You’re feeling overwhelmed with your workload. How can you manage it and reduce stress?

1 Identify your goals

The first step to manage your workload is to identify your goals. What are you trying to achieve in your work? What are the desired outcomes and outputs? How do they align with your organization's objectives and values? By clarifying your goals, you can focus on the tasks that matter most and avoid distractions and irrelevant activities. You can also set realistic and measurable targets and track your progress and results.

2 Analyze your situation

The next step is to analyze your situation. How much work do you have to do? How urgent and important are each task? How much time and resources do you have available? How do you prefer to work? By answering these questions, you can assess your current workload and identify the gaps, challenges, and opportunities. You can also use some operations research tools, such as decision trees, network diagrams, or simulation models, to visualize and evaluate different scenarios and alternatives.

4 Schedule your work

The fourth step is to schedule your work. How do you plan your workday, week, month, and year? How do you allocate your time and energy to different tasks and projects? How do you coordinate and communicate with others? To schedule your work, you can use some operations research techniques, such as critical path analysis, Gantt charts, or PERT charts, to sequence and monitor your activities and deadlines. You can also use some time management tools, such as calendars, timers, or apps, to organize and automate your work.

5 Execute your plan

The fifth step is to execute your plan. How do you start, continue, and finish your tasks? How do you deal with distractions, interruptions, and procrastination? How do you maintain your motivation and concentration? To execute your plan, you can use some operations research concepts, such as feedback loops, control charts, or quality management, to adjust and improve your work processes and outcomes. You can also use some productivity hacks, such as the Pomodoro technique, the 2-minute rule, or the 80/20 rule, to boost your performance and efficiency.

6 Review your results

The sixth step is to review your results. How do you measure and evaluate your work? How do you celebrate your achievements and learn from your failures? How do you identify and implement improvements and innovations? To review your results, you can use some operations research models, such as cost-benefit analysis, sensitivity analysis, or scenario analysis, to analyze and compare your actual and expected results. You can also use some reflection tools, such as journals, surveys, or feedback, to assess and enhance your skills and knowledge.