These days, we all wear multiple hats at work. Whether or not you’re a project manager or in a leadership role, chances are you are juggling competing priorities. It follows that you’ve felt overwhelmed at one point or another. Between all the little things that need to get done in a week—the ongoing projects, stakeholders, meetings, schedules and task lists—how could you not?  

Thankfully, there are strategies you can employ to reduce “multiple project stress” and increase your overall efficiency. Here are five tips to help you better plan and manage your workload!

1. Don’t multi-task, block your time instead

This may sound counterintuitive as this article revolves around managing multiple projects. However, multi-tasking is not productive, and it won’t help you get more done. When you divide your attention, two things happen: you don’t do as good a job, and it takes longer to get it done. Unproductive right? Instead, practice task management by blocking chunks of time to focus on one project. Give the task at hand your full attention, and not only will you get it done faster, you will produce better work. 

2. Find your focus

This one might sound obvious, but you need to be able to focus in order to get anything done. If you are constantly distracted, then those chunks of time you’ve blocked off won’t count for much. Figure out what you need to focus. Some people can avoid the temptation of checking emails. If you’re like most of us, then you’re not one of those people. Something as simple as turning off notifications while working on a task can really help you focus. We’re all different. It’s just a matter of figuring out what gets you in the zone. 

3. Communicate and prioritize

Despite project management software, chat platforms and team check-ins, communication is still something that most people struggle with. It’s difficult to openly and transparently say what we think, feel and need. But not communicating is one of the main reasons we get bogged down and stressed out. If you find yourself in a situation where you have competing deliverables, try just talking to your team or your leader about it. Often, a manager or team mate will be able to guide you towards the right priority. 

4. Figure out where there is a flex room

Some deadlines are set in stone. Others might be a little more flexible. Figure out where there are hard stops, and where you have more wiggle room. Knowing which tasks fall under which umbrella will allow you to build more flexibility into your daily work. This is important because when something urgent requires your attention and takes you away from your time-blocking, you’ll be able to move things around to compensate. 

5. Set and manage expectations

At the end of the day, there will be instances where you can’t get everything done for everybody. If you proactively set and manage expectations, then this won’t be issue! Let your team mates and managers know when you have a lot on your plate, and when you can realistically deliver a task. If for any reason, you can’t keep a commitment, make sure you provide a revised timeline as soon as you can. This will prevent stress and relieve pressure for everyone involved. 

We hope that these five strategies will help reduce your workplace stress and increase your efficiency! 

Looking for an exciting, fast-paced career in a dynamic team environment? Discover your next opportunity at The Acquisition Group!