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Post by intothepacific on Oct 11, 2018 18:14:12 GMT 9
New here, so if there is another thread this should be in please let me know.
Anyone have advice/suggestions for both: 1) dealing with a constant onslaught of jobs (in my case in the next 2 weeks I've got: one large translation and a few small translations, writing an introduction article and other documents/reports in Japanese, a few medium English editing projects, and prep for a business trip--both studying to make sure I can interpret but also things like making travel schedules and contacting the Japanese travel agency to check airplane seat assignments)
2) possibly talking to my supervisor/the person giving me work about it I've already been through two meetings where office people were asking me to give effectively unlimited hours of work without receiving any compensation/daikyu, which I refused, so our relationship is not the best at the moment.
I tend to spend about an extra half hour in the office each day at the moment, but all these projects have very quick deadlines and the overwhelm is real.
I know this is usually the opposite problem CIRs have, but if anyone has experience or advice it would be much appreciated!
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Oct 12, 2018 0:41:33 GMT 9
I don't know how effective these tips will be since ESID and all, but this is what I've done at this job and previous ones. I'm currently living this situation right now (except with translations), but I don't have your second problem at all.
1- Make a list of all your task and order them by urgency. People will say everything is urgent, but the truth is usually that some things can wait. Your priorities will depend on what you were hired to do exactly.
- Now, I don't know if you've been doing this job long enough for you to be able to evaluate how long each thing takes you, but I'll assume yes. Once you have your list, tell your "clients" when they should expect to get their whatevers back. Always give yourself more time than less: it looks better if you give back things in advance than the other way around. If you can do things within the deadlines they've given you, then you don't have to tell them, obviously.
- Expect to move things up and down your list. If people can't deal with the dates you tell them, ask them to hash it out with whoever gave you the more urgent job and reevaluate according to the results.
- Say no if necessary. This is more effective if you usually say yes and send things back on time.
- Make sure to take short breaks during and between each task because you don't want to burn out. Drink lots of water and tea to go to the washroom if that's what it takes.
2- Just to be sure, was your supervisor the one asking you to work all those hours? And, assuming you are not the PA, has your PA been involved?
I don't really know what to say here since I don't know exactly what went on during your meetings and exactly what your relationship is like. I just hope you can make them understand that overtime without compensation goes against you contract and that your health is in their best interest... and that they shouldn't expect you to be a Japanese worker.
I would do everything I can do in the time imparted to me, but be very clear about my limits. If you can, try not to care so much about respecting every deadline if it's not possible. The more you get requests for stuff, the more you'll be able to discern which ones are fake rushes, too.
As for being overwhelmed, spend time doing nothing too (at home or with hulemdos, not really during work). Again, take breaks however you can, because humans can't really concentrate for so long. When I'm really super busy, I use noise cancelling headphones and listen to music while I work. Also, take care of your health first, with food ans sleep and exercise and all that jazz.
Hope this helps a little bit! Don't be like me, and go to bed early!
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