10 strategies for when you’re feeling overwhelmed at work
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by your todo list? I do. Instead of imagining my tasks as a boulder to push, I like to think about them as a collection of bricks to carry: write the email, read the report, create the presentation, etc. When the pile of bricks becomes too heavy, I feel overwhelmed. But I've collected some strategies from coworkers over the years. Here are 10 you can try...
1. Replace “need” with “choose”
Reinforce your own agency when you talk to yourself. Do you need to carry all of those work items (bricks) at once? Or could you choose what to carry?
7. Share your bricklaying plan
Your colleagues want to understand what they can expect from you by when – it helps them plan. What have you left behind? Postponed? Sometimes they’ll spot differences in priorities and that’s good to discuss directly (vs. being slowly revealed).
10. Ask for help
Your manager can help you evaluate relative importance and urgency. They might bring new perspective. Can you break that heavy brick into smaller ones? Can a teammate help you carry it?
9. Zoom in and focus on just one brick
If your only job this week were to do one critical thing and nothing else, what would you be doing differently? Should you do that?
8. Zoom out and forget about the bricks
Your work is (usually) fun and (always) complex. You’ll pick up new skills and experience along the way even if you put down all of your bricks for a while. *3-deep-breaths*
2. Set down all of your bricks
Enumerate them - write them out. Which do you choose to carry this week? Are there any only you can carry? What if you had to pick 3?
3. Throw postponable bricks forward
Put tasks on a private calendar, on your to-do list, into 1:1 agenda docs. Set up meetings with other people as a reminder to get non-urgent things resolved. Try out different tools to find ones that work for you.
4. Leave unimportant bricks behind
Things change! Don’t lug around bricks you don’t need. Think about how you’re making an investment of your time and energy. Rest really is more important than you think.
5. Pass bricks to other people
Other people can carry your bricks temporarily. “If you haven’t heard from me by Thursday, please follow up.” "Look into this and let me know what you think, then we'll decide."
6. Give bricks to other people
Other people may get energy from tasks you find draining. It can be freeing to give things away and better for both parties.
