Working is never easy. You have to manage the office politics and get yourself geared up for a day at work that you have done hundreds of times before. Even worse, you have manage the workload that has piled up on your desk over the days and weeks. No matter how much effort you exert, you never seem to make a dent in the pile of papers sitting on your desk.
As a result, the feeling of becoming snowed under begins to get suffocating. In effect, managing your job is all about managing your workload. If you get that in order, everything else will fall in line. It’s always a difficult thing to do, but here are a few tips that should make the transition easier.
Keep a diary.
A diary is essential if you want to keep on top of all your work. You can organise what works needs doing and when, so you know which pieces are urgent and which pieces you can leave for later. Writing down your ‘to do’ list is a great way of organising and prioritising your workload.
Prioritise.
It is pointless completing work that you don’t have to submit for days or weeks. It only adds more pressure and creates more stress. Yes, it is good to be proactive and to try and get a head start, but only if you can afford to. If you can’t, simply just leave it until you have the time. If you prioritise your workload efficiently and effectively, it will never get on top of you. A clearly defined list will allow you to hit the deadlines that you need to hit when you need to hit them.
Say no.
You can always decline if you haven’t got the time. Even if your boss asks you to do something, just politely let them know that you haven’t got the time. They won’t be angry. On the contrary, they will be happy that you are working so hard and pass it onto someone else who has got the time. It is always nice to help a friend or colleague when they need it, but you have to be prudent and realistic.
Manage communications
Don’t leave opaque messages that are cryptic; be clear and concise with what the message you are trying to get across. And demand that of your peers as well. The clearer and concise the communications, the more efficiently you can tackle the job at hand.
Delegate tasks
Of course, there is always another option. Depending on your budget and seniority, you can delegate the task to an outside source. Otherwise known as subcontracting, leasing work to external contractors is an effective way of getting your work done while saving time as well as money. For example, your marketing needs can be delegated to companies like Grey Umbrella Marketing, an SEO company and industry specialist. They offer a range of services.
If you don’t have that kind of power, you can always delegate to a peer or a subordinate. It is a great way to teach another member of the firm an essential task.