5 tips for managing your workload

Is your ‘to-do’ list getting longer and longer? Does it feel like no matter what you do, you can’t get on top of it?

You start making tracks on a project, and then another one is added on.

Balancing your workload is an art. Being able to take on new challenges and projects can lead to significant personal and professional growth if you manage them correctly.

You can make the most of your office time, meet deadlines and still make it to dinner with your friends, with a little organisation.

Here are our tips to help you find balance and stay productive

1. Prioritise your tasks

You know what they say, first things first. The same applies to your work-life.

Write a list of all the tasks you need to get done and the deadlines.

Highlight the ‘must do’s’. These could be actions you must take to meet a deadline or an important task that will move a project forward.

I know it can be tempting to put these off but try getting them done first.

And Voila! You’re managing your time.

Pro tip: Don’t let this renewed focus mean you should put everything else off, be careful of tasks sneaking up on you.

2. Done is better than perfect

There’s only so much time you can spend on one task and only so many hours in a day.

At times, we have to be OK with accepting that we don’t have the capacity to deliver a project or output the way we would want.

We have to accept that some of the work we do will have to settle for good enough.

This doesn’t mean handing something in you’re not proud of; it’s about embracing your capabilities in the time frame we have.

Let this fact liberate you.

The more time you spend obsessing over one task, the more you’re buried in unfinished work.

Have faith that what you have done is acceptable.

3. Ask for help

Whether you’re in an office, running a small business or you’re an executive, if your work is mounting, ask for help.

Depending on your work environment, this could be asking a colleague to proofread a document, speaking with your manager about bringing on a temporary employee with specialist skills or outsourcing your work to a virtual assistant.

If you’re swamped, can’t catch a break or if you’re struggling with something, there is no point suffering by yourself.

Speak to whoever you need to get help. Better to ask for help early than deliver an output late.

4. Take a deep breath and relax

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, you need a circuit breaker.

Try some meditation or a bit of exercise. Do whatever feels right for you and allow yourself the chance to take your mind off your work, even if it is just for a moment.

Giving yourself the opportunity for a mini reset will improve your productivity.

Once you are calm, you can tackle your workload with a clear head that isn’t muddled by stress.

5. Try saying no

In the workplace, we tend to overestimate what we can do.

We want to succeed, to be seen as being a team player, but this can often come at a price.

If you’re already at capacity, try saying no.

If saying no seems daunting to you, try practising it in the mirror.

If you have to say no, explain why. Reasonable people will respect your honesty and understand your need to manage your workload.

 

Do you use any of these techniques at work?

If you’re interested in getting support to develop your pesonal management skills, book your FREE discovery call today.