During the first day of our workweek, we can’t always be sure about how we’re going to be greeted by our to-do list. We, as Freelancers working on demand, are familiar with how unsteady our workflow can be. Feeling overwhelmed at work is more common among remote workers than you would imagine.
There are instances in which counting the number of floor tiles the office has is our biggest achievement of the day, just like there are some other occasions that just get the best of us—deadlines we have to meet, meetings we have to be at, calls we have to answer, and so on… More often than not, all of these things end up happening at the same time. It even starts to sound a little stressful, doesn’t it?
Yes, we’re adults and we have responsibilities to attend. “Maybe this week won’t be that busy” is the one thing we keep repeating ourselves a few days prior, hoping that that will be the case, but they can’t always be like that, can they? Spoiler alert: they cannot.
Of course, having lots of things to complete isn’t all that bad either, at least we’ll have something that’ll keep us preoccupied for the rest of the day.
In my case, I’m not a stranger to how these somewhat inescapable feelings of distress can creep up on me and overthrow my will to be productive at work, and I don’t think I know a single person who hasn’t felt like this at least once or twice during their professional lives.
In fact, according to a survey held by Deloitte, an England-based accounting organization, 77% of the 1000 respondents have experienced burnout during their current job. Pretty big numbers, if you ask me.
I’m sure you, the reader, have too. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the CEO of a company having their best season to date, or an on-duty Customer Service Representative helping a client solve an issue. We’ve all found ourselves in a hotbed of stress at some point in our lives. That’s why we created this article that’ll help you wind down on occasions like these.
Before we start with the advice, we need to understand what burnout is. Previously, we defined it as:
The state of mind in which you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.
If this concept hits close to home, I feel you. That’s the big bad we’ll try to take down today by understanding its signs:
You’re Not Motivated
If going to work feels more like a chore than anything else, burnout might be breathing down your neck already. This absence of motivation can be caused by many things within the office: maybe you’re not feeling fulfilled by the work you’re doing, or maybe it’s an issue that comes from the lack of communication between departments.
Nevertheless, doing your work with no heart put into it will ultimately end up in a mediocre result, and your supervisors will notice.
What would I advise you to do in this case? Well, I’d start by setting a clear (and small) objective to meet by the end of the day. Once I achieve it, I’ll feel productive. We can get very far by taking baby steps.
Additionally, looking for a way to make your job enjoyable is also advisable. I always try to look for a way to make my work adapt to my way of doing things. If the issue persists, I’d seek help from my manager or an HR Representative. They’ll know how to proceed in cases like this.
Your Performance Is Not At Its Peak
Adding to the previous point, your performance can severely suffer if you don’t give your 100% during your work hours. It can even cost you deals with clients if the results they’re seeing are just plain average and poorly managed.
Yes, leaving tasks half-done can sometimes be tempting. Some of them tend to seem endless, and at some point, it would be easier to just give up, doesn’t it?
To help avoid this, we already developed a list of tips that’ll help you be more organized, and thus, more productive. Easy things like setting a routine, engaging in projects more effectively, and determining your priorities can do wonders on your regular work schedule. Not a single task will fly past you.
You’re Grumpier Than Usual
There’s a fine line between preferring to work on tasks by yourself, and not wanting anyone to speak to you while you’re at work. With the first one, you can still make one or two acquaintances, but with the second one, you can get in trouble.
After all, what’s the point of attending the office if you’ll be putting on a mean face to anyone who gets remotely close?
I understand how our mood depends on a multitude of things, but we can’t let anything bring us down during our work hours. We do have the right to take a break and unwind from whatever it is that is bothering us, but that doesn’t mean we’re allowed to put others down.
If you need a rest from talking to other people, let them know beforehand and take a few minutes (or hours) for yourself. If they’re sensible, they’ll understand. The next day, make sure to charge your social batteries at home because you are surely going to need them.
You’re Starting To Experience Physical Symptoms
Up to this day, it has been proven multiple times before that stress can lead to ailments like headaches, heart problems, high blood pressure, sleeping problems, and so on… The list of symptoms is immense, to be honest, and quite intimidating if I may add. It just goes on and on.
Stress does sound like a powerful adversary to go against, doesn’t it? If left unchecked, it can wear us down until we’re nothing but a frail carcass of anxiety and uneasiness, but that doesn’t mean it’s unstoppable.
Depending on how serious the symptoms you’re dealing with are, I would recommend seeking the aid of a professional, whether it is a doctor or a therapist. Developing healthy habits like an adequate diet, exercising, or getting enough sleep each night can help you keep your mind clear, and your responsibilities checked.
You’re Attending Work Issues When You’re Not At Work
This issue is a little trickier to solve because it might not be up to us to mind work issues while we’re outside the office or during work hours. In some cases, we’re being forced to do so by our superiors. Incredibly outrageous, isn’t it?
All your job duties are meant to be done during work hours, not during your free time. Our home is a sanctuary, and no undesired visitor should trespass on it without our consent. That’s why setting boundaries is an important thing to do.
If the amount of work you have left is overwhelming, try reaching out to people in your team, and, by all means, leave everything done by the time you leave the office. If possible, try talking to your boss about those extra hours you’re not being paid for.
Now that we have reached the end, I hope the advice I gave is of good use to anyone who needs it. Remember: if you’re feeling overwhelmed at work: breathe in, breathe out, and give yourself a moment to figure things out.
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