Many professionals are feeling the crunch of having their workload double as employers are looking for ways to streamline costs. That’s understandable to most, but keeping up a heavy workload can derail your career progress.
Recently, a job candidate was talking with me about the ups and downs of working in a corporate setting and how her recent downsizing was blessing in disguise. She loved her employer but was sacrificing her health just to keep up with the increased workload.
Her mixed response to losing her job is becoming more common especially when you feel like having two or three jobs, not just the one you interviewed for. In listening to her story I wonder how many employers lose good employees not because of a bad hiring decision but rather expanding their job role without the promotion to match.
To her credit, she was not complaining about the company’s decision to let her go, instead she was looking for ways to approach future employers should the same thing happen again. Her concerns were how to ask for help without sounding as if she couldn’t handle the workload.
Here are some of the solutions we discussed that might be helpful to you if you are facing a similar situation at work.
First of all, you are the only one that can protect your career and health. In spite of goodwill toward your employer, no one can really judge how much work you can carry before it harms your productivity.
Most professionals who truly value their career want to do a good job but can be apprehensive when asking their boss for help. One way to approach your boss is to tell them how much you are committed to helping the department succeed however you need help with identifying their top priorities.
Becoming more aware of your time is another way to help you monitor the signs for overload. While you may think working through lunch is productive, over the course of time it slows you down. If a 30-minute lunch break is too long – that’s a sign you could be on your way to becoming overwhelmed with your schedule.
The workplace is filled with tons of distractions, your cell phone being one of them. Checking messages and social sites takes time away from your work. Some find being overwhelmed is a time management issue in disguise. Develop a good understanding of the workflow processes and listen to your colleagues. They might be experiencing the same problems and working together as a team could save time.
The job candidate mentioned above really liked her job, yet some who struggle to keep up with a demanding workload are mismatched for the position. Much like pretending you are in the right position leads to a loss of motivation that creates the feeling of being swamped with tasks.
The real career concern is the perception you send to your boss when discussing your workload. For example, if everyone is assigned extra work be careful that your discussion doesn’t sound like a complaining session. Your boss, like others, could also be taking on additional work, and you want to focus on the solutions rather than complaints.
Keep your people-pleasing habits in check. People-pleasers are susceptible to being overwhelmed by saying “yes” to everything asked of them. Pay attention to how many times you say “yes” to new projects when saying “no” is a better choice.
Practice setting good boundaries with others before you get so overwhelmed at work that you dream about leaving rather than seeing your career flourish.
How do you thrive at work with a heavy workload? What are some of the strategies you use?
