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Too Much Work, Note Enough People

Have you ever asked yourself "If only I had a second pair of hands, I could..."?

In today’s work environment, managers are asked to take on more responsibility with less support, which produces more stress. However, successful managers can set expectations and manage boundaries to keep their stress levels down and to satisfy the needs of their boss and organization. 

For many, this means knowing what tasks or objectives they can accomplish in a given period. Too often we let outside forces dictate what we can achieve. We often think about what others need and not what we need to succeed. Tracking what tasks we are working on, the time it takes to complete them and considering work/life balance leads to success. .

Managers know that setting realistic expectations is a significant factor in their success. Most successful managers “climb the ladder” because of their ability to manage projects and delegate responsibility. This ability is enhanced when they share their expectations and boundaries with others. Sharing allows you to validate their process and create awareness. 

Successful managers make time for the things or people who help them achieve their success. This is the challenge that distinguishes average managers from successful ones. The latter takes into account the “big picture.” They realize to enjoy work you must enjoy life.

You can develop the skills for setting expectations and managing boundaries by doing the following:

  • Take account of everything you are doing both personally and professionally. List these items in a calendar, on a sheet of paper or more formally on a spreadsheet.
  • Assess how much time you have to complete these tasks. Make sure you give ample time to complete them. 
  • Look at what you are trying to accomplish and make adjustments.
  • Share with others your goals for speci?c tasks and gather their feedback. Do not GIVE feedback, take it in.  By doing this, you will gain perspective on what you want to accomplish.

Once you know your expectations, then begin setting your boundaries.  Share your current workload with others before taking on additional responsibilities. Others can initially help you decide what tasks to prioritize and which ones may not be as necessary, based on your goals.