What do you do if your sustainable design workload is overwhelming your schedule?

1 Assess your priorities

The first step to deal with an overwhelming workload is to assess your priorities and identify the most important and urgent tasks. You can use a matrix or a list to sort out your projects according to their impact and deadline. This will help you focus on the essential outcomes and avoid distractions or procrastination. You can also use this method to delegate or decline some tasks that are not aligned with your goals or values.

3 Optimize your process

Another way to cope with a heavy workload is to optimize your process and improve your productivity and efficiency. You can use various techniques and tools to streamline your sustainable design process and reduce waste and errors. For example, you can use templates, checklists, or standards to simplify your documentation and communication. You can also use software, apps, or platforms to automate or enhance some aspects of your design, such as analysis, simulation, or testing.

5 Take care of yourself

Finally, the most important tip to deal with an overwhelming workload is to take care of yourself and your well-being. Sustainable design can be emotionally and mentally taxing, so you need to balance your work and personal life and find time to relax and recharge. You can practice self-care habits, such as sleeping well, eating healthy, exercising regularly, or meditating. You can also pursue hobbies, interests, or passions that enrich your life and make you happy.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?