During times like these when companies all over the world are struggling to make ends meet, people are losing their jobs left and right, and business are cutting hours and resources. But just because there are fewer people around doesn't usually mean there's less work to do. In fact, it often means just the opposite. So what about the people left behind?
If you're suddenly finding yourself doing six people's jobs because of lay-offs (or because it's just always been that way at your company), chances are you feel like you're running around like a chicken with its head cut off. You're dealing with ultra long days, tons of extra responsibilities, and having to get everything done while you're over-worked, over-stressed, and overwhelmed.
Sometimes, you just have to grin and bear it, and get to work. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to lessen your load a little... or at least make it a little more bearable. Read on for a few tips on dealing with your workload while maintaining your sanity.
Take care of yourself.
Maybe you don't have time to spend an hour every afternoon in the gym just now. But that doesn't mean you don't have time to take care of yourself. It doesn't take any extra time to choose a salad over a cheeseburger for a quick lunch. Or to drink plenty of water throughout the course of the day. Stress is draining on your body. So be sure you're taking care of it in other ways. Because getting sick most certainly isn't going to reduce your stress levels.
Don't rush.
Yes, when you have to get something done, it sometimes needs to be done quickly. Oftentimes, though, taking a little time before you complete a task to organize your thoughts and plan exactly how you're going to go about it will help you finish it faster rather than wasting time wondering how to get it done. It's also empowering. The more you plan, the more you feel like you have at least some element of your life under control.
Take notes.
When you're rushing around at work with a thousand things to finish before lunch, you don't have time to work on projects that don't have pressing deadlines. But if you don't organize your thoughts about those projects, where will you be when their deadline comes around? Use your Blackberry or carry around a little notebook to jot down ideas, concerns, problems, or solutions that pop up for projects or tasks you have on the back burner. That way, you don't lose focus on your current project, but you can ease your mind that you're keeping track of future projects as well.
Schedule times to keep on top of your inbox.
If you're anything like me at work, pretty much all of your work-related communication comes to you via email. And if you're anything like me, the temptation is to open any email as soon as it arrives so you can deal with any problems or learn of any news quickly. But when you're over-worked, this isn't the most efficient policy. When you stop a project ten times an hour to check a new email, you tend to lose your focus. Don't let this happen. Instead, have several times a day set aside when you check your email and voicemail, and stick to that schedule. It's a great way to help you keep focused.
Take a moment just for you.
Sure, your boss would love it if you ate lunch at your desk every day. But he would probably also love it if you slept there. There is such a thing as asking too much! Even if you only plan to surf internet dating sites during your lunch break, don't spend it at your desk. Take some time away from your workspace, take a walk, and get some fresh air. There's nothing better for clearing your mind.
Speak up if you have to.
Maybe your boss already has a good idea of how hard you're working. But it's also possible that he or she doesn't. If you're feeling hugely stressed and over worked, maybe it's time to speak up. Even if there's nothing your boss can do about your work load right now, knowing how much you've done --and how much of yourself you dedicated to doing it-- may give you a leg-up when it comes to promotions or raises when the time rolls around. Or when company gets back on its feet.
