You’re feeling overwhelmed at work. How can you get back on track?

1 Identify the sources of your overwhelm

The first step to overcome overwhelm is to understand what is causing it. Is it a specific project, deadline, or problem that is stressing you out? Is it a lack of resources, support, or feedback? Is it a conflict with a colleague, a boss, or a customer? Is it a personal issue, such as health, family, or finances? Write down the main sources of your overwhelm and rank them according to their urgency and importance. This will help you prioritize and focus on what matters most.

2 Delegate and outsource what you can

You don't have to do everything yourself. As an airline manager, you have a team of people who can help you with some of the tasks and responsibilities that are overwhelming you. Learn to delegate and outsource what you can, and trust your staff to do their jobs well. For example, you can delegate some of the administrative, operational, or customer service tasks to your assistants, coordinators, or agents. You can also outsource some of the technical, legal, or financial tasks to external experts or consultants. This will free up your time and energy for the more strategic and critical aspects of your role.

3 Set realistic and clear goals and expectations

One of the reasons you may feel overwhelmed is that you have too many goals and expectations that are vague, unrealistic, or conflicting. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and disappointment. To avoid this, you need to set realistic and clear goals and expectations for yourself and your team. For example, you can use the SMART framework to define your goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. You can also communicate your expectations clearly and regularly to your team, your boss, and your customers, and make sure they are aligned and agreed upon.

4 Manage your time and energy effectively

Another reason you may feel overwhelmed is that you have too much to do and not enough time and energy to do it. This can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and reduced performance. To prevent this, you need to manage your time and energy effectively. For example, you can use a calendar, a planner, or an app to schedule your tasks and activities, and block out time for your priorities, your breaks, and your personal life. You can also use a to-do list, a checklist, or a tracker to monitor your progress and achievements. You can also use some techniques to boost your energy, such as breathing, meditation, exercise, or music.

5 Seek support and feedback from others

You don't have to deal with overwhelm alone. As an airline manager, you have access to various sources of support and feedback that can help you cope and improve. For example, you can seek support and feedback from your peers, your mentors, your coaches, or your network, who can offer you advice, guidance, or encouragement. You can also seek support and feedback from your team, your boss, or your customers, who can offer you input, recognition, or appreciation. You can also seek support and feedback from your friends, your family, or your therapist, who can offer you empathy, comfort, or perspective.

6 Celebrate your wins and learn from your mistakes

Finally, you can overcome overwhelm by celebrating your wins and learning from your mistakes. As an airline manager, you have many achievements and successes that you can be proud of and grateful for. You also have many challenges and failures that you can learn from and grow from. By celebrating your wins and learning from your mistakes, you can boost your confidence, motivation, and resilience, and reduce your stress, anxiety, and negativity. You can also inspire and empower your team, your boss, and your customers, and create a positive and productive work environment.

7 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?