Help them help you
Overworked? Don't just moan, help your boss prioritise your workload.
If you’re constantly overworked, drowning under deadlines, you need to talk to your boss.
- Be open about the challenges you’re facing. Use the stats you reviewed during your personal development to set the stage.
- Using data, not just feelings, will help your boss understand the extent of the challenge. You’re not just moaning - there’s a real issue.
- Give your boss options. List the things you’re working on, in what you think is the order of importance. Ask your boss if they agree with the order, and if anything is missing.
- Create a cut off point. Tell them, “I can only work on five of these this week,” or whatever number makes sense. Too many items on a list and you’ll never have headroom to complete them all.
- Give your boss the responsibility for deprioritising or stopping some of the things on your list. Ask for their support if you have to tell people that deadlines or delivery dates will be moving.
When to take this action
This action is from 'You're not superhuman' and should be used when you're overworked
Need something else?
personal-development
Watch yourself
Constant overwork can creep up on you. Use data to help you keep track.
personal-development
Suck it up, fix it, or quit
If you're constantly overworked then you have three options.
one-to-ones
Share the load
Remember to delegate. See how your team can help you work more effectively.