When Work Takes Over
b>When Work Takes Over
Bruce Taylor
The other day I was talking with a young woman whom I respect and admire. She's a project leader in a software company and a mother of two children, and she's incredibly dedicated to both roles. She was telling me how hard it is to balance the two, because she has just been asked to rescue a project that is in deep trouble on top of her other commitments. Our conversation went something like this:
"Why did they give you all this extra work when they know you're already full up?"
"I guess there was no one else to do it, and it really is important."
"I know, but why did you accept it - you could have said 'no.'"
"No I couldn't - who else would do it if I didn't?"
"Well, that's a good question. Suppose that you got sick for a month. Do you really think that the organization couldn't find some way to get the work done?"
"Well sure, but there's no one else as qualified as I am."
"I know that, but it would get done, right?"
"I guess so, but it wouldn't be done as well."
"But you could have said 'no' to the extra work without the world falling apart - so why did you say 'yes?'"
That final question was left hanging in the air and never did get answered. She is working on both assignments and coping pretty well, all things considered. But the whole exchange left me wondering how much we can blame our work overloads on our bosses, and how much responsibility we have to accept ourselves. The next time you take on an extra assignment, ask yourself, "Is this really for the greater good, or is it just my ego talking?"
About the author: Bruce Taylor is the owner and principal of Unison Coaching, and helps people deal with difficult tasks and decisions in their lives. Bruce specializes in helping workers cope with difficult workplaces and stressful jobs. He can be reached at bruce_taylor@unisoncoaching.com.