{"id":7375,"date":"2017-02-06T14:44:31","date_gmt":"2017-02-06T14:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterindia.com\/career-advice\/how-to-reduce-your-workload-and-get-the-life-you-want-7375\/"},"modified":"2023-10-04T17:14:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T11:44:34","slug":"how-to-reduce-your-workload-and-get-the-life-you-want","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.sg\/career-advice\/how-to-reduce-your-workload-and-get-the-life-you-want\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Reduce Your Workload and Get the Life You Want"},"content":{"rendered":"

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You routinely put in 14-15 hours a day at the office and often throw in a couple more on the weekend\u2014but you\u2019re still struggling to meet deadlines and on some days feel so overburdened, the quality of your work slips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please, just stop. Apart from the obvious health hazards, it\u2019s counterproductive and no one has ever won an award for being the last to leave\u2014at least no one we know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anti-workoholism policies are rare in Singapore\u2014but egged on by the progressive culture at startups, many companies are subtly discouraging overtime. If you\u2019re working for a business that hasn\u2019t embraced this culture, here are some helpful tips to clock off early and get the most out of your core work hours:<\/span><\/p>\n

Reduce your workload<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nMany companies equate long hours with getting more done. This couldn\u2019t be further from the truth. If you\u2019ve bitten off more than you can chew, it\u2019s time to talk to your boss and ask for some responsibilities to be taken off your plate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Figure out what takes up most of your time. If the majority of it is spent on routine tasks, don\u2019t hesitate to ask for some to be delegated to other members in the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plan ahead to get the most out of your day<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nBefore you get into work, make a list of all your unfinished projects. Prioritise and allocate time you need to get each one done. Setting a time limit and using shortcuts can be useful. Do not fixate on inconsequential details that prevent you from moving on to the next task.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be concise<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nNo offense, but some people are really good at appearing busy and overworked.<\/span>
\nYou will see them complain about their workloads, and they\u2019re often the ones telling people what they\u2019re doing \u2013 at meetings, during lunch, to friends on the phone – rather than actually doing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changing this mindset is like breaking a bad habit. A good start would be to cut out distractions and set strict, non negotiable deadlines for yourself. Minimise time spent in meetings, and be mindful of having the same conversation twice. Involving a helpful friend or colleague to ensure you stick to your schedule is key.<\/span><\/p>\n

Set aside some time for yourself <\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nWhen you\u2019re planning your day, I urge you to set aside some time for yourself or for passion projects. It could be half an hour at any point of the day to do anything you want \u2013 read a book, build an app, go for a yoga class, meditate, or go for a walk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enforcing a hard stop at 6pm or rewarding yourself for not working weekends are also useful things to do when you\u2019re on the brink of a physical or mental burnout.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seek help <\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nIf you\u2019ve tried everything but still find that you are a compulsive workaholic, it\u2019s time to call in the big guns. Consider joining a support group or hiring a mental health professional. Workaholism, experts say, much like other mental health issues can be treated with therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Need to chill out? Check out our Career Resources for some great career advice<\/a> to keep you happy, healthy and productive.<\/span><\/p>\n

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