Do you often feel overwhelmed at work? The phone rings, Teams, Slack, and email notifications keep coming, and meetings run from morning to evening? Fortunately, there are ways to manage this. Here are some tips to help you overcome the rush!
In today's world, it's more common than not to have multiple tasks and responsibilities. Many people struggle with time management both at work and in their personal lives. Constant rush, however, erodes concentration, reduces motivation, increases stress, and can ultimately lead to burnout.
How to get endless rush under control? Rush is always a feeling and a subjective experience. First, you need to identify why you feel rushed, what factors increase the feeling of rush, and only then can you learn to manage it.
Overcoming rush by turning off technology
Technology makes some things easier but can easily increase the feeling of rush. Concentration and thoughts are disrupted every time the phone or Teams beeps. Studies show that it takes up to 15 minutes for a person to get back to the task they were working on before the interruption. If technology beeps every five minutes, we are practically always in alert mode.
Therefore, smart devices and chat applications should be set to silent if you want to do work that requires concentration. You don't need to check your email constantly; a couple of times a day is enough. A good employee wants to be reachable. However, no one needs to be on standby around the clock.
Taking control of rush by cleaning up the calendar
Meetings from morning to evening without breaks? To-do list overflowing? This is a familiar situation for many professionals. However, the calendar should not be filled to the brim.
Leave empty space and flexibility in the calendar for each day, as a minute-by-minute schedule creates a feeling of rush. A good rule of thumb is that about half of the workday should be filled. That's already a lot of work for one day. Additionally, it's worth reserving enough uninterrupted work time in the calendar.
Work doesn't end by doing it. Prioritization is a skill that everyone can learn. Prioritizing and listing tasks from most important to less urgent helps to see the situation: Think about what you can cut, what you can delegate, and what you can say no to. Not all tasks are equally important, and you don't need to empty the to-do list every single day.
Rush is managed by being present
The busier the day, the more important it is to take small breaks in between tasks. A break can be just a minute or two long micro-break. Our presence, which would be needed for the next moment, is still in the previous meeting. Taking a breath between meetings helps to recover for the next challenge.
And when you're in a meeting, be there fully. Multitasking is one of the worst habits and increases the feeling of rush. Many of us tend to do other work tasks during remote meetings. But the better we can be present, the easier it is to concentrate, and the feeling of rush decreases. Walking meetings are, for example, excellent ways to increase presence, reduce rush, and enjoy the therapeutic effects of nature.
Negative rush talk increases rush
Recovery is essential in overcoming rush. If the work atmosphere is constantly negative, you can never recover. If the whole week is filled with things that drain energy, you can never recover. Therefore, minimize the time spent with energy drainers and focus on positivity.
Constant rush talk also increases the feeling of lack of control and creates a stressful atmosphere. It's worth considering whether you really have a rush or if there are other reasons behind the rush talk.
Still can't manage the rush? Speak up
You don't have to be trapped in your role. Take action and discuss the matter with your supervisor. Don't stay alone with the rush but verbalize it. Seeing alternatives helps. If rush and stress have become a constant feeling, there is a risk of burnout.
Can I do something about it myself? Do work tasks need to be adjusted – or is rush perhaps a broader problem in the work community? For example, work supervision can help to stop and examine the situation. When the issue is brought to the table, it becomes visible, and it is easier to change things.
Tips provided by Barona's career coach and work supervisor Erja Karhinen, who helps people find new careers and supports them in life's crisis situations. Mental resilience is her specialty.