Top tips for dealing with feeling overwhelmed at work
When you're already overwhelmed at work with your workload, it's easy to feel (actually more like impossible) that you cannot take on new tasks. And even though that's the case, you find yourself saying yes to everything across your desk.
Does this sound familiar?
You get three things ticked off your list, and by the end of the day, you've added another five.
You are in back-to-back meetings on Zoom ALL DAY and have about thirty minutes to do your 'actual work', have lunch, make a coffee and go to the loo.
You are the person that people come to for help because you get sh*t done. What's the saying, always ask a busy person for help?
And you get on with it for a bit because you're busy, overwhelmed, and stressed. But then eventually, you start to think there HAS to be another way. Don't worry, there is.
Here are a few tips to help:
Learn to recognise signs of workplace stress. For example, where are you finding that your stress is sky high - being in meetings you don't need to be in? Lots of last-minute deadlines? Are you getting sucked into other crises within your broader team? Identify them, and then you can devise a plan to deal with them.
Prioritise your work. I don't just mean rewriting a to-do list, but think about what on your to-do list is a preference and what is a deadline? This approach should help you really understand where your priorities need to lie. Sure, you might want to get that task done because it's enjoyable - but is there a deadline attached to it? If not, it can probably wait a little bit.
Focus on results, not productivity. Stop feeling like you have to be productive every hour of the day. It just isn't attainable. In fact, according to this report, after about one hour of work, your brain needs a break. Define what a successful day looks like for you regarding tasks, not hours being productive.
Stop trying to multitask! As a serial multitasker many moons ago, this is a tough one to let go of. But understanding your brain and it's most effective has shown me that multitasking is just a myth! Instead, studies show that when our brain constantly switches gears to bounce back and forth between tasks – especially when those tasks are complex and require our active attention – we become less efficient and more likely to make a mistake.
Start saying no more and set boundaries. It can be hard to get into the habit of saying no, especially if you're a people pleaser at heart. However, when you say no for a good reason, you reduce your stress and improve your mental health. By saying no will also help you avoid burnout and work more efficiently.
It does take some practice, but when you get it right, you'll be more efficient and be able to focus on the crucial tasks on your plate rather than everything else.
If you don't know where to start with setting boundaries and saying no, then download this freebie - there are 25 ways to say no at work written down for you to copy and paste!
Five step workshop to help you live a stress-free life
If you’re ready to step away from feeling stressed and overwhelmed every day, book a space at this practical 75 minute workshop to help you live a less stressed life!
