Personal Barriers
Some things that hinder empathy are the very things we often feel, such as . . .
Fear:

• • Fear of failure;
  • Fear of rejection;
  • Fear of being misunderstood; or
  • Fear of not having all the answers.

Fatigue:

• • Work fatigue;
  • Caretaker fatigue; or
  • Personal fatigue (e.g., not enough sleep).

Burnout:

• • Too much work to do at work and at home;
  • Not enough skill or experience to feel confident; or
  • Not feeling appreciated.

Emotionally Depleted:

• • Not always the best at taking care of ourselves.

Personal Solutions
Some simple ways we can address the personal barriers to empathy are:

• • Smile and you’ll be surprised how this relieves tension (for yourself and others);
  • Use the power of positive self-talk or positive affirmation;
  • Remind yourself of the importance of the work you do;
  • Remind yourself you’re not perfect and you don’t have to have all the answers;
  • Remind yourself this too shall pass.
  • Debrief with friends, coworkers, family, counselor, pastor, etc.;
  • Take care of your own emotional, spiritual and physical health.