6 Signs You Have Taken On Too Much

There is an old saying that if you want to get something done then give it to a busy person to do. Busy people are always doing something but when do you know that the stage has been reached where you have taken on too much. This is important to know because it can harm your health in many ways, as well as affect the quality of your work.

Many people like being busy because the time goes faster, some like achieving, others enjoy helping, whatever the reason being motivated to achieve is a good attribute to have. It is true that if you want something done then you are better off giving it to a busy person than a lazy person. Why? Because busy people prioritise. Everything they take on will get done but they do the most important tasks first. Lazy people, well, they are more likely to put it aside with the intention to get around to it at a later date. The trouble is that the ‘later date’ never comes around and it finishes up not getting done at all. At least they will not have the worry about stress associated with taking on too much and have it affect their health.

The problem many busy people have however is that they can’t seem to say ‘no.’  The little word ‘no’ is one that could save many people from becoming ‘burnt out’ too early, as avoiding taking on more than you can handle will always be reliant on you being able to say ‘no’ at some point; not to avoid work overload alone, but something that is important for health reasons as well.  It is obvious that when the stage is reached that you simply can’t carry out all the tasks you have taken on in the time allotted, you have taken on too much, but it is usually your health that will suffer before that time is reached.

Health signs that you have taken on too much can show up in many ways. It could be anxiety, fidgeting, worry, short temper, and finally fully blown stress symptoms. It is important that you recognise any such signs and cut back on your workload immediately because other than your health suffering as a result of taking on too much, the quality of your work will also suffer and you could finish up in the position where you could actually lose your job as a result.

The signs to look out for if you feel you, or someone you know, is taking on too much, include the following:

1. Taking minor setbacks too seriously. Nothing ever goes smoothly all the time. There will always be setbacks but when you find you are reacting to minor setbacks out of proportion to their real importance you run the risk of turning the minor set back into a major one. The best way to avoid such over-reaction is to always live the moment, only do what you know will work, have fun while doing it and don’t take yourself too seriously.
2. Comparing current success with previous success. If you find yourself comparing achievements you will drive yourself mad. What might have been hard to achieve this time around but easy last time does not mean you are losing your grip. Circumstances change and it is important to take everything in your stride as you go along. Learn from your previous successes by all means but don’t dwell on the differences.
3. You’ve stopped having fun. When your workload becomes just that, a workload, it is time to reassess things. You are more likely to succeed if you are having fun. If it stops being fun walk away for a while, or knock it back. If you have no choice try to approach it in such a way that it is enjoyable.
4. Finding you are doing things you know won’t work. Although this might sound silly, but when under pressure, and you have taken on more that you can handle, you will tend to take short cuts. Even when you know it won’t work. You do this because it will be off your hands, even if only for a short while. You are desperate for breathing space. When this happens you lose sight of the present and disregard what will be the outcome. Truly a dangerous thought process if you want to keep your job as you are only implementing a bandaid solution which will turn into a sticky mess.
5. Forgetting the fundamentals. The most important thing to keep in mind at all times is to stick to the fundamentals with everything you take on. Never abandon the fundamentals once you have got them right. If you find you are abandoning the fundamentals purely for convenience, put a stop to it immediately. Forgetting the basics of what you do, how you do it and how you do it well is the same as building a house of cards. At some stage it is certain to collapse.
6. Forgetting to live for the present. Although you must always keep an eye on your goals don’t forget you are actually living in the present and your dealings at this time must always reflect that important point. If you start living the dream it will remain a dream. Dreams have to be achieved and the way to make this happen is to live one day at a time. Do this and your health will remain sound as will your ability to say ‘no’ when you feel there is not enough time in the present to take on anything else.

Kristy Ramirez is a freelance health and personal finance writer for Life Insurance Finder where she helps people to compare Life Insurance Finder and select the best policy to meet their needs.