Dear Dr. Mimi – Overwhelmed

, , , , , , , ,

Dear Dr. Mimi:
I have been struggling to be able to advocate for myself at work. Recently, I feel like I have overcommitted myself to projects and have too many things on my plate. I am newer to the company and do not want to look bad if I speak up and ask for deadline extensions, but I feel way too overwhelmed to complete these tasks in time. What should I do?
—Overwhelmed


Dear Overwhelmed:
It’s important to remember that advocating for yourself at work is an essential skill, and it’s OK to ask for help or extensions when needed. Begin by prioritizing your tasks and communicating with your supervisor or team about the workload. Be honest and transparent about your capacity and timeline and suggest potential solutions or alternatives. Remember that asking for help or clarification is not a sign of weakness, but rather a proactive approach to ensure your work is completed effectively and efficiently.
—Dr. Mimi

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Backup

    Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss favors another employee and schedules them for more shifts. We are on the same skill level and have had the same training, but I am being treated like a “backup” for them. I am afraid to bring this up to my manager for fear that they will reprimand or even fire…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi – Overworked Student

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I am a working college student, and my company is supposed to be accommodating to students’ schedules. However, my boss keeps asking me to come into work at times she knows that I have classes or study groups. I have tried to make this issue known to her, but she keeps dismissing me.…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi — Frustrated

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them?—Frustrated Dear Frustrated,It can be tricky working with new employees. If you think they are…