Even the job that you have long wanted can turn into a nightmare if you find yourself having more tasks and responsibilities than you expected. And when you start missing deadlines and getting assigned additional projects, things can get so much worse. These could even result in you having a negative score in the employee performance evaluation or even getting fired from your job. It is the common instinct of employees to keep their struggles to themselves because they don’t want to look or sound like a big failure if they speak about their difficulty keeping up with all their work. What they don’t realize is that it could help them a lot if they seek help from their coworkers and even their boss about what they are going through.
Here’s what you can do to deal with your overwhelming work:
1. Keep your to-do list up to date
One way to avoid getting overwhelmed by all your duties at work is to stay organized. It is vital that you be aware of all your projects and their due dates. Do this by regularly updating your calendar and checking your to-do list from time to time. If you have a chance during project meetings, ask your supervisor or team leader in detail what your deadlines are. If you think there are too many of them, break them down into more manageable tasks.
2. Set uninterrupted time for you to do your tasks
Frequent interruptions can certainly cause delays in your work, which can then leave you overwhelmed when the due dates are coming. Thus, you have to be creative enough to set particular times in the morning and in the afternoon where you should not be interrupted by emails, phone calls, and other forms of interruptions. It would be good also if you could put a “Do not disturb” sign on your door or work area so your coworkers will know when and when not to call on you.
3. Seek help to ease your workload
If you think you are receiving too much work, be open about it to your boss or immediate supervisor. Be honest in saying that you’re finding it hard to keep up with all your tasks. If you’re reasonable, your boss will be understanding enough to adjust your workload to help get you back on track.
4. Take time to relax
If you are satisfied with how you are performing at work, there’s no doubt that you deserve a break. Do not deprive yourself of the chance to rest and recharge as this will be very helpful as you try to take on more responsibilities at work. If you can’t afford to go on holiday trips, then looking for some enjoyable activities for the weekend will do. You won’t have to consider changing careers as long as you know how to deal with your duties and obligations.