Too much work makes our mind and body tired and worn out in the long run, so we must fix this problem. However, talking to our boss about this is challenging. How do we raise this problem with him without seeming lazy or underhanded? In this article, we answer this question. We also point out that maybe our work is not much, and our perception is wrong. Stay with us until the end of the article.
How do we understand that our work is too much?
1. Pain and injury in some regions of the body
One of the consequences of working too much is pain and even damage to parts of the body. When we overwork a part of the body, that part of the body starts to hurt or cramp. For example, our backs and legs hurt when we sit or stand too much. Also, if we work too much with our hands, the wrist or any part constantly involved in the activity will get pain. If these pains continue, they are a sign of damage to that organ.
2. change of mood
Too much work does not only affect our body but also damages our psyche. Stress and anxiety, feeling very tired and lethargic are some of these symptoms. In this case, maybe we can reduce the working hours and spend our time on activities outside the work environment to revive our spirits.
3. Decreased performance
Our job performance is the amount of motivation and effort we put into it. If we work too much, our body and mind will get tired. In this case, it isn’t easy to stay motivated. With the loss of motivation and the appearance of job burnout, our performance also drops, and we can no longer focus as well as we did in the past and make more mistakes.
How do we talk to our boss about being overworked?
If the mentioned signs are seen in us, we should think about them. The first thing is to talk to our boss about this situation. Consider the following tips for talking to your boss.
1. Set a time to talk about it
It is better to schedule a time to talk about it than to bring it up unprepared. On the one hand, by making an appointment in advance, you allow your boss to prepare the necessary documents and documents to investigate the matter. On the other hand, the chances of meeting him privately are higher than when you go to him intrudingly. Give him your request in writing. Ask him to choose a time that suits him for this meeting.
2. Prepare your reasons
Prepare your arguments before the meeting. You want to find a way to reduce hours or workload. So, find strong reasons to document your desire. The following questions will help you understand how much work you have:
- Is what I do so much that I need several people to help me?
- Do I have the necessary resources and tools to do the work?
- Are my skills and abilities appropriate for what I need to do?
You can discuss your statements with trusted friends or colleagues before the meeting and get feedback from them about the maturity and solidity of your arguments.
3. Give examples to show your hard work
One of the best ways to show your boss that you work hard is to set an example. Mention the projects and programs that took up much of your time and negatively affected your mind and body. Give examples of things that could be left to others or things that others could help. Also, mention when you had to work harder than your job duties. Of course, there is nothing wrong with sometimes doing more than your duties, but if this has become a habit and expectation, it is not fair. By planning these things, you can show him what the situation is.
4. Instead of comparing, focus on your experiences
When raising issues with your boss, avoid comparing yourself to other colleagues. Doing so does not look good and reduces your chances of a successful conversation. Instead, focus on your experiences and feelings and clear examples of hard work.
5. Suggest a solution
After presenting the issue, suggest your solutions to solve the problem. Find and list some ways to balance your work hours or workload. Your manager will see your solutions and understand that you are an excellent problem-solver. For example, make your proposal with such a sentence:
“I think that if some work is removed from my shoulders, I can better approach my career goals and take care of some work that is emphasized by the organization so that I have helped to achieve the organization’s goals.”
6. Show your commitment
The topic of hours or high workload should not lead to the misconception that you have no obligation to work. You’re just complaining if you whine and offer no solution to the problem. On the contrary, by providing alternative solutions, such as doing lighter work or asking for more time to do things, you show that you are still willing and committed to doing activities and cooperation. For example, in a project, you can ask your manager to delegate a part of the work to others, and you can consult with them.
7. Consider your career goals
When talking to your boss, share your career goals with him. This will help him get a better understanding of your attitude and goals. This way, he can entrust you with tasks that align with your goals. You should look to the future in the meeting, not just complain about past events.
Tips for dealing with high work pressure
1. Set boundaries
You can reduce unwanted workloads by setting boundaries and clarifying them for your colleagues. For example, tell them you will not answer work messages and calls during vacations or at home unless they are urgent.
2. Prioritize things
Prioritization is an excellent way to reduce workload. Determine the most important tasks and do them first. That way, you finish them before you get bored or lose motivation.
3. Use stress reduction techniques
Mindfulness and meditation are ways to reduce stress and cope with work pressure. Learn these tricks and use them throughout the day. Even a small amount of daily exercise can boost your mood.
4. Discuss organizational culture
If your corporate culture is shaped so that work is overvalued, discuss the pros and cons of this value with other colleagues. Maybe you can make a positive change in the work environment and attitude of people in your organization.
5. Lower your expectations
Sometimes, we take on many tasks with unreasonable expectations of ourselves and face problems in dealing with them. In this case, it is better to reconsider our abilities and goals. By reducing expectations from ourselves and reducing workload, we give ourselves more free time.
Do you have a lot of work?!
Sometimes, we mistakenly think that we have a lot of work. How is this possible? One possible reason is our weakness in breaking large tasks into smaller ones. For example, we have been entrusted with a project that may seem complicated and overwhelming at first glance, but dividing it into smaller tasks makes it more straightforward. Sometimes, due to other problems such as family issues and the stress of non-work life, we feel we have a lot of work, which is not the case.
So before we go straight to our boss and raise the issue with him, it is better to ensure this is not the case. For this purpose, we can consult friends, family members, or experienced colleagues.
