Taking on new challenges at work can prove your dedication, work ethic, and ability to lead your company toward success; however, these added responsibilities could also become overwhelming. Before you accept a new role within a company, you should reevaluate your work-life balance to ensure it is a good fit. This guide will help you determine when to jump into action and when to stay comfortable where you’re at.
Check Your Schedule
Before ever committing to a major project you should check your schedule. If you’ve just completed a task and are idling between projects this could be the perfect time to accept a new challenge. However, you should make sure you understand everything this new role entails before you fully commit. You should know how long the project will take, what the potential roadblocks will be, and how this new role could affect your current duties. Ask yourself if you are taking on this challenge because you’re passionate about its success or because it’ll get you on your boss’s good side. If you’re just trying to earn brownie points, there are other ways to prove your worth at the office without increasing your workload.
When to Say No
When it comes to annual events, you do not have to accept responsibilities year after year. For example, last year you may have been thrilled to plan the spring bar-b-que, but this year you have a newborn and aren’t getting much sleep. If you know ahead of time that you cannot commit, let your boss know as soon as possible. Standing up for yourself and knowing your limits is not always easy to admit, but it can prevent you from feeling an overwhelming amount of stress in the long run. You should also put your foot down if you feel you are not being adequately compensated for the work you’re already doing. It can be easy for coworkers to assume you will always accept the leadership role, but by taking a step back you can also give someone else the opportunity to direct.
Share Responsibility
If you find you’re taking too much work home, you should address the issue with your boss and see if they are willing to break the project up amongst your colleagues. By splitting a leadership role with a coworker, you will demonstrate your dedication to a project while also cutting the workload in half. Sharing responsibilities can be beneficial when the project goals are clear and the divided tasks are equal. If a coworker volunteers to help you with a project but doesn’t want to invest the effort, tactfully address the issue quickly.
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