Let’s be realistic: feeling swamped at the job is something that every single human being experiences regardless of how long they’ve been at it. Even attorneys with three decades of experience on the job will tell you that the pile of work sometimes feels like it is just moments away from rolling over on them. If you’ve ever been like someone running from a cartoon boulder of deadlines and demands, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. But the bright side is that there are tried-and-true methods to dig yourself out of the mud and back onto solid ground. Let’s go through the best methods for overcoming overwhelm in the workplace so you can breathe a little easier and feel more empowered.
1. Know and Accept Your Feelings
First things first: it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Denying it or trying to power through without pausing only makes things worse. Recognizing that you’re in over your head is the first step toward regaining control. Even the most experienced professionals admit to feeling this way, so give yourself permission to feel it without guilt.
2. Prioritize Ruthlessly
When everything at once is an emergency, nothing actually is. Step back and tell yourself: what really needs to be done today, and what can wait? Apply a simple system such as the Eisenhower Matrix to break up tasks according to urgency and importance. Get the needles moving first that will make a difference, and the rest will sort itself out eventually.
3. Break Up Tasks into Micro-Steps
Big projects are overwhelming if you approach them as a whole. Instead, break them down into teeny little pieces. Take one infinitesimally small step at a time, and before long, you will have actually accomplished something. Not only that, but you also get the additional bonus of feeling successful with each teeny little milestone.
4. Delegation Where You Can
You don’t need to do everything yourself. Consider what can be delegated to others whether it’s someone in your team, a co-worker, or even an external resource. Delegating is not dumping work; it’s ensuring the correct people are doing the correct job. The more you do this, the better it will become.
5. Set Boundaries and Say No
It is easy to say yes to everything, especially if you are a team player. But the healthiest thing that you can do sometimes is say no to the next request when your plate is full. Establishing boundaries saves your time and energy, and it makes people learn to respect your boundaries.
6. Utilize Checklists and Frameworks
When your mind is spinning, a checklist may be your life preserver. Jot it down, then check items off as you complete them. A few people use matrices or templates to quickly scan what’s most essential. They allow you to sift through muddle and record what’s most important.
7. Take Breaks and Step Away
It makes no sense, but the key to accomplishing more is sometimes doing less for a little while. Go for a walk, have a coffee, or just breathe slowly for a few minutes. Brief pauses can reset your mind and allow you to come back to what you were doing with renewed energy and fresh ideas.
8. Get Support and Communicate
Don’t suffer in silence. If you’re under pressure, grab a manager, mentor, or trusted colleague by the ear and say it out loud. Ask for assistance if you need it. Sometimes working through it can do a lot of good in your head and result in sensible solutions you never thought of.
9. Learn and Reflect for Next Time
Once the storm has passed, take a moment to reflect. What triggered your overwhelm? What strategies worked best for you? Use these insights to prepare for the next time things get hectic. Over time, you’ll build resilience and a toolkit of coping strategies that make future challenges easier to handle.
10. Remember: You’re Not Alone
We all get overwhelmed at some point or other, regardless of how together we may seem. The trick is to not let it overwhelm you. With the proper strategies, you can even get through the busiest days with grace and aplomb. So the next time that boulder comes rolling your way, just keep in mind that you’ve got what it takes to go around it and keep going.