Feeling overwhelmed at work is a common experience, especially if you are managing a busy home life with young children. Add in unexpected sick days or poor sleep and the stress compounds. Here are some effective strategies to help you regain control and stay organized:
1. Prioritize Tasks
Identify the most important projects:
Ideally if you are working in an office, you have a manager you can keep a clear channel of communication open with. Use each 1:1 meeting to clearly state your top 3 priorities, the next 3 steps you plan to take on each, and confirm with your manager that this aligns with their objectives as well.
Break down large tasks:
Be realistic and clean on what you can get done today. Choose either one task that is time and focus intensive and block off your calendar to spend your first half of the day on it. Time how long it actually takes to complete this task. Timing yourself has two effects; first, it will motivate you to stay focused and on task as you are operating against a clock, and second, the more you practice this, the more accurate you will be in accurately estimating how long your work takes you to complete.
The Overwhelmed Working Mom Secret Weapon: delegate tasks whenever possible
If you have the authority at work, delegate tasks to others who can handle them. You have the authority at home to delegate as much as you want to as well. Outsource grocery shopping, lean on meal delivery or meal kits, and have a roster of free or paid help to call on for childcare emergencies.
2. Create a Place and System for Your Thoughts
Utilize a task management system:
Consider using digital tools like task management or notetaking apps to streamline your workflow. Managing work and personal tasks, as well as reminders, in a digital system accessible on your laptop or smartphone can be a game-changer.
I've found that Trello has been particularly helpful for managing long-term career goals. By breaking down these goals into achievable monthly steps and visualizing my work week as a task-based Kanban board, I've gained much more control over my productivity.
Through experimentation, I've developed a system for capturing new ideas and longer-term follow-ups that used to get lost. This approach, which involves drafting and cultivating ideas over time, sets a task and thought management system apart from simply using a calendar.
3. Define Daily Routines
Start of the work day routine:
Create a daily routine that involves checking relevant places such as your inbox, task management system, calendar, and focusing your morning energy on your most important task of the day.
End of the work day routine:
The most effective shut down routine allows you to walk away from your desk with a plan in place for tomorrow. Decide what you will focus on for the first 90 minutes of your work day tomorrow. Write down the task on a piece of paper and leave it on your desk where you will immediately see it when you sit down tomorrow morning.
4. Practice Self-Care and Stress Management
Take breaks:
Step away from your desk periodically to rest and recharge. Walk outside, leave the room and give your eyes a rest from screens, or lay down and meditate to a free YouTube meditation.
5. Mental Health: Seek Support and Assistance
Consider professional help :
If stress is significantly impacting your work or personal life, consult with a mental health professional.
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional, none of this advice constitutes medical advice.
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