Dealing With Work Overload – The Sequel

Below we talk about how to manage Work Overload.  Specifically, we talk about how you can better manage Work Overload by better planning and communicating what it is you intend to do.

Wily Manager Member Comment:

“I’m all for taking responsibility for my workload issues and accept that many of my problems are probably my own.  However, how can you tell when you are actually overloaded through no fault of your own?  I took up a new role two years ago and I’m still drowning, but I’ve no benchmarks to judge against other than that I coped fine in my previous role for the same organization.” 

The Tough Talk About Work Overload

• If you’ve been drowning for two years it’s nobody’s fault but your own.
• It doesn’t matter whose fault it might be, what you need to do is focus on is how to get out of it.
• It’s not healthy for you or those around you to be perpetually overwhelmed.
• It’s not good for your organization in the long run for you to be perpetually overwhelmed as it can lead to turnover, lower quality, missed deadlines,  etc.

The Two Step Solution to Work Overload

While people occasionally have to push themselves to work some extra hours at times when something big is going on, working excessive overtime for extended periods indicates a fundamental failure in two areas:

1. Planning – What are you trying to get done, and have you set realistic time frames for doing so?

1. Communication – Have you effectively managed the expectations of your stakeholders?

Planning as a Solution to Work Overload

• Of all the projects currently under way, what’s the most valuable thing I can be working on?
• Which project will have the highest direct impact on our customers? How much will the work I am doing benefit them?
• How much “work effort” will each take?
• Am I doing something that could be done by someone else?

Communication as a Solution to Work Overload

• You need to build a plan to communicate and manage the expectations of all your stakeholders:
  • Take your plan to the boss.
  • Take your plan to the team.
  • Talk to the customer.
  • Talk to any other key stakeholders

Push Back on Demands to Manage Work Overload

• Question the value of every meeting or new project.
• Filter all requests through your priorities.
• Make yourself inaccessible at times.
• Ask for help where appropriate.
• Delegate whenever possible.

Three Things to Remember About Managing Work Overload

1. It’s your boss’s responsibility to get as much out of you as she can.
2. It’s your responsibility to tell her when you’ve reached “overload”.
3. You have choices.  Do nothing, Do something.

Watch the ‘3-Minute Crash Course’ about Dealing With Work Overload (CLICK THE ARROW TO START THE VIDEO):

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