Overwhelmed with work? This is a very common topic I get asked about.
Perhaps you feel you are pulling the weight more than your colleagues and you are the one staying late? Or the department is short-staffed, so a lot more is falling on to you?
Perhaps you are speaking up, but it doesn’t feel welcomed by the manager, or nothing is actually being done about it? You might have some fears about speaking up all the time, to not become the so-called annoying employee. This is weighing heavy on you and the worries of burnout are on the horizon.
Overwhelmed with work solutions
1. Reflect on the love and your contributions
It is insightful to reflect on the love you do have for your job, even if it feels teeny tiny. You could also reflect on how fully you do show up and recognise the strengths you do contribute at work. This in itself may shift the perspective slightly.
2. Nourishment
I always suggest finding ways to nourish yourself outside of work, to help you feel stronger as you are. This could look like exercise, spending time with friends and family and focusing on your loves. All of this will help contribute to quality downtime, so your nervous system can settle.
3. Reflections
Reflecting slightly on why the other workers are not as motivated, perhaps it isn’t a job they enjoy or, they are more consumed with life outside of work, or perhaps there is a common problem that you are all facing. Sometimes it helps to zoom out from our own perspective onto the larger picture. It can soothe to know it isnt just you facing a struggle.
It may be that you feel totally alone in your struggle and is not connected to the team, in which case reflecting on this pattern has arisen before in another scenario. What exactly don’t you like, allow yourself to go there, perhaps writing it down so it feels a bit lighter.
4. Management support
Do you have good communication with your manager? Are they aware of your concerns? It is good to get clear on whose responsibility it is with each role, which should really fall to your manager. If not, does your manager have a manager you could go to with your suggestions and concerns?
5. Acceptance
If you have tried raising concerns but they are not open to making changes, then you will either need to accept how it looks and focus on strengthening yourself as best you can, so setting boundaries and nourishing yourself. The other alternative is to seek other employment. It might be worth it before you were to leave, to share with your boss how it is impacting you and also how much you love your job.
What I can offer in coaching support:-
Relaxation techniques to feel more you, to feel stronger as you are and to calm the nervous system.
Find clear boundaries within work and promote your nourishment outside of work.
Becoming unstuck from mindset patterns that are holding us back and keeping us small.
Exploring alternative options, if leaving is a good solution and to prevent the same pattern from occurring in a different job.
Only you can decide is a very true and annoying saying, sometimes we want someone else to make the decision, so we don’t have the pressure. From being an indecisive person, I have been there, with the torment of decision-making. The nail-biting, frowning, and pressure we can put on ourselves. I share 6 tips to help you get clear on how to make a decision that sits right for you and your alignment
Sometimes pausing and not making a decision, which is also a decision, is a perfect choice, and focusing on your loves as a space for easing out of the overwhelm, can help balance out the stress.
CHANGE OF SCENE
Literally, changing the environment you are in, whether it is a walk, a different working space, and getting out in a different head space is a real support. Perhaps it is invigorating to our body and mind with the fresh air, or giving us a break from not feeling stuck in the thinking, even if it’s for 10 minutes, get out from where you currently are ruminating
RELAXATION
Rather than being in a space of need, allow yourself the space of desire, as in asking yourself, what does my soul deeply desire today? What can I do today to support myself? Perhaps it is literally, to have a bath and relax. You are totally allowed to do this and it supports us in being gentle on ourselves.
FRIENDS
I have found immense power in sharing things out loud, it somehow frees you from the little being in the victim story. Share the load and your friend needn’t actually say anything or take responsibility, as we have to discern what is right for us, but it can for sure help tapping into your support network during this time.
JOURNAL
Just start by offloading a little, to support freeing up your brain space. You can do the old pros and cons table, however, I usually start by sharing what my loves and passions are, which is linked to the below.
LOVES
Reminding yourself of what you really enjoy in your life now, or what you would like to bring about. Reflecting on your values and what is important to you, can also really support you in feeling more heart full, than in a state of worry. Perhaps you have goals, perhaps you have no idea, even asking yourself where do I see myself in 6 months, 1 year or where would I like to be? This can help start a trail of breadcrumb steps, rather than getting stuck in the how, but playing with the possibilities.
VISUALISE
Allow yourself to consider going through with the decision and see yourself there in the situation, what is going on, how is it feeling, what are you doing? These are all questions to ask yourself. You can also imagine yourself with the other option of the decision and asking yourself again, how does it feel?
RECEIVE SUPPORT
Sometimes, having a guide to hold you through the process can really serve. What has helped me has been Mbit and Reiki.
Mbit is a guided process, where you go within to check what your head thinks, what your heart feels and what your gut truly hungers for. You will be surprised at this process, it is amazing what wisdom we have available from within. This also supports us if we feel our head wants one thing, but our heart wants something else. We align our brains from within, so internally we feel more soothed, clear and aligned. You can ask the specific question and also enhance the overall connection you have to yourself.
Reiki is a peaceful and relaxing way to receive support from the greater source, or the divine, also called angels, spirits and guides, using oracle cards and energy. This helps in removing blocks and can reveal fresh energy and insights into what could support you.
Ultimately, decisions can often work themselves out and knowing we can always change our minds or simply learn for the next decision if it dosent go so well. So, the key is relaxation, self-care, doing what you love and enjoy, and using your mind to visualise to support you in becoming clear.
