What Do You Do To Cope When Work Gets Overwhelming?

[Zarostulus]

Genuinely really interested in this one, because it's a situation I find myself in at the minute. We have 4 very difficult clients on the go simultaneously, all of whom want things done last week, if you know what I mean. They don't understand that sometimes in our industry things have to me meticulously worked out and improvised on. They think we just push buttons and voila, the exact website they desire.

It means I wake up on a morning and wish it was bed time, and then I'll go to sleep on a night hoping the night lasts an age.

How do you cope with situations like these?

 

[St Rhenium]

Unfortunately I think it's just something we get used to after a while. Being self-employed is brilliant, but it does have its drawbacks. Periods like these are one of those drawbacks. I sometimes find myself wishing I could leave a place of employment at 5pm and push it right out of my mind and not have to worry about getting an email at 9pm, but then I remember the many superb benefits I get from being my own boss.

 

[Zarostulus]

Unfortunately I think it's just something we get used to after a while. Being self-employed is brilliant, but it does have its drawbacks. Periods like these are one of those drawbacks. I sometimes find myself wishing I could leave a place of employment at 5pm and push it right out of my mind and not have to worry about getting an email at 9pm, but then I remember the many superb benefits I get from being my own boss.

There must be steps that you take though to minimise the bad times? Perhaps a set of rules you abide by?

 

[Allegrif]

There must be steps that you take though to minimise the bad times? Perhaps a set of rules you abide by?

I have rules. When I'm done for the day, I'm done. No email checking or quick jobs - I'm done. You have to separate work and private lives or it gets messy. Likewise I refuse to work weekends, even if I know it will mean a stressful Monday. You work to live, you shouldn't live to work.

 

[St Rhenium]

I have rules. When I'm done for the day, I'm done. No email checking or quick jobs - I'm done. You have to separate work and private lives or it gets messy. Likewise I refuse to work weekends, even if I know it will mean a stressful Monday. You work to live, you shouldn't live to work.

That's all well and good, but what about when you simply can't afford to do that? Sometimes you just need the money, and you have to work until you have it - whenever that may be.

 

[Zarostulus]

That's all well and good, but what about when you simply can't afford to do that? Sometimes you just need the money, and you have to work until you have it - whenever that may be.

If you find this situations crop up regularly, then it may be time to evaluate what you do and what you charge a little. Are you undercharging for your services a little perhaps? My situation above, although it does happen, it's very rare.

 

[MapleTree]

I give myself a time out and go take a walk or something. If it's a quiet week, I may take a day or two off just to give myself time to rest and recuperate a bit so I'm focused when I have to get back to business. I've always thought that if you're overwhelmed or burnt out, you should always give yourself a break because the work you do will be second best if you keep on without taking care of yourself.

 

[EvolutionBlogger]

In the moment where I'm getting overwhelmed, I always take a break. Go for a walk or get a change of scenery. It's not easy too do, as I may be worried about deadlines, but it's the only choice I have. It might just be for 10 mintes, but it always helps me to become calm

I agree with the other posts. If your workload is making you unhappy, then you could try to set up businesses that don't need so much time. Businesses like property investment can be mostly passive

 

[Profise]

The truth is there isn't a one fix answer to this question as different stroke for different folks

What has helped me ad my business is automating 80% of the workload (with defined systems) and delegating 16% of the workload

I only focus on 4% and they are the most important aspect that moves the business and makes the most money

The truth isi have gotten to free up my time and surprisingly make more money