How to Best Ask for Help When You Are Stretched Too Thin

The workload is piling up and there is no way you can complete all the assigned tasks within the given time frame. Even if you were to work through the weekend, it would be impossible. You are conscientious and have a hard-earned reputation for delivering on time. Should you just do what you can and leave the other tasks undone?

Performance management training experts say NO. It is far better to face the impossibility of the workload and seek help from those who have asked for the work from you. Here is how to plan for the difficult conversation:

  • Share just the facts…no whining. Make a list of all you have been asked to do and how much time you estimate will be needed for each task. If possible, highlight the gap with a graph.
  • Ask for help to prioritize the tasks so you know where to focus your time. As a joint effort, the managers involved can alter the scope of some work or delegate tasks to others on the team.

Now that you have direction and support, you can get back to the right work. 

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