233| Are You Feeling Overwhelmed at Work?

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Introduction: In this episode of the Future Female Leaders Podcast, host Nichole Harrop discusses the common experience of feeling overwhelmed at work after a holiday weekend. She reassures listeners that this is a normal occurrence and provides practical tips for managing overwhelm and prioritizing tasks effectively. Nichole introduces a simple exercise called the "Red Light Green Light" technique, which helps categorize and visualize work-related tasks based on enjoyment and energy levels.

Episode Highlights:

1. The State of Overwhelm: Nichole acknowledges the feeling of overwhelm that often arises when returning to work after a long holiday weekend. She emphasizes that it is a shared experience among many individuals and addresses the inaction that can accompany overwhelm.

2. The Red Light Green Light Exercise: Nichole introduces the Red Light Green Light exercise as a tool to navigate overwhelming tasks. She instructs listeners to envision three columns: Green Light (tasks they enjoy), Red Light (draining tasks), and Yellow Light (challenging tasks).

3. Green Light Column: Listeners are encouraged to identify tasks they genuinely love doing and consider how they can incorporate more of these activities into their work. Nichole advises communicating these preferences to direct leaders to foster a more fulfilling work experience.

4. Red Light Column: The focus shifts to tasks that drain energy and create feelings of dread or procrastination. Nichole prompts listeners to evaluate whether they have communicated their aversion to these tasks with their leaders, emphasizing the importance of sharing honest feedback while still committing to completing them effectively.

5. Yellow Light Column: Nichole introduces the concept of yellow light tasks—tasks that don't bring immediate joy but involve curiosity, challenges, and the need for clarification. She highlights the significance of seeking clarity and direction from leaders to ensure successful execution.

6. Effective Communication: Nichole emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and effective communication with leaders. She encourages listeners to discuss task preferences, seek clarity, and align expectations to enhance job satisfaction and reduce overwhelm.

7. Delegation and Support: Nichole suggests considering delegation as a solution for tasks that others might enjoy more, allowing individuals to focus on their strengths and find more fulfillment in their work. She emphasizes the need to communicate the desire for support and collaboration rather than avoiding tasks altogether.

8. Journaling Resource: Nichole recommends her career journal available on Amazon, designed to help individuals advance their careers. The journal contains over a hundred unique prompts for ongoing self-reflection and personal growth.

Conclusion: Nichole wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to try the Red Light Green Light exercise and engage in open conversations with their leaders about task preferences and challenges. By prioritizing tasks and aligning expectations, individuals can reduce overwhelm, improve job satisfaction, and create a more fulfilling work experience.

Outro: Don't forget to check out Nichole's career journal available on Amazon—a valuable resource for tracking career progress and personal growth. Stay tuned for the next episode of the Future Female Leaders Podcast. Until then, keep thriving in your career journey. See you next time!