2chatter, Use Getting Things Done methodology. It will make it feel like you can breath. You'll have to dedicate a bit of time to triage and organize, but then you'll feel like you can crank out whatever comes your way.
twinmomma the two minute task reminder is super relevant. A dozen ten minute tasks eat up my time that I am not on calls. Being down a resource means I can’t delegate more than I am. So I am making a full notated project list and hopefully offloading some of this.
I just figured out that it’s the tiny non-projects that are killing me. I usually have a person that spends half their time doing that. Now, I am doing it. And I am slower at it because I am constantly interrupted by big projects.
What do I do with a list that’s literally enough to keep 3 people busy through June??? It’s been years since this was this bad.
2chatter, For me, it's all about setting boundaries with people, especially my supervisors. "Yes, I can do ABC task for you. But it will push back XYZ task, because I only have so many hours in a day. What is the bigger priority?"
Can you show the list to your boss and have them walk you through the priorities, given you're down a resource and he wants you to delegate?
justcheckingin73 After the VA experience with my late father, I would tell anyone to run from the VA health system. It was the most incompetent, bureaucratic, inefficient set up I have ever seen. Ds has been intrigued by the military thanks to his uncles, but I have actively discouraged it. It is criminal how that system treats vets who put their life on the line for their country, and I don't want my child anywhere near it.
I totally agree. My dad is retired military but is also a retired police officer so he has more options. I feel the same way about our veterans. They deserve better. My FIL has 2 purple hearts from Vietnam. It just breaks my heart.
justcheckingin73 , She just IM'd me and sent her flight info, as if she wants me to take the same flight as her. I fly out of our regional airport and would connect at the airport she's flying out of. So I gave her the excuse that I might not be able to get the flight connections to work. I think she thinks she knows more than she does. I trained her, but she had no interest in learning and didn't pick much up from me.
Ugh. That sounds fun. Hoping you are as far away from her as you can be.
rere, if he is interested the military you can encourage the reserves or national guard. They have excellent healthcare.
Active Duty tricare is a huge pain and specialist are rare plus its a huge process to get to see a good specialist. (that is not even touching the VA side) Guard and Reserves have their own tricare and it is amazing. You can see who ever you want whenever you want. In network is covered at 90% and out is 80% but once you hit your OOP max you are good to go. Also, very affordable.
Post by erinshelley21 on Feb 23, 2018 9:37:55 GMT -5
2chatter, do you have a project that is close to being completed? Maybe try the Dave Ramsey approach to debt with your projects.. get the one closest to the finish line done, then that creates more time for the next.
twinmomma - I wish! The culture is “do it all” here. Up until a couple years ago I worked 70 hours most weeks. They redistributed my work (now 5 people do my job, plus three additional directs, so 8 people). But when it comes to times like this there really isn’t an alternative. I have already put 14 projects on hold pending resources. Which is crazy. I think I just need to whine at this point. It doesn’t help that I cleared my Friday but now need to take DD to the neuro. So I will be here until 7 tonight. At least DH can bake pizza and hang out with the kids.....
2chatter, I totally get it. That's how my last job was, which is part of why I quit. I was in charge of allocating resources, but the resources didn't exist, so I was set up for failure constantly. I feel your pain! I hope you get some kind of additional support soon.
2chatter , do you have a project that is close to being completed? Maybe try the Dave Ramsey approach to debt with your projects.. get the one closest to the finish line done, then that creates more time for the next.
This is kind of brilliant. I've never thought about handling projects like this!
Post by mustardseed2007 on Feb 23, 2018 10:45:57 GMT -5
Another update: DS really enjoyed his school visit. While he was telling me about it over ice cream, they called and told me he was accepted. Technically we can still think about it, but it looks like this is really happening. I'm excited
I have to work based on priority unfortunately - because it’s not possible to finish everything on time at this point. So doing the small things would get them done but then the important things would miss dates. Not being able to delegate the small things is what is mostly killing me. Plus things like audits causing fire drills.....uugghhh I need a functional resource on board yesterday but realistically it’s 4 months out.
Post by supertrooper1 on Feb 23, 2018 12:22:41 GMT -5
I just booked my flight for my work trip at the end of March. I couldn't avoid my annoying coworker, but at least she sent me her seat info so I picked my seat at the other end of the plane. And my return flight is different.
Post by freezorburn on Feb 24, 2018 15:05:40 GMT -5
Big milestone for me this week -- this was the first week since 2009 that I worked a full 5 days, 40 hours (just filling in for my boss this week). I'm exhausted, and I feel good about it. I also got almost nothing knocked off my my "while DS is away" list. But I've got today to make a dent in it.
Next week I'll be glad to be back to my PT schedule.
In other news, I have a somewhat delicate situation evolving at work. I'm sure it will get sorted out somehow, but I need to talk to a few co-workers to figure out how to handle it best. One of my co-workers is a special needs adult. I don't know his story because I'm not nosy like that, but he has a tendency to be affectionate with many of our co-workers. I feel like he has become overly focused on me recently and I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I don't want him to hug me or rub my shoulders or my back or reach out to grab me as I'm walking by. And he does all these things without my permission. It feels invasive and it makes me feel anxious. I know he doesn't mean anything by it. I don't want to hurt his feelings or get him into any trouble, because I'm sure he needs his job more than I need mine. But I want to be able to be comfortable at work and not be looking over my shoulder. The other day I told him flat out to please not hug me and he said okay, but then he tried again yesterday. So I've been sorting out my feelings about this the last few days and I think it's time for me to talk to someone else at work for some advice and guidance. I've several ideas for who to talk to, and I'm sure it will all be okay in the end, it's just no fun being in the middle of this right now.
@freezerburn I had a similar situation when I was a waitress in college. The dishwasher was mentally disabled. A grown man with all of the hormones and desires but the mind and self control of a child. And a big guy who could get very scary when angry. He would get “crushes” on the women that worked with him and he would touch too much. I was afraid to be alone with him sometimes. But I didn’t want to get him in trouble or upset him. He really looked up to a couple of the other guys who worked there and they really looked out for him. So in the end, it was handled by those guys having “man to mans” with him about not being too “chummy” with ANY of the women. They presented it very generally to him rather than pointing out his specific behavior and made sure to remind him about it. Hopefully there is this “big brother” figure around for your coworker who can maybe influence his behavior without making him feel like he is in trouble or someone specific is accusing him of it.
It's very helpful to hear your story. There are a few people who might be helpful like you describe. He has been at the store for about 10 years, and there are others who have been there longer. They might know if there have been problems before and how it was handled.