In the bustling landscape of modern workplace, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, particularly when navigating the additional challenges of ADHD and depression, as in my case. The recent instance of having to shoulder a colleague’s workload during their long-term absence, without any direct replacement, pushed my stress levels to new heights. Juggling an expanded scope of tasks, I found my work-life balance tipping dangerously. This situation also hindered my ability to focus on upstream activities like AI coding learning.
However, drawing upon my extensive work experience, I instinctively turned to tried-and-true methods for handling excessive workloads. I’d like to share these strategies with you:
- Deep Breathing: When tasks become too numerous and deadlines loom, tension mounts, and focus narrows. Taking about ten deep breaths, which hardly takes 30 seconds, significantly eases the tension. By the tenth breath, I find myself more relaxed and able to view my tasks from a wider perspective.
- Using Just One Post-it Note: On a standard A6-size yellow Post-it, I write down the day’s tasks in order of priority. The limited space on a single Post-it is a physical reminder of the finite number of tasks I can realistically tackle in a day. This visual prioritization clears the mental clutter and restores a sense of control.
- Two Short-Term Productivity Boosters: To increase productivity in the short term, there are essentially two methods: simplifying tasks for quicker completion, and outright elimination of unnecessary tasks. For instance, reducing the detail in reports or presentations to cover only the essentials can save considerable time. On the other hand, postponing or eliminating tasks that aren’t crucial can free up significant bandwidth. Many tasks are more habitual than essential.
- Prepare for the Worst-Case Scenario: This is a strategy I regret not utilizing sooner. Had I anticipated the worst-case scenario, I could have streamlined my work more effectively. For instance, I spent unnecessary time verifying data that, even with some errors, was sufficient for the purpose. The unforeseen issues and emergent priority tasks that arose were a reminder that sometimes, having a buffer for the unexpected is crucial.
It’s easy to become tunnel-visioned with downstream tasks, leading to unnecessary stress. Though I haven’t completely mastered stress management, these situations are often within our capacity to handle, or they should be escalated to those with the necessary authority.
Remember, unless it’s a world-saving mission, it’s not worth excessive stress. If the task is unavoidable, finding smarter ways to manage it is key.
I hope these tips prove helpful to many who are grappling with work-induced stress.
Jake