7 Signs You’re in Over Your Head
- You're more anxious and stressed-out than usual.
- Goals you thought were reasonable now seem insurmountable.
- You're feeling depressed when you should be feeling fine.
- Your schedule is constantly slipping.
- I can do this has turned into I'm going to do this if it kills me.
- You find yourself working even when you're not ... and shouldn't be.
- You're screwing up ... and you're not a screw up.
Once you've recognized that you're in over your head be honest with yourself and face the fact that maybe you need to get some help, let your boss know, ask for more time and resources, and start saying NO to the things are burying you deeper.
Image by RG
via 7 Signs You're in Over Your Head - CBS News.
Is Your Job Killing You? Identify the fast track to burnout
Eight profiles that put you on the fast track to burn out, and some suggestions for getting off that track.
- Overworked Underlings
No down time, no autonomy, no control. Such is the work life of overworked underlings. These employees are expected to work from clock in to clock out, do exactly and only what they're told, and be a slave to someone else's schedule.
Relief: Seek out opportunities to get involved in some aspects of decision-making at your job, even if they are small decisions. This can help you feel more invested in your company and more a part of the team. It may also help your boss see more of your skills and strengths, which may help when it comes time for promotions that can move you up and out of the underling role. - Frustrated Go-Getters
These are high-achievers who work until they drop, but feel as if they don't get enough recognition or financial reward for their efforts. These work situations can be defined as "effort-reward imbalances" and they're the perfect recipe for burnout, especially among high-achievers.
Relief: Communicate with your boss regularly about your goals and your boss's vision of where the company is going and how you fit in this vision. In other words, get on your boss's radar screen. Try to find out from these conversations what you can do to improve your situation. If, over time, you don't see any improvement, you may want to consider transferring to a new division in the company or moving to a new company where you think your talents and skills will be better appreciated and rewarded. - Castaways
Alone on an island surrounded by sharks. These workers are left alone to work out any problems that arise. They get little to no help or guidance from supervisors or bosses, and they have no one to turn to when they need to vent.
Relief: Share your concerns with the person in charge. Be specific as to what you need help with and when you need that help. Be as persuasive as possible in expressing what you feel is happening and how you think the situation can be improved. You also should try to connect with coworkers to reduce your isolation. If you can't get any relief from inside the company, share your frustrations with a friend or family member. Not only can venting (within limits) help reduce stress, you also may benefit from the experiences of your friend or family member who may have suggestions on how to improve your situation at work. - Doormats
Used and abused. These workers face demanding and abusive clients or coworkers on a regular basis and are expected to take it and fake it (suppress their feelings and be courteous, calm, and professional).
Relief: Ask for training on how to handle difficult people. Practice tried and true stress relieving and anger control strategies, such as deep breathing and counting to ten. And make sure you find a safe outlet to vent, if not at work then outside of work. Think of a pressure cooker with a broken release valve. You can only keep so much steam contained under your cover before you explode. - Targets
Used and abused by the boss. These workers are subjected to impossible demands, insults, and abuse by their bosses, or they see these things happening to other workers and live in fear that they'll be next.
Relief: No one should be victimized--on or off the job. Although it's impossible to find a completely stress-free workplace, you shouldn't have to remain in one that's abusive or so stressful that it affects your health and well-being. If you aren't able to resolve the problem(s) by communicating with the person in charge, report your experiences and concerns to Human Resources, your union, or law enforcement and/or an attorney (in cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment). - Tech Prisoners
Constantly connected. These workers are expected to be available 24/7 through cell phone, lap tops, or other electronic gadgets that cause boundaries between personal and professional life to fade, or in some cases, completely dissolve.
Relief: Schedule a gadget-free break into your day. Turn off all of your electronic devices to give yourself a chance to clear your mind. If your boss complains, direct them to learn more about how productivity suffers when workers are overconnected. - High Stakes
These are highly involved and invested workers who work in emotionally and/or physically charged environments (emergency room workers, lawyers, doctors, therapists, police officers, EMS workers). Over time, the demanding nature of their jobs often cause these workers to feel physically and/or emotionally exhausted.
Relief: Make sure you advantage of time off. Take vacations and mental health days whenever possible. If you aren't able to take actual vacations, take mental vacations by meditating to rest your mind and body. - Wronged Victims
Victims of organizational injustices. These workers feel victimized by unfair workplace practices, such as playing favorites, arbitrary or immature decision making, and a lack of transparency.
Relief: Communicate your concerns to the person in charge, using specific situations that exemplify your concerns. If nothing changes, you may need to consider transferring to a new division in the company or moving to a new company where you're on a more even playing field.
Picture by RG
via Is Your Job Killing You? | Psychology Today.
Focus on being productive, not busy
In "The 4-Hour Workweek", Tim Ferris says, “Slow down and remember this: Most things make no difference. Being busy is often a form of mental laziness – lazy thinking and indiscriminate action.” In other words, “work smarter, not harder.”
Take a quick look around. The "busy" outnumber the "productive".
Busy people are rushing all over the place, and running late half of the time. They’re heading to work, conferences, meetings, social engagements, etc. They barely have enough free time for family get-togethers and they rarely get enough sleep.
Their busy schedule gives them an elevated sense of importance. But it’s all an illusion. They’re like hamsters running on a wheel.
The solution: Slow down. Breathe. Review your commitments and goals. Put first things first. Do one thing at a time. Start now. Take a short break in two hours. Repeat.
And always remember, results are more important than the time it takes to achieve them.
via 12 Things Successful People Do Differently.
5 Ways You Sabotage Your Own Career Without Realizing It
- Believing that someone else is the problem.
- Putting yourself ahead of your company.
The best way to get ahead is to put the needs of your company first, and for the simple reason that doing your job well and going above and beyond the call of duty will come back to you eventually. That's just the way it works. Nobody's going to go out on a limb and shower you with raises and promotions until you prove yourself capable, which means getting results ... for the company. - Thinking you know better instead of listening and learning.
Those who act as if they know it all and have overinflated opinions of themselves are usually overcompensating for deep feelings of inferiority and insecurity. And everyone knows it but them. So, when you act that way instead of listening and learning, it's like holding up a giant sign that says, "I act big but I really feel small." - Feeling entitled to something.
You're not entitled to anything except to to work your tail off and maybe someday make something of yourself. - There's some magic secret to getting ahead.
Becoming successful in the real world requires every bit of whatever brains God gave you, the wisdom you learned along the way, and pretty much all your energy and focus. By definition, every brain cycle and moment you spend thinking there's a better way - a magic way - works against you by detracting from what it really takes to succeed: brains, hard work, and learning from experience.
Self-limiting or self-destructive behavior is a self-perpetuating infinite loop. Here's how it works:
- Things don't go your way, so you get angry and blame others.
- But, deep down, on some level, you know it's your own fault.
- So you feel guilty and ashamed and beat yourself up.
- That lowers your self-confidence and increases your self-doubt.
- Your work performance suffers as a result.
Round and round it goes, and there you have it: self-perpetuating career self-sabotage.
The first step to solving any problem is recognizing there is one, but changing behavior you've spent a lifetime developing takes a lot of work.
Photo by RG
via Are You Sabotaging Your Own Career? Probably - CBS News.
westXdesign’s (and my) future
Besides just a name change, westXdesign has undergone some pretty significant changes since 1992 when I first started this business. 20 years ago, providing technical services was more about doing things FOR the client - they didn't want to do things to themselves, and the technology was beyond most of their abilities. From building basic web sites, registering domains, and fixing office equipment, even how to install and use financial software. Over the years, as technology has become more end-user friendly, and more and more people use it in their personal lives and therefore are more comfortable with it, our primary business focus has changed from doing to consulting. And now, it's time yet again to take a serious look at what we do and how to shape our future.
This coming week will determine how much of my time goes into framing westXdesign's future. As an employee of a major corporation, westXdesign has become more of a side business, with less revenue each year, but also has become something I enjoy much more. Now, I find myself offering training on how to integrate technology into small businesses to improve productivity and save costs.
My full-time job has been fulfilling, and over the past 5 years that I have been with the company, I have had many opportunities to expand my skill set, and provide valuable services to end users. But now I have reached a critical point where my future happiness there hangs heavily on what opportunity is presented to me this week. This isn't the place to go into details, but I feel the time has come for a major change in my responsibilities, and whether that shift is there, or with westXdesign, I will make the most of my time to do the things I love:
Providing users with the tools they need to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, and helping them to use technology instead of letting the technology use them.
Photo: "Two Paths, One Destination!" by beautifulcataya, on Flickr
Stop letting work drive you crazy…
- Set realistic goals. Be clear with your boss what will be delivered and when.
- Create a work routine. Answer email at specific times during the day - once in the morning and once in the afternoon is good. Not everything needs responding to right away just because it shows up on your blackberry. Return calls during a certain time. Allot time for projects. Know that things do not always go according to plan but at least you have a plan.
- Leave work at work. Set boundaries between work and home. Because of technology people seem to be working all the time (I'm writing this on a Saturday morning sitting on my bed:) and that can feel like you do not have any 'off' time or 'me' time. You may find it easier to stay later at work and then come home knowing you are done for the day. You may find you are more productive if you go to work before everyone else so that you have undisturbed, focused time. It may also reduce your commute by traveling at off times. Or if you absolutely need to work from home, set specific times and take me time first. For example, I a writing this after having done my morning swim and walk.
- Space out holidays over the year so that you have regular breaks from work. Add days to long weekends or see if you can take off when there are natural lulls in the work cycle. When on holiday, disconnect
- Create a de-stress routine at work. Take a 15 minute break at least once every 2 hours and leave your cubicle or office and just get some fresh air. Exercise at your desk every hour. Do some stretches or some high knee marching or keep some 10lb weights to keep your arms toned.
- Exercise. Before work is best because it gives your brain clarity, gives you energy, keeps your mood even and you can be proud of yourself for having accomplished something before the work day has even begun. After work gyms tend to be busy and if you exercise too late it can make it hard to fall asleep because your body is all revved up.
- Connect. Be the one at work to suggest time out celebrations of little and large accomplishments. One simple step will be a 'dont eat lunch at your desk' day. Eating under stress causes indigestion and other digestive discomforts. Connecting with people in small and little ways creates bonds that improve mental wellbeing through social support.
via Is Work Driving You Crazy? It's Time to Stop the Madness! | Psychology Today.
The Perfectionism Paradox
The five seductions of perfectionism. Strategies that can go one of two ways: pay off big or cost you big.
1. More is always better. Sometimes that extra hour on a project really took it to the next level. However, be care of diminishing returns. Track when your time and effort are no longer paying off.
2. All mistakes are catastrophic. Who likes to make mistakes? On the other hand, research repeatedly shows that keeping your eye on what might go wrong will inhibit and decrease your performance.
3. Everything is equally important. Who doesn't want to be a stand out at everything he or she does? When unchecked, however, less important activities rob you of precious (and limited) time, effort and resources. Learn to prioritize based on values, interests and strengths.
4. If you want something done right...Sometimes others' standards are lower (and unacceptable). On the other hand, if you are always the go-to person the likelihood of burnout increases. Build yourself a "cabinet": different people in your life who excel in different areas. Rely on this group to share the load.
5. "Just one more minute..." Having an empty in box is a great feeling to leave work with. How often does that occur though? Skipping breaks and vacations can actually reduce productivity and creativity. Make sure to actively plan your schedule.
via The Perfectionism Paradox | Psychology Today.