and maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity can take you far.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I use several strategies to regain my balance and focus. Here are some suggestions:
Take a break-
Sometimes, stepping away from the source of stress can provide much-needed perspective and relief. Whether it’s a short walk, a few minutes of deep breathing, or simply closing my eyes for a moment, taking a break can help clear my mind and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Prioritize tasks-
Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and prioritizing them based on urgency and importance can help me regain a sense of control.
Practice self-care-
Engaging in activities that promote relaxation and well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones, can help alleviate stress and restore balance. Taking care of my physical and mental health is essential for managing the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Reach out for support-
Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or colleague, sharing my feelings with others can provide emotional support and a valuable perspective. Sometimes, simply expressing what I’m going through can help me feel less alone and more capable of coping with the situation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/coffeewithsuzz
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=gWp_QG2IT9DuaYZgGF-0NA&utm_source=ishare
