3 Bulletproof steps when you have too much work
"I've got too much on my plate!"
Whether you are self-employed or staff, if you're feeling overwhelmed by your workload, you're not alone.
The latest ELMO survey, called the "Employee Sentiment Index", revealed that 46% of Australian employees are feeling burnt out.
46% of Australian employees are feeling burnt out
Photo credit Austin Distel on Unsplash
It is more and more common for people to struggle to manage their workload effectively, especially in a time where we face the negative effects of a lack of human resources, poor workplace culture and poor leadership, job insecurity and ever-changing technological demands.
When we already have too much on, it can be difficult to take the time and analyse what can be done.
I created easy, bulletproof steps you can take to help you get back on track. You're welcome 🌿
Step 1
Sit down with your supervisor (or yourself, if you are self-employed) and discuss the current situation
Take the time to write down what’s going on. Be honest and transparent about the workload you have and how it's affecting you. Explain the tasks you have on your plate and the deadlines you're working towards. Ask them to help you prioritise your tasks, provide additional resources, or delegate some tasks to other team members.
Most importantly, if you don’t let them know, they might not even be aware.
Step 2
Prioritise and decide what is urgent VS important
Once you've spoken with your supervisor, it's time to prioritise your tasks. You might like the Eisenhower matrix to help you determine what tasks are urgent versus important. This matrix categorises tasks into four quadrants: Urgent and Important, Important but not Urgent, Urgent but not Important, and Not Urgent and Not Important. This helps you focus your energy on the most important and urgent tasks first.
Eisenhower Matrix example
Focus your energy on the most important and urgent tasks first.
Step 3
Set boundaries to make sure the priorities are looked after in the order determined at step 2.
The final step is to set boundaries to ensure that you're able to focus on your priorities. You need to be comfortable with your boundaries to be able to implement them. Boundaries may involve putting phones and other distractions away, setting clear time for work and breaks, delegating tasks to others, deleting tasks that are not important or urgent, or simply saying no to new tasks that come your way.
It's important to be clear about your boundaries and the reason why you are setting them to communicate them effectively with your team and colleagues.
"It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential."
-Bruce Lee
Notice the benefits
Follow these three steps every time you feel like you have too much on your plate at work, and see your situation improve instantly.
Take the time to notice the changes it makes when you follow these three steps. You may feel a relief, and even a sense of pride for taking responsibility for your own wellbeing.
We often have so much more control than we think!
Photo credit Daniel Thomas on Unsplash
Remember that an accredited Life Coach is professionally trained to help you go through changes in the easiest, most effective way.
We’re here to help! And I'll leave you with this powerful quote from Abraham Lincoln:
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."
Written by:
Sophie Anderson
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About the Author
Hi! I'm Sophie and I am so glad you're here! I help women and men make small, incremental changes that create a positive ripple effect on their entire life.
You have the power to turn your life around, starting today.
I am here to help you succeed.
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