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.

Don't Miss The Deadline

A lot of people are struggling to balance their work including their personal lives, thus work-life balance was coined for these common goals of every millennial working in the corporate world. However, it may be a common goal, it's not even common especially those who still struggle to balance their tasks.

Most young professionals who just finished their tertiary education and landed in a job that requires them, not just their effort but also their time may find it difficult to pursue the common goal. In fact, they have overlooked one single factor that hinders them from achieving this stuff but the culprit of all havocs; TIME.

Yes, cheesy and boring but its TIME. And a lot of you have already been dozing off for another paragraph of time management for you have been hearing these 5 or 10 years ago and had tried all sorts of techniques but failed. Or maybe some had improved their work, but maybe a little percentage.

A friend of mine who has been working in the Real Estate industry for more than a decade has shared me three easy steps to achieve this and of all the time management techniques I have tried, these are kinda different for it only requires three words.

A real estate is no different from all other industries in the corporate world but what differs from others is that time is of the essence. Every single second is important and should not be wasted and I for one can attest to that. Ladies and gentlemen, she told me three things to achieve what I have been looking for 10 months ago after I got onboard on my current job - DELEGATE. SEGREGATE. ANTICIPATE.

DELEGATE

Handling more than 200 accounts in a single project burns out my entire energy for the day (and even my entire stay here in the company), however, delegation taught me that I can't be a jack of all trades handling different tasks at the same time. Yes, we can multi-task for 3 or 4 jobs but if you'll add up those accounts to your daily work routine, better be sure you got insured yourself cause it may exhaust you and can affect your health. Keynote for this is to ask someone to help you with the task till the project is finished or ask the management if they can hire someone to help you out. Or if you already have a colleague, let her understand your situation and divide the task. Which one is for him and which one is for you. Do not be afraid to ask. Open communication is important for the success of every project.

SEGREGATE

After dividing the task, your next step is to segregate what is needed or the priority and which can be dealt later on or let your colleague do the task. After pointing out what is the priority, work on it and deliver what needs to deliver on time. In achieving this goal, there might be spills but the important thing is you have delivered the task on time. However, make sure that the spill will not go beyond 5% and your quality of work is not compromised because you're in a hurry. The other task that can be dealt later should not be left hanging but allow your colleague to work on it while you're focused to the top prio. In that way, you can save time and effort to accommodate all the accounts or task.

ANTICIPATE

Plan ahead. After learning what had happened on this accounts, plan 2 to 3 months before the deadline if it's a huge project. In that way, you give yourself a huge amount of time to work on the next deadline. There will be no cramming, no sleepless nights or an irate boss. Remember, the past teaches us something for the future and your current problem may be prevented if you will plan ahead. If you yourself can question what may require in the future for the success of this account or projects, jot it down and work on how to achieve it.

Three simple words but helps a lot. Probably the simplest one ever shared to me and I am thankful I have learned this. After you have mastered to balance your time at work, you can achieve work-life balance. Just make sure to remember D-S-A!