For many people, work is the source of the incomethey need to
survive. While many are happy intheir jobs, others are stressed out and
overwhelmed.
Chronic work-related stress can lead to anxiety and depression as
well as a host of other health issues.
Did you know that chronic stress can lead to serious
physical problems, including high
blood pressure, heart problems, weight gain or obesity, and chronic headaches?
Why You’re Feeling Overwhelmed at Work
Let’s face it. Most of us need our jobs, no matter how stressed
out they make us feel. But unemploymentisn’t an attractive prospect, so quitting
isn’t really an option. You just have to keep going.
But why are you feeling so overwhelmed at work in the first
place?Here are some of the most common reasons:
Accepting too many tasks
In many companies, the more tasks you accomplish, the more money
you get. Employees’ salaries are linked to their productivity. That’s why many people
are forced to take on more tasks to earn money.
Others are simply assigned too many tasks from management because
a multitude of deadlines is fast approaching, but the team’s still a long way
from hitting their targets.
Feeling unsure about work performance
Underperformance is a big no-no in any organization. After all,
the company wants to make a profit. If employees don’tperform, their substandard
work could jeopardize the business.
Yet, there are also companies with no clear parameters as to how
they rate employees’ performance. This can make people feel anxious about how
their manager feels about their work and make them worry.
Constantlytrying to meet tight deadlines
Understandably, deadlines are there for a reason. But employees
shouldn’t wait until the last minute before tackling their tasks. If that’s
their mindset, then theirduties will leave them feeling overwhelmed.
Too few resources to juggleyour responsibilities
In some companies, employees are forced to find ways to cope with
meager resources. Some workers even have to shell out their own money because
there are too few resources,but deadlines still need to be met!
Understanding too little about assignments
Many employers are so demanding that you might still fail even if
you’re good at accomplishing assignments.This is likelybecause you are given
too many challenging tasks, or you were too scared to ask questions about a particularproject
to ensure you complete it effectively.
Excessive workloads result in people failing to meet deadlines and
finding themselves overwhelmed.
Moreover, the tasks might be too difficult to accomplish alone, or
ifyou’re really just a newbie. For example, perhaps you’ve been asked to create
digital
fashion, but you don’t even know what that is! If that happens, ask. It’s
perfectly acceptable to seek guidance.
How to Manage Feeling Overwhelmed at Work
No one wants to feel bad, especially at work. Your job will become
more overwhelming if you don’t know how to cope. Here are some
tips to help you feel better:
Address underperformance
In today’s work culture, employers are demanding. They assign
peopletoo many tasks and expect them to do everything well.Schedule time to talk
with your immediate superior about this issue.
Ask for guidance
While employers want people to feel confident in their jobs andnot
require supervision, you can’t be expected to know everything. If the job is
difficult to understand, seek help. Be honest about it so you can learn.
Be honest about your workload
Some people say one thing to the higher-ups and something else to
the office gossip mill. Don’t do that. If you think your workload is excessive,
speak to your superior.
Build and follow a schedule
Being disorganized can takeits toll on your performance. Learn to
build and follow a schedule so you cancomplete yourtasks within the set
deadlines.
Challenge yourself to tackle theunfamiliar
Don’t put off those difficult tasks just because you’re unfamiliar
with them. Instead of feeling angry that you were given these tasks, embracethe
challenge.
Delegate
Depending on what type of job you do and your level of seniority,
you might already be ready to delegate tasks. This removes some of the burden that
you’ll shoulder.
Maintain a healthy work-life balance
Don’t be a workaholic! By maintaining a healthy work-life balance,
you won’t feel suffocated by your job.
Stop trying to be perfect
Sometimes, people becomeso obsessed with trying to be perfect that
they lose perspective. While it’s good to strive to do the best job possible,
obsessing with perfection can be counterproductive.By relaxing your stringent
rules, you’ll achieve more.
At work, everyone has responsibilities, quotas to meet, and tasks
to accomplish. When things get too difficult, and you think you can’t handle itanymore,
relax. Remain calm and think positive thoughts. Find ways to solve your problems
and use the advice in thisarticle as a guide to help you manage.
Good luck!
