Dealing with Increasing Workload

Tip 1 - Start having lunch on your desk

Don't go out for lunch if you have to deal with a lot of work. Having lunch on your desk will take 10 minutes at the most and you will be saving the time spent in going to a place and ordering food.

Tip 2 - If necessary, cut down on breaks and manage your time

If workload is increasing and there is no way around it, you should consider cutting down on extra breaks and managing your time better. Be punctual, spend less time chatting and more time working.

Tip 3 - Move to a quieter work station with less distractions

A lot of time you can't work as much because of distractions. Someone might be talking, someone else might be moving around, and you can't focus on your work. If you have a lot to do, it is better if you move to a quieter work station where you can solely focus on the work at hand.

Tip 4 - If you must, then find some time on the weekend

If you must, if it is absolutely necessary that you deal with the extra work, you can take some time out for it on the weekend. Ideally you can spend some time on it late on Friday night so that you don't have to worry about it on Saturday or Sunday.

Tip 5 - Talk to your manager if things are out of your control

Instead of dragging it along and reducing your own long-term productivity, you should talk to your manager about the increasing workload. Ask him/her to prioritize your tasks and understand that you can do tasks A and B but not C. Most managers will get this and will either delegate the work or take up the matter with his/her superiors.

Tip 6 - Categorize starting from highest priority to the least most important.

When I have many tasks to complete, I find completing the most important helps me get closer to the end. For example, if there are overdue reports then it is wisely to begin with these tasks and then work your way to the others.