How quickly time flies! During last year’s March Madness, I spent part of the time in London for work. Good times with good friends and colleagues.
Despite the good times looking back, we often experience not-so-good things along the way. Even little things can stress us out.
Sometimes, we know exactly what these things (colleagues, friends, tasks, etc.) are and they STILL can cause stress. Getting things done also might be a challenge.
At work recently, my team and I discussed a similar topic. We usually have a large, upward swing in terms of workload the last month of each quarter. This is very common across many industries and professions.
With the tension and stress already mounting, here are 3 things I reminded myself and my team. I hope your March isn’t all madness!
(1) Value Your Time
Remind yourself to raise your hand if you need assistance. Whether to a friend or a colleague (or just a self-induced smack across the back of your own head), reach out if you need something.
Even with an increase in workload (projects, tasks, emails, whatever), no one should need (and no one should be expected) to stay/work extensively late (or early or often – whatever time, duration, or frequency you do your work).
To be clear, I’m not advocating to slack off or not work hard.
Don’t have enough hours in the day? Not having enough time to get your stuff done is often the result of poor prioritization and/or planning.
Either individually or as a team, you often have the depth to ensure key objectives are completed. If you don’t, work toward building that depth.
Not everything needs to be done same-day or by the end-of-day. You just need to know what does need to be done and by when.
If you don’t know that, stop doing what you’re doing and figure this out first.
(2) Respect Your Partners’ Time
Depending on your profession or employment status, you might or might not have a fixed schedule.
For my team, we’re all salaried, exempt (non-hourly) paid employees. We do not have a set, fixed schedule, and business requirements might necessitate different coverage from time-to-time.
Being a quasi-client service/project team, we’re also able to come and go at slightly varied times.
As head of the group, I do have to put some restrictions and guidelines in place. Overall, I’m very lenient as long as things get done and we partner together to meet our business requirements.
However, if you’re in a similar setting, it’s key to ensure you’re considerate of when / how long you might be off the desk, and when you arrive/leave for the day.
If you work independently, this might not apply as much, but don’t forget you are still likely interacting with someone from somewhere who needs something from you – and vice versa. How do you want to be treated?
(3) Get Sh*T Done – Act Urgently and Follow-Up
Especially during busy times, but also as a best practice, act with a sense of urgency.
Yes, we need to be mindful and not make careless decisions. But we often analyze and over think things to death.
Understandably, clients or other partners can cause re-work and/or delays. Reasons can range from incorrect instructions or missing information to a client or colleague completely not doing something they need to do.
Part of the equation is working with others to address those issues. But so many little things become bigger f*ck-ups because assumptions are made or a lack of follow-through.
You sent an email? Congratulations. Now pick-up the damn phone and follow-up.
This might scare some people (a phone call vs. a text or snap chat), but it gets things done.
Looking Back and – More Importantly – Ahead
It’s funny. I know the last month of each quarter goes to hell at work. I used to get really, really stressed out.
Now? I still worry a little, but I don’t lose sleep like I used to earlier in my career. I’m doing new and far more complicated things now (and will hopefully continue in the future) – and that’s just it: we need to keep moving forward.
Afraid of failing? Yeah, me too – at least let’s try it. Words only mean so much. It’s our actions that reflect on us the most.
If you’ve done it once, you’ll be able to say to yourself “what’s next? I got this!”
It will only make you stronger in the long run even if you fall now. It’s all about finding your balance.
Readers, what are you doing to try to find balance? How do you manage different goals and initiatives across the various areas of your day? What are you focusing on?
Related:
15 Years Later: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
Late (Early) Edition: Thoughts at 2:00AM
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Nice article with some very good words to live by, but alas, easier said then done. Even being blessed with a great life I still worry about the family, economy, world peace and a lot of other stuff I can’t control. Teamwork can definitely help.
Thanks for the feedback.
Ongoing touch points and communication is key – this helps facilitate teamwork.