5 Ways to Deal When You’re Behind on Tasks at Work
We all fall behind at work. It happens, even if you’re pretty good at what you do. Sometimes your schedule just gets tighter, or something happens that delays your progress.
Before you know it, you realize you’re behind on your tasks, and the deadlines are closing in a little too fast.
What do you do when that happens?
You may find yourself panicking, which then means throwing yourself at work like a beaver. This method tends to work for most people, but it’s not very healthy and may cause more harm than good – if you’ve ever experienced burnout, you know how it goes.
Now, how do you deal with overwhelming work when you’re already behind schedule?
Here are a few simple ways to get back on track in no time:
1. Go Back to the Drawing Board
Ever heard of the saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”?
When you’re stuck with an overwhelming load of work and a looming deadline, you can’t really afford to keep going at the same pace, hoping that somehow things will fall into place.
Once you realize you’re in trouble, it’s time to revisit your game plan. Go back to the drawing board and figure out what needs adjustment. Three things you may want to do are:
- Categorize your tasks in the order of their urgency
- Start tackling high priority tasks first
- Allocate duration on each task to get a picture of what to expect
2. Get a Boost
Energy and motivation are crucial when you’re bogged down with work and time is not on your side.
You need something that provides you with that extra energy boost to get you through the long work hours.
For some, countless cups of coffee will do the trick.
However, safer alternatives are preferable, such as mindfulness therapy and certain cannabis strains known for boosting energy and productivity according to Veriheals article.
3. Take a Break
Being overwhelmed at work is stressful. You probably want to camp all day and night in the office. We all know how overwhelming things can get that you may even forget to eat, let alone take a shower.
Here’s the thing, though, while working nonstop seems like the best solution possible, it’s actually the least effective.
Here’s why.
Working without breaks is extremely draining, and when you’re physically and mentally beat, your productivity level suffers.
Sure, you’ll spend the whole night burning the midnight oil, but if you’re doing that with puffy eyes, chances are that you’re not going as fast as you think you are.
It’s crucial to take short breaks at work, even if time doesn’t permit it. These breaks allow you to regroup, giving your brain much-needed rest.
Make sure you don’t spend your break time at the office. Find a different setting that allows your mind to reset.
4. Let Someone in
Confiding in the people we care about tends to take some weight off our shoulders. It’s a timeless, therapeutic strategy that you can use to get back on track at work.
One of the advantages of sharing is getting a different perspective on things, which may happen when you talk to a loved one or workmate.
Think about it.
You’re talking to a friend about your work situation, and they say something that makes you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Remember, talking to someone doesn’t mean they have an answer for you. But it’s a way of releasing tension and verbalizing the situation, which may trigger new ideas.
5. Don’t Get Distracted
Allowing yourself to get distracted is one of the reasons you may fall behind at work in the first place.
When time’s not on your side, you can’t get sidetracked.
Try removing all avenues that lead to distractions, and you’ll notice you’ve freed up a lot of time usually dedicated to amusements.
Things like Netflix, hanging out after work, house chores, and the like should be put on hold for the time being.
Conclusion
Everyone ends up with a lot on their plate at some point. These tips will help you get back on the saddle.
Our best advice is to be honest with yourself regarding your workload. Figure out what’s possible and what’s not and take action, even if it means delegating some of the work.
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