I'm sorry, I'm tired of apologizing
Elena Escobar
Work-Organizational Psychologist - Senior Director, Global People Partner @Flywire
I’m sorry…, I am late, I need a few more days to finish this,? I missed your email; or even,? I'm sorry…, mommy/daddy needs to work a bit more, I need to cancel our dinner out,? I’m just tired…, does it sound familiar? This is how some of my close network feels sometimes, and I must admit I have been there too.?
Are you doing something wrong? Absolutely NO, you probably are a highly responsible individual and very committed at work and home, but the constant guilt and failure feeling is REAL. You probably are managing your time as best you can but it seems not to be enough, and let me tell you something, sometimes it is not.
If you are lucky, this is a short peak, you can power through and make it, but if this situation takes longer it can spiral down pretty fast and impact your performance and personal life… but there is a wild card you can use to help you, not only to power through the peak, but to lighten your day to day, if you focus on managing your energy too.
Manage your energy instead of (or in addition to) your time is not a brand new thing, actually there are tons of information out there, and I wanted to share with you what were the strategies that I found more effective for recharging energy especially during peak periods, they are:?
1. Establish Clear Priorities: During times of high workload, it's crucial to identify and prioritize the most important and urgent tasks. Use techniques such as the Eisenhower matrix to distinguish between what's important and what's urgent, and focus on completing tasks that have the greatest impact on your work objectives first.
2. Break Work into Smaller Tasks: Instead of overwhelming yourself with large projects, break down the work into smaller, manageable tasks. This will allow you to make progress gradually and feel more motivated as you complete each task, thereby helping to maintain your energy levels.
3. Implement Strategic Breaks: Although it may seem counterintuitive, taking short, regular breaks during work can increase your productivity and energy. Use the Pomodoro technique , for example, by working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This will help you maintain focus.
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4. Practice Single-Tasking: Multitasking may seem efficient, but it can actually deplete your mental resources and reduce productivity. Instead, practice focusing on one task at a time, devoting all your attention and energy to completing it before moving on to the next.
5. Set Clear Boundaries: Learn to say "no" when necessary and set clear boundaries regarding your availability and workload capacity. Delegate tasks when possible, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. Respecting your own limits will help you maintain a healthy balance between work and your personal life.
6. Practice Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help you maintain calmness and mental clarity even in high-pressure situations. Take a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, whether through meditation, conscious breathing, or simply paying attention to the present moment.
7. Seek Support and Collaboration: Don't hesitate to seek support and collaboration from your colleagues when needed. Working as a team can not only make tasks more manageable but can also provide a sense of camaraderie and mutual support that will help you maintain your energy and motivation.
Extra tip: try to have fun! The work is tedious sometimes, but jumping on a call with your work bestie and having a good dose of laughs, getting your favorite playlist in the background can make it much lighter,? but most importantly, not take it too seriously ??
These are the strategies that I found most useful. Either using all or just one, depending on the peak period, project or moment in my life, all worth being shared to keep your energy high even during the most demanding times.?
This article is personal experience/view based, I hope these strategies are helpful to you and assist you in successfully tackling work challenges. Do you know other strategies? I would love to hear more, so please share in the comments!??
Sr. Director, Global People Partner @ Flywire | Masters Human Resources
9 个月Thank you for sharing! Very timely and wonderful ideas ??
CEO @ Flywire, Board Member, Investor, Advisor
9 个月???? Great post Elena! ??