I'm Working Too Hard
I had a dream about work last night. I dreamt that I went to work in my pj's, which were flannel pajama bottoms and a long-sleeved tee. I had a meeting with the president and one of the VP's, and I was running around the office. Not walking around quickly, but literally sprinting. Clearly whatever I was doing was very important. So important that I overslept and was late to work.
I've been overwhelmed at work the past couple weeks. I have one client I work on 90-95% of the time. They have multiple projects, timetables, and deliverables, and I've been dropping the ball lately. I go to meetings, take notes, write down what I need to do, and then go back to my desk and start working on something completely different. The notes don't make it to a to-do list on my whiteboard, so they don't get done. Then of course the client calls periodically throughout the day and sends emails that need responded to. Some days I just put the phone on Forward Mail when I see they're calling. I listen to the VM while I'm doing other stuff and send them an email reply. I hate feeling like I can't keep up with my work or that I've dropped the ball.
Several years ago, I had a job where I was constantly under pressure. I'd drive 45-60 minutes into work, thinking about how much it sucked. Then I'd work 8-9 hours thinking about how much it sucked. Then I'd make the drive home, thinking about how much it sucked. To get from one highway to another, I had to go around a major curve, and when it snowed, I'd sometimes wish that I could get into an accident so I wouldn't have to go to work for a few days. That's when I knew I had to get a new job. I'm not at that point yet, but I do feel like I'm barely staying afloat. A couple more months of this and I'll reach a breaking point. Breaking point #1 - dreaming of work at home. Already reached it. Perhaps I'll figure out how to clone myself and pass the work off to my "other self". Until then, I'll try to find a life preserver.
I've been overwhelmed at work the past couple weeks. I have one client I work on 90-95% of the time. They have multiple projects, timetables, and deliverables, and I've been dropping the ball lately. I go to meetings, take notes, write down what I need to do, and then go back to my desk and start working on something completely different. The notes don't make it to a to-do list on my whiteboard, so they don't get done. Then of course the client calls periodically throughout the day and sends emails that need responded to. Some days I just put the phone on Forward Mail when I see they're calling. I listen to the VM while I'm doing other stuff and send them an email reply. I hate feeling like I can't keep up with my work or that I've dropped the ball.
Several years ago, I had a job where I was constantly under pressure. I'd drive 45-60 minutes into work, thinking about how much it sucked. Then I'd work 8-9 hours thinking about how much it sucked. Then I'd make the drive home, thinking about how much it sucked. To get from one highway to another, I had to go around a major curve, and when it snowed, I'd sometimes wish that I could get into an accident so I wouldn't have to go to work for a few days. That's when I knew I had to get a new job. I'm not at that point yet, but I do feel like I'm barely staying afloat. A couple more months of this and I'll reach a breaking point. Breaking point #1 - dreaming of work at home. Already reached it. Perhaps I'll figure out how to clone myself and pass the work off to my "other self". Until then, I'll try to find a life preserver.