Provocare Coaching

If You’re Feeling Overworked, is it possible You’re Doing it Wrong?

We’ve all been there before. You’re up against a deadline, have a million things to do, and feel the pressure. But instead of hunkering down and getting things done, you find yourself procrastinating, wasting time on social media, and generally just spinning your wheels. Sound familiar? If so, then you’re probably doing it wrong. Here’s a look at why you’re feeling overworked and how to fix it.

Are you Prioritising correctly?

One of the biggest reasons you might feel overworked is that you don’t know how to prioritise your tasks. When you’ve got a million things on your plate, it can be tough to figure out what needs to be done first. As a result, you end up wasting time on tasks that aren’t that important while the more pressing matters go by the wayside.

The solution? Make a list of everything that needs to be done, then rank those items in order of importance. Once you’ve got your list in order, start working on the most critical tasks first. Not only will this help you get more done, but it will also relieve some of the pressure you’re feeling because you’ll know that the most important things are being taken care of.

Failing to understand the value of specific tasks

Another reason you might be feeling overworked is that you don’t understand the value of specific tasks. For example, you might spend hours working on a presentation due next week when the presentation isn’t that important and could have been put together much more quickly. The solution? Make sure you understand the purpose of each task and how it fits into the bigger picture. This will help you see which jobs are worth your time and which can be done more quickly.

Failing to take enough breaks

If you’re working all day without taking any breaks, then it’s no wonder you’re feeling overworked! Our brains need time. To rest and recharge, and if we don’t give them that time, we’ll start to feel the effects. The solution? Make sure you’re taking breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time. Get up, walk around, get some fresh air, or chat with a colleague.

You’re Trying to Do Too Much at Once

multi-tasking is often touted as a valuable skill, but the truth is, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. When you try to do too many things at once, your brain isn’t able to focus on any one task, which means that you’re not giving your full attention to anything.

This can lead to subpar work and even more stress as you try to keep all of the balls in the air.

Instead of trying to multi-task, focus on one task at a time. Turn off all distractions (including your phone), put your head down, and work until that task is done. Once it is, move on to the next thing on your list. You might not think this approach is very efficient, but trust me—it is. By entirely focusing on each task, you’ll get more done in less time and with fewer mistakes.

You believe working longer is productive

Overtime might seem like an excellent way to get ahead, but working too much can have the opposite effect. When you’re constantly working long hours, you wind up burning out, both mentally and physically. This can lead to mistakes, subpar work, absenteeism, illness, and many other problems. In short: it’s not worth it. Instead of working until you drop, take some time for yourself each day. Even if it’s just 30 minutes for a quick walk or reading your favourite book, taking some time for yourself will help refresh your mind and body so that when you sit down to work again, you can give it your all.

You fail to plan and are not organised

If you’re constantly scrambling to get things done, it’s a sign that you need to start planning and getting organised. When you have a plan, you know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done, which makes it much easier to get things done promptly. Try using a planner or calendar to map out your week to get started. Write down what needs to be done and when you plan to do it. This will help you stay on track and use your time wisely.

You’re a perfectionist.

One of the biggest reasons people feel overworked is that they’re perfectionists. They want everything to be just right, which means they spend more time than necessary on each task. This can lead to even more stress as you try to live up to your high standards. Perfectionism can be a significant roadblock when it comes to getting things done. If you’re a perfectionist, you must learn to let go. No one is perfect, and that’s okay. Instead of spending hours trying to make something perfect, do your best and move on. This will help you get more done in less time and be stress-free.

You don’t delegate

You quickly become overwhelmed and overworked when you try to do everything yourself. The solution is to delegate. Learn to trust others to help you with your work. This will take some of the pressure off you and help you get things done more efficiently. When delegating, make sure you choose the right person for the job and give them clear instructions. This will help ensure that the task is done correctly and on time. Remember relying on peers for help works both ways —not only will they likely be happy to help you, but you can also return the favour when they need it.

You’re a people pleaser

If you’re always saying “yes” to others, you’re setting yourself up to be overworked and stressed. You can’t do everything for everyone, and that’s okay. Learn to say “no” when needed. This will help you focus on your work and avoid taking on more than you can handle.

You’re a procrastinator

Procrastination is another major cause of stress and being overworked. When you put off doing something, it only adds to your workload and causes more stress. Instead of putting things off, start working on them right away. This will help you get things done promptly and reduce your stress levels.

You’re scattered and easily distracted

If you’re constantly being pulled in different directions, it’s tough to get anything done. You must learn to focus on one thing at a time and block distractions. This will help you stay on track and get things done more efficiently. When trying to focus, turn off your phone, close the door, and put away anything that might distract you.

Feeling overworked is no fun. If you find yourself in this situation, chances are good that you’re making some mistakes. These errors can easily lead to burnout, whether it’s not knowing how to prioritise or doing too much. Luckily, they’re also easy enough to fix. Just make a few minor changes in how you approach your work, and before long, you’ll find that those feelings of being overworked will start disappearing.