Comments on: Practical ways to get going when the workload is overwhelming http://underpantsoffice.com/2008/12/08/practical-ways-to-get-going-when-the-workload-is-overwhelming/ Helpful stuff for those who work at home Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:39:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jo Johnson http://underpantsoffice.com/2008/12/08/practical-ways-to-get-going-when-the-workload-is-overwhelming/comment-page-1/#comment-6032 Jo Johnson Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:56:38 +0000 http://underpantsoffice.com/?p=447#comment-6032 Another obstacle for some of us is our own personal desire to help or an overriding sense of empathy with the client's need for urgency. I find it incredibly hard to say no to a client's tight deadlines, even when it is obvious to both of us that they have requested the work very late in the day. And as a result, projects that could have been very enjoyable end up being pretty stressful. Other projects still need to be worked on, so the working day simply has to get longer and longer.... And as you say, this impacts on performance, quality, relationships and health. I guess, I'm thinking that another necessary strategy is building greater self-confidence and setting and feeling the validity of clearer boundaries. In this economic climate, that can be a very tough call. Other companies are always available to jump and snap up urgent work and we do run the risk of losing work, and potentially losing clients despite the fact that they like us and the work we deliver.... A big one: the emotional side of managing workload and client expectations during a recession.... I feel an article coming on. Another obstacle for some of us is our own personal desire to help or an overriding sense of empathy with the client’s need for urgency. I find it incredibly hard to say no to a client’s tight deadlines, even when it is obvious to both of us that they have requested the work very late in the day. And as a result, projects that could have been very enjoyable end up being pretty stressful. Other projects still need to be worked on, so the working day simply has to get longer and longer…. And as you say, this impacts on performance, quality, relationships and health.

I guess, I’m thinking that another necessary strategy is building greater self-confidence and setting and feeling the validity of clearer boundaries.

In this economic climate, that can be a very tough call. Other companies are always available to jump and snap up urgent work and we do run the risk of losing work, and potentially losing clients despite the fact that they like us and the work we deliver…. A big one: the emotional side of managing workload and client expectations during a recession…. I feel an article coming on.

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