Working Too Much Doesn't Work

Oct 1, 2024

Contrary to popular belief, workload is not the only cause of burnout,
but it is often top of mind for people and gets the most attention. When we think
about what contributes to our risk of burning out.

So let's break it down.

Our experience of workload is tied to whether we have sufficient time and resources to do what is required of us.  

When we don't, a key indicator is exhaustion and once we are exhausted, it is very hard to see our options clearly.

Do you recognize this mental spiral?
 
"I can't do it all but I'm too tired to make a change; therefore, I have to buckle down and do it all. Now I'm even more tired.

Either I can add more hours to the day or I'm destined to be this exhausted forever."

In my work helping hundreds of leaders thrive at work, I see exhausted people get to where they think of workload in very all-or-nothing terms: either I can add more hours to the day or I'm destined to be this exhausted forever.

In reality, it can be helpful to dig underneath this big term of Workload and examine what, specifically, might be contributing to what we are experiencing.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS

• Do you have opportunities to do what you enjoy, to pursue career objectives, and to develop professionally?
• Are you doing tasks at times or in ways that take you longer (for instance, when the only focused time you have without distractions is mid-afternoon but you are sluggish and fuzzy-headed at that time)?
• Do you have to create workarounds to deal with inefficiencies?
• How often do you have to redo work because of unclear expectations, ineffective processes, etc.?
• Are you attending meetings that do not add value to your work or where you don't add value to the meeting?
• Do you wind up unable to delegate because a deadline is too close to bring anyone else up to speed?
• Do you have adequate periods of recovery from demands such as crisis situations or repeated deadlines?
• Do any of your tasks take more mental, emotional, or physical energy than you have available?
• Are there tasks that you do not have the skills to effectively complete?
• Do you have sufficient uninterrupted time to think clearly without distraction when you need to?
• Do you work during down times out of habit?
• Do you struggle with boundaries (like saying no)?
• Do you involve yourself in any work that is not your responsibility?
• Do you believe (or are you expected to believe) that everything is equally important?
• Are you stretching to meet a new challenge but winding up working beyond healthy limits?

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Something to Try

Step #1 

Really understanding **what's contributing to excessive workload** can help you make (or ask for) the change you need. 

Step #2

Then, start your thought with "I can...," "I could...," or "I'm willing to...". This can help you hone in on what is in your control.

Here are real world examples from my clients that might give you ideas to try.

"If wind up unable to delegate because a deadline is too close to bring anyone else up to speed, I can practice building in lead time for delegation"

"If I believe (or am expected to believe) that everything is equally important, I am willing to collaborate with my team to audit our workloads for what is most important."

"If I am attending meetings that do not add value to my work or where I don't add value to the meeting, I could ask for read-outs instead."

No one idea works for every situation but the key is to tap into your own sense of agency by focusing specifically on the issue to be addressed and what you can, could or are willing to do.

_{Reference: "The Burnout Challenge" by Christinia Maslach and Michael P. Leiter}