What do you do if your workload is overwhelming and you want to continue your education in customer support?

Work with your stakeholders eg Customers/Manager to agree priorities and set expectations about pausing anything non urgent. Read Cal Newport’s ‘Slow Productivity’ which advises 1. do fewer things 2. work at a natural pace and 3. obsess over quality.

A workload that is overwhelming can be hard on one's self-motivation factor. I suggest stepping away from the workload even for a brief moment and change the scenery immediately. A small mind vacation will help one to re-group. Seek out the education that will offer the lighter side of education. Don't replace one heavy workload with another. Seek out classes that will improve your skills and think about evening classes or in person classes that offer face -to-face interaction. This type of interaction also builds customer support.

Prioritization can be overwhelming, but this is where technology like AI comes in super handy. You can have an AI program prioritize and schedule your tasks so you have a good place to start and avoid getting swamped with tasks that aren't important. It's important to focus on tasks that contribute to your long-term career goals and skill building.

I say find schooling that you are able to schedule around work and or reach out for help on being able to eliminate some the load with lil help from your friends Take breath breath you got this

One thing I have found helpful is having a planner this will help in scheduling your task at work, and let's you create time for your education. Doing this will help you achieve your career goals and education goals

Focus on the most critical issues only - Whenever you need to deprioritise, ensure you communicate this clearly to reset expectations. Agree in advance with your Manager/Customers.

Building a routine that centers around study and strengthening your skills is crucial to making the most of your time as a student/professional. In addition to work, it's also important to schedule in downtime and time to rest. It can easily become overwhelming to constantly be thinking about being productive, remember "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

Procrastination is a hard one! I look at my previous procrastination fails, and the missed tasks and accomplishments makes the list is longer than necessary. Time management is the key to everything whether big or small tasks. Set a daily goal schedule. Start out with mini goals. The feeling of relief and accomplishments will give you the boost to keep going. Calculate your wins at the end of the week and assess how much was accomplished and what's left to work on. Self-evaluation will improve your time management.

There are free resources all around you if you know where to look for them. The chief among these is your professional network and connections. There is nothing more impactful on your career than your reputation among colleagues and peers in your field, they can get you interviews you wouldn't otherwise know about, introduce you to further connections, and mentor you into higher echelons of your career field. Never overlook the people around you, and always be there as a mentor to those who look up to you in their careers.

Nike says, "Just do it" but for some that's easier said than done. There are more introverts than extroverts but seeking resources will help push you forward which is a must if you're seeking advancement. Seek resources inside to ask for referrals. the work realm and outside of it. Sign up for the mentor program on your job and build a relationship. Seek mentorship within your friend circle as well. Don't be afraid to ask for referrals.

You don't get an award for sacrificing your health and well-being for your career, so I don't know why so many people see being exhausted and overextended as a badge of honor. Your health has to take priority or else you'll have nothing to show for all your hard work in your career. Schedule in time to sleep, invest in healthy food, take time out to walk and spend time outside. These habits bolster your energy and keep the day-to-day stress at bay.

A good hot fudge sundae with nuts is definitely my choice but let's be sensible and smart. Its healthy to reward yourself for the hard work and making it to the end of the week. Mental health is stepping away from the computer and the workload and stretching your mind to a place of peace. Your peace may be a lunchtime nap, meditation, a 20minute walk or just sitting in a dark room in silence. Physically; encourage yourself to eat healthy at least 3 days of week. Take baby steps and eventually you will notice changes in your physical being as well as, your mental being. Hit refresh daily.

It's all about finding balance and being strategic with your time. Start by setting clear priorities and boundaries to manage your daily tasks more effectively, ensuring you carve out dedicated time for learning. Consider exploring flexible learning options tailored for busy professionals, like online courses or workshops that allow you to learn at your own pace. Don't hesitate to communicate with your employer about your educational goals; they might offer support or resources to help you juggle both commitments. Remember, it's also important to take care of yourself amidst the hustle — regular breaks and self-care practices can boost your productivity and keep you motivated on both fronts.

Being overwhelmed is not a badge of honour - seek support rapidly, reduce focus to only the critical. Working long hours may be a solution in the very short term but is not a sustainable solution. Look at your knowledge, tools and support network objectively.