3 ‘less is more’ career tips for communicators

Communicators rarely take time away from deadlines to reflect on their work and careers.

That’s a recipe for burnout, says Mark Hendrickson, director of strategic communications at Moffitt Cancer Center. Here’s his advice for a happier, healthier career:

1. Dare to detox. “Being connected 24/7 causes burnout and no one is immune,” says Mark Hendrickson, director of strategic communications at Moffitt Cancer Center. “My advice is to unplug from the ‘electronic monsters’ we rely on as communicators.”

Disconnecting helps you stay healthy in body and mind, he says. “The quiet solitude will also provide you with your best ideas and help you make sense of the craziness at work.”

His personal escape is running, which he does daily—at 11 p.m. “The discipline to lace up the shoes that late has helped me become more disciplined at work,” says Hendrickson.

He’s also incredibly disciplined when it comes to his nightly digital detox.

“I charge my phone upstairs when I get home so I’m not constantly looking to see who has emailed, texted or posted,” Hendrickson says. “I also set a do-not-disturb from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and I go old school with my iPod classic when I hit the pavement running.”