Feeling overwhelmed?

Alison Martin

The alarm clock sounds. You wake up in a cold sweat. You’re in a panic and scared of what the day will bring. It’s Monday morning, and you’re already stressing about your list of things to do once you arrive at work. Feeling overburdened by your job or your responsibilities can lead to anxiety and a sense of powerlessness. Here are some tips and suggestions to follow if you are feeling overworked.

Identify it

Recognizing that you are overwhelmed or stressed, is the first step to alleviating the problem. Make a list of your duties and responsibilities, and determine which ones are causing you to be overworked.

Talk it out

Talk to an employee assistance counselor and let them know how you are feeling. These trained professionals can help you find a solution.

Look For Solutions

Take a proactive approach and share your feelings and solutions to your feelings of being overworked with your manager. Solutions might involve work-sharing, flexible hours, delegating work, hiring resources. By presenting solutions, you are giving them the opportunity to help you. It may be that they were unaware of the burdens that were placed on you. Be sure to keep notes on what was discussed, especially if they relieve you of some responsibilities.

Stay Positive

When we feel overworked, it's easy and natural to complain. But complaining can detract from your cause because no one sees the issue, they just hear the complaints. Resist the temptation to whine to your colleagues or to blame management for your situation. By staying positive, you indicate to your employer that this really is a problem but that you are willing to work with them at finding a solution.