We have many unconscious reasons to take on other people’s work at home, friends or place of work when we already have our own responsibilities that need to be met efficiently. To meet the demands of your employer or at home, you know that you need to work as a team and not alone. Do you find there are always one or two members in the team who make your manager/supervisor delegate their work to you and your colleagues, friend or family member? Focusing here on what you can do at work that can be applied to your personal life too.
You know who they are; the ones who claim to be too busy, have personal crisis (weekly) or even go as far as saying “you do it so much better so you should take it on”. The tasks are given to you because you don’t draw the boundaries as you are too busy trying to prove yourself or even out of fear. Therefore the managers don’t address the real reasons that person is delegating their responsibilities, creating a continuous cycle because they know you will do it.
The “avoider’s” are very charming, nice and wonderful at networking. You will find they are also the ones who get the promotions and recognition despite your hard work and dedication to do the job better and faster.
Become aware of the talent they have and expertise they apply to delegate their work. They claim they are too busy yet have time for long lunches, networking with the bosses or even have the gall to watch the football game during working hours. Whenever you are asked to take on extra work or are struggling to meet deadlines for someone else’s tasks, monitor your feelings. You may not be completing work to the same standard anymore which will affect your well-being, you may experience increased stress and anxiety levels or even physical symptoms.
If this is happening to you.
My coaching tips are:
- Thank them and very nicely say “I would love to help, but I have a lot myself”.
- Never volunteer to do the same type of work you are already doing nor any low impact/level assignments.
- When someone says they don’t have time or are not capable of doing their job, then never take it on yourself to do it.
- Suggest to teach them when you have time, or for them to find someone to show them how to do it.
- If you think you can do something faster and better then definitely don’t do it, instead go network with someone.
- If you feel bad or guilty talk to your thoughts. Self-talk your way out of these feelings. It’s the best thing for you; it’s your time and energy that matters.
- At times you do need to work late. But never for someone else’s failures and reasons. Definitely not when it impedes on you after your work hours and if you still have a pile of work yourself.
- An experienced manager/supervisor’s responsibility is to delegate and mange the people who can’t or won’t do their job well or on time. It is not yours to cover for their ineffectiveness and increase your workload and the problem becomes yours.
Work on your unconscious reasons why you take on other people’s work. Build your belief, strengthen your confidence and learn to say NO.
COACHING CAN HELP!