The loss of a teammate often means an increased workload for you. This can be a significant source of stress.
You may be asked to take on additional tasks and responsibilities. Due to an already heavy workload, the additional activities can seem endless.
Figuring out where to start can feel intimidating. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to plan your work and accomplish everything by the deadline.
Here are some strategies to handle the increased workload caused by the loss of a teammate.
Plan Your Work
Make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish for the week. Then, break down the list into the tasks you want to finish each day.
You may want to focus on the purpose of each task, the deadline, the desired results, the key performance indicators, and the potential challenges to determine which tasks to complete at a certain time. This helps provide clarity for the tasks, deliverables, and desired results. It also helps you understand your priorities and timelines.
Block out on your schedule the required amount of time to complete each task. Be sure to include time to take breaks and to handle unexpected events.
Prioritize Your Tasks
Determine which of your tasks are priorities and which are not. You may want to use an Eisenhower Matrix to separate your tasks into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important.
Your urgent and important tasks should be scheduled for completion right away. Your important but not urgent tasks should be scheduled for later. Delegate your urgent but not important tasks to a teammate. Eliminate your tasks that are not urgent or important.
Take Breaks
Walk away from your desk at regular intervals. This gives your brain time to rest and recuperate. It also helps your body stay energized and your mind focused.
Take a walk, meditate, stretch, listen to music, or read a book during your breaks. Be sure to eat healthy foods during your lunch hour. This helps maintain engagement and productivity and reduces feelings of stress.
Consider Finding a New Job
If you regularly find yourself with an increased workload, it may be time to find a new IT job. Be sure to involve RightStone in your search. Here is a link to our job board.