When WORK Overload Becomes a Habit

A common problem that the workforce is experiencing is having too much work with less time and (frankly speaking) less compensated.

We can't deny the fact most of us have a lot on our plate and that additional task assigned on your key performance evaluations is somewhat taken up a lot on your supposed to be prior work. OR, you simply had a lot of things to do in the first place and you wish you could tri-replicate yourself, end of story.

A person like me who's in the rank and file does not complain as to what I am having on my job but c'mon, I still believe in Work-Life balance that's why I always rely on these 5 things when I feel that pressure is on top of me and the workload seems to engulf my whole system and would become a habit.

1. SET MY LIMITS

Rich Bells wrote on Fast Company about handling an increase workload was a great thing for me to start and that was to determine my limits and my max out. Always keeping in my mind that I am human as everybody are would turn me back again to know my limits and when to say "no" to some colleague who needs your help on their stuff at work. Before helping them, help yourself first. Period.

2. TWEAK YOUR PRIORITIES

On my previous article on how not to miss the deadline, priorities would always come around when we talk about work and you really need to know what's a rush and what can be worked out later. Having a list on what to accomplish helps out BUT there are tasks you didn't expect that needs an immediate attention and of course, you have to work on it. Once you're done, get back to your list and finish it.

3. PLEASE DON'T BE THE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES

Sounds the same with the first one but hey, these deserve a spot on his own. Now, a lot of us would want to impress our colleagues but mind you, you're boiling your own pot. You can't do almost everything and you can't accept favors from your colleagues especially if you're now in stress mode. Harvey Deutschendorf wrote on Fast Company "politely but firmly let the people you work with know that you’ve reached your limit and can’t handle additional work or interruptions at the moment."

4. IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP

On the same article, Harvey cited "But the people we ask for help seldom see that as a sign of weakness–most people are more than willing to lend a hand when it matters." Working in the real estate industry handling the sellers and managing all those accounts, not to say the system and other stuff, I always ask for some for help. Mind you, it will not just lighten your load a little bit but also reduces your stress.

5. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

These go to all workers who do overtime 7 times a week. Please, stop it. Let's accept the fact that work doesn't end in a one-day transaction and there's still tomorrow. Have that in mind because YOUR BODY WILL REACT TO IT. On an article published by  Entreprenuer.com, Ivette K Caballero, marketing communications consultant at IKC Consulting stated that “Take care of your body. Be conscious about what you eat and drink. Learn to listen to your body. Make sure you consume foods that will help your physical, mental and emotional being,”

And please bear in mind that having tons of work shall pass too. Just don't procrastinate.

Landing On A New Job

Most employees who quit their job would still think on how to adapt to a new culture, system or even the people when landing on a new job. Especially those who only have one spare day before on boarding to a new company might be challenging because you don't have a honeymoon time to wear off the previous company's culture, to pace yourself and deal with separation anxiety. Life as we know it never ends and I salute people who have experienced that because it is not easy.

Moreover, in the first week of your job might be interesting, challenging, doubts and your brain has a million questions but thou shall not fret because this article will help you on how to manage those first to the third-week scenario in your new job (or at least will ease the stress).

HAVE A FRIEND

The number one rule when you got on board is to have a friend. One or two is good for a start but don't be so friendly that they might think you are being so feeling close. The best person you can count on is your HR, they will help you to pace yourself and even adjust. Those who work in a multinational company and their Human Resource Department is in another location, your seatmate is your next option. With them, you can learn the culture, how the industry works and what's your boss' personality.

ASK ABOUT THE PROCESS

In every company, they have their process. Their system is different. Might be similar the system you are using on the previous company but the module is not the same. Don't be afraid to ask about the process to those who have stayed with the company for quite a long time. The first rule is not to be afraid to call the head office if nobody knows in your branch how this thing works. Email them about your concern but make sure to be precise and do not be vague about your concern, preferably with screenshots so that they can really check what occurred.

EMBRACE THE NEW CULTURE

The hardest part of the job is to adjust to the new culture. The process can be learned but the culture is the hardest since you have to depart yourself to the previous work culture you have embraced for a couple of years. A few weeks of tackling about your new company might be a common occurrence if you share experiences with your colleagues but as much as possible, learn how to detach yourself to your previous culture. Take it slowly and later on you will realize that things are different and the only constant in the world is the word change.

You will hear to other managers the line "there's no perfect company" and its true. The company won't adjust to your attitude or personality but you will be the one to cope up with them. Never miss to learn new stuff and accept feedback. In that way, you will learn to deal how to manage the differences in case you will jump off to another career or company. But, always make sure to keep your feet on the ground.

When The Gut Feeling of Quitting

"When you are not happy, then quit". Easier said than done. The work force nowadays is jumping from one company to another seeking for greener pasture but sometimes, looking for a far more better career opportunities with a big leap in their compensation and a somehow, a better boss.

So when do we say that the timing is right for quitting? Or when can we tender those resignation letters to our heads and start to list down the tasks for turnover? Quite difficult to say especially handing down your letter to your boss and then start debating why you need to go out there. Here are a few tips as to when you need to quit.

Your work is routinary.

People leave because they felt like their work is routinary already, from the day they got on board until the day they decided to quit. Some would say, "You haven't yet celebrated your anniversary and you're bored already?". Well, if you came from a different company and your task was somehow the same as what you are doing right now, you will really get tired and bored. People will always look for something exciting and new that could somehow suit their self-worth and curiosity. Some would love new challenges. As they say, looking for a career growth.

You can't stand your boss ANYMORE.

Client's don't come first. According to the new study of Gallup, 50% of employees leave their jobs not because of the task but because of their manager. The title of their released article says a lot already "Employees Want a Lot More From Their Managers". However, we really can't always say that he's a bad boss but what we can tell is that we expect highly of him and that includes our life outside of work. We expect him not to focus so much on the four corners of the office but greatly appreciate if how he truly values his subordinated and asks your life outside of work. Great managers learn how to deal with their subordinates, know who they are and can adapt to the subordinate he is talking to. Maybe your boss does not know how to develop your strength and eradicates your weaknesses making you not that engaged with your work anymore.

Better compensation.

More often than not, we quit because we have a bigger pay check to the company we are transferring. This could help us to pay our house loan and could really change your financial status. You decided to quit because you know even after 10 years of working, you still can't have that salary the other company is offering.

When you have signed already an Offer Sheet or Employment Agreement.

If you have signed that paper already, then that's not anymore a gut feeling but an opportunity to fill out those employee turn over sheets or tender that resignation letters.

One thing is for sure when quitting to your current job, is to always expect the unexpected to the next company and cliche may it sound but is absolutely correct, "There's no perfect organization"

Why ATTITUDE is important than MBA?

Although you might say that a job seeker with an MBA degree has an edge over other applicants, the attitude has still the great factor in getting a job. Why? Here are my top three picks as to "why".

BECAUSE IT'S INNATE

Some might have commas after their name like Juan Dela Cruz, MBA, Ph.D., REB, etc., etc., which sound amazing but that won't define who they really are. Though we can practically say that learning is their hobby, still that does not reflect as to what they are in the field or how they ran a business or how they engage in your clienteles. Attitude is innate in ourselves and that makes us who we are. It is not thought in the four corners of the classroom but an impact on our environment when we grew up, our upbringing, the groups we engage in and the way we handle difficult situation either personal or professional.

ATTITUDE VERSUS INTELLIGENCE

A lot of us might agree that Intelligence is a great factor in problem-solving, YES, but, how we handle may change it. Of course, those who are smart are eager to solve the havoc in a manner they were thought but those who had a growth mindset see things in a different way and handles the problem the best way they know how and results to a greater impact than done through articulate calculations. In reality, an MBA holder would aim for a higher job and a better salary and all you can think you can imagine because he's an MBA. More so, the attitude would drive us to persevere and aim for the best because we don't stay powerless. For example, Walt Disney who was fired because he 'lacked imagination and no good ideas' or Oprah Winfrey who was also fired because as TV Anchor because she's 'too emotionally invested in her stories didn't stop to achieve their goals. See? Our attitude overpowers everything.

BECAUSE ATTITUDE LEADS US TO GREATER HEIGHTS

Sure, an MBA leads us to better opportunities but our attitudes set us too far greater things than we expected. It teaches us how to be patient, passionate, going for an extra mile and being flexible which is a requirement not just in the corporate world but also in this complicated reality.

So, I hope I have shared some great things with you. Let me know your thoughts in the comment box. Hooray for those who have earned their MBAs, I'll have mine soon.