I'm often asked what to do if you are finding yourself under too much pressure at work with a demanding workload.
Pressure is good for us; it excites us, stimulates us, and keeps us focused. Many of us are at our best when under pressure. Pressure is usually lots of things to do and not enough time to do them. We can all handle a bit of pressure from time to time we need it to keep us motivated.
However, when the pressure becomes relentless, we may become overwhelmed. So what can we do about it?
Clarify the timeline - Does the task have to be completed immediately or is there an opportunity to extend the time frame?
Delay the decision - When someone asks you to do something, tell them you just need time overnight to sort out your other tasks and commitments. This will give you time and distance to make the decision plus the bonus of making you look like you are in control of your workload.
Can someone else complete the task? You may be the right person but there will be others who are just as good as you.
Talk! Chat to your boss - agree with them that you can take on more work, then show them a list of your current workload and ask, "How do you want me to prioritise this list?"
Communication is key. Not only will saying something help get it out of your head, others may not be aware of how much work you have on so this is a good way of showing them. If you don't want to tell them face-to-face, send your list of tasks in an email and ask your manager to number the tasks in the order that they would like them to be completed.
Remember that you need downtime to do things to relax. Saying "no" can be difficult, more so if you have got into the habit of saying "yes". Know that saying "no" can also be exhilarating. Your brain will eventually thank you for saying it.
It is important to have pressure in our lives, it keeps us motivated, enthused and vibrant. However, it becomes detrimental to our health when we are under relentless pressure and see no clear way forward.
Let's talk!
Managing Pressure.