Do you wake up in the morning and feel that you can't face the task of packing up and shipping that pile of auction items in the corner? Do you dread acknowledging the stack of payments sitting on your desk? Is it too burdensome to answer one more email query about the condition of an auction item?

If that scenario sounds familiar, what you may be experiencing is online auction burnout.

Burnout is usually associated with high-pressure careers, such as stockbroker or air traffic controller, where hours are long and the pace is continuously fast.

It certainly isn't associated with online auction sellers. To many, sellers evoke the image of a person transacting business in a robe and house slippers, between sips of coffee.

Well, think again.

Some online auction users, who left their daily 9-5 jobs because they felt burned out, began doing online auctions because it enabled them the freedom to make their own hours, stay home with the children, and still earn a comfortable living. They quickly find that the demands of online auctions require as many, if not more, hours of attention than their old jobs!

Selling online has many time-consuming facets: taking photos, researching items, listing, contacting winners, packing items, driving to the Post Office, etc., and each area requires careful attention to complete a successful transaction. If you spend 30 minutes per item and list 100 items per week...SURPRISE...you now have a full-time job!

"I love selling my "stuff" online, but it does get a little overwhelming sometimes." Says Heather, a 1-1/2 year veteran of online auctions. "When I'm running auctions lately I keep it to about 70 or so and some of them are Dutch. I have a basement full of stuff and no desire to sit here and work when it's so nice outside."

But how do you know whether you are suffering from burnout or you just need a break?

Learn to recognize the warning signs of job burnout. They include fatigue, loss of interest in work, anger, lack of concentration, working harder or longer but getting less accomplished, decreased satisfaction in completing a job, depression, apathy, lack of motivation, making more mistakes, and even alcoholism or drug use. Burnout is persistent. If you take an extended break from online auctions to enjoy a vacation, and the symptoms haven't cleared when you return, there's a good chance that you are suffering from burnout.

How does one decrease the likelihood of getting job burnout?

"Take breaks, if possible learn the art of delegation, leave the work at work, take a vacation devoid of the usual work communication tools (laptop, e-mail, etc.)" explains Dr. Thomas Weida, Medical Director of the University Physican Group in Hershey, Pennsylvania, "The length of vacation may be important as just a few days does not allow enough time to get into relaxed mode, you're still thinking about the office.

Some adjustments in your work habits might also be called for.

"Set limits of time with work and family life. Work smarter, not longer." advises Dr. Weida, "Evaluate whether the job meets your needs of personal growth, accomplishment, satisfaction, the ability to make a difference. Evaluate your financial goals to determine whether you need to drive as hard."

Dr. Weida also warns, "If symptoms are very severe, it may be more than burnout and actually be clinical depression, in which case talking to your family doctor could be helpful."

The best strategy to combat burnout is to avoid it in the first place. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try cutting back on the number of items you list, at least temporarily. If you have family, let them help you wherever possible, such as packing items or taking trips to the post office for you.

Participate in online auction forums. People who work in the office can commiserate to co-workers. You need a support system too; in fact, it might help you to discover that there are others that feel the same way you do!

Treat yourself once in a while. Give yourself permission to take the afternoon off, and don't feel guilty!

If you have tips you'd like to share on how you cope with auction burn out, share them on the message board at http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/index.php