Learn some tips and strategies to cope with your workload as a power engineer. Find out how to plan, delegate, communicate, use technology, and take care of yourself.

Day has 24 hours, which need to be used wisely. It is this finite time within which various things need to be fitted into. I slice my day into work time, sleep time, meal time, family time, me time etc. It then makes it easier to know how much can fit into work time. If there is anything more that needs to be done, then either acquire skills to do things faster or use time from other slices. Size of time slices change with career progression. Initially, I worked a lot more as an Individual Contributor. As I progressed, I had team to delegate work to. That helped to manage time slices better. It is like managing an office bag. It keeps getting full. Trick lies in removing unwanted stuff from the bag and not in buying a bigger bag.

You're struggling to keep up with your workload. How can you get everything done on time?

As a power engineer, you have to deal with complex and demanding tasks every day. You have to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot various equipment and systems that generate and distribute electricity. You also have to comply with safety and environmental regulations, as well as meet the expectations of your boss and customers. Sometimes, you may feel overwhelmed by your workload and wonder how you can get everything done on time. In this article, we will share some tips and strategies that can help you manage your time, prioritize your tasks, communicate effectively, and cope with stress.

1 Plan your day

One of the first things you should do every morning is to plan your day. Look at your calendar, check your emails, and review your to-do list. Identify the most important and urgent tasks that you have to complete, and estimate how much time you need for each one. Then, schedule them in your day, leaving some buffer time for unexpected issues or emergencies. Try to avoid multitasking, as it can reduce your focus and efficiency. Instead, focus on one task at a time and finish it before moving on to the next one.

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Grace Stoner

Global Account Manager 🌍 Helping companies expand their business globally, by helping to employ talent 100% compliantly and legally on an international scale. (Employer of Record, PEO, Global expansion solutions)
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I find the best way to manage your time is to make a list first thing every morning with the things that you need to complete, then put them in order based on priority/deadlines. Work out how long you think it should take you to complete each task and plan your day based on this, make sure to leave room between tasks incase anything unexpected come up. It's important to start one task and follow it through to completion, trying to juggle multiple tasks at once can result in you working less efficiently and producing work that is not of high quality.

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2 Delegate or outsource

Sometimes, you may have more tasks than you can handle by yourself. In that case, you should consider delegating or outsourcing some of them to other people who have the skills and availability to help you. For example, you may delegate some routine or administrative tasks to your assistant or a junior engineer. Or, you may outsource some specialized or technical tasks to a contractor or a vendor. However, before you delegate or outsource, make sure you have clear expectations and instructions, and that you follow up and monitor the progress and quality of the work.

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3 Communicate with your boss

Another key factor that can affect your workload is your communication with your boss. You should keep your boss informed of your status, achievements, challenges, and needs. If you have too many tasks or conflicting priorities, you should communicate with your boss and negotiate your deadlines, scope, or resources. You should also ask for feedback and guidance on how to improve your performance and meet your goals. By communicating with your boss, you can build trust and rapport, as well as avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

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4 Use technology wisely

Technology can be a great ally or a great enemy for your productivity. On one hand, technology can help you automate, streamline, and optimize your tasks. For example, you can use software tools to manage your projects, documents, and data. Or, you can use remote control devices to monitor and operate your equipment and systems. On the other hand, technology can also distract you, interrupt you, and overwhelm you. For example, you may waste time on social media, emails, or phone calls. Or, you may have to deal with technical glitches, errors, or failures. Therefore, you should use technology wisely and selectively, and make sure it serves your purpose and not the other way around.

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5 Take care of yourself

Finally, you should not neglect your physical and mental health while trying to cope with your workload. You should take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and relaxing. You should also seek support from your family, friends, colleagues, or professionals if you feel stressed, anxious, or burned out. By taking care of yourself, you can boost your energy, mood, and resilience, and improve your performance and quality of life.

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Grace Stoner

Global Account Manager 🌍 Helping companies expand their business globally, by helping to employ talent 100% compliantly and legally on an international scale. (Employer of Record, PEO, Global expansion solutions)
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It is easy to become overwhelmed when faced with an increased level of workload. It is just as important in these situations to take care of yourself as it is getting the job done. Make sure you are taking time out for yourself, taking a break from the task at hand to go for a walk or to do something else can give you a fresh mindset for when you return to that task. If you are really struggling to complete all the work assigned, there is no shame reaching out to your manager/colleague to ask for help, Afterall you are all working towards the same goal.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ravindra Patwardhan, CCXP

Experienced Services Professional | Business Coach
(edited)
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Day has 24 hours, which need to be used wisely. It is this finite time within which various things need to be fitted into. I slice my day into work time, sleep time, meal time, family time, me time etc. It then makes it easier to know how much can fit into work time. If there is anything more that needs to be done, then either acquire skills to do things faster or use time from other slices. Size of time slices change with career progression. Initially, I worked a lot more as an Individual Contributor. As I progressed, I had team to delegate work to. That helped to manage time slices better. It is like managing an office bag. It keeps getting full. Trick lies in removing unwanted stuff from the bag and not in buying a bigger bag.

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You're struggling to keep up with your workload. How can you get everything done on time?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Plan your day

2 Delegate or outsource

3 Communicate with your boss

4 Use technology wisely

5 Take care of yourself

6 Here’s what else to consider

Power Engineering

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You're struggling to keep up with your workload. How can you get everything done on time?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Plan your day

2 Delegate or outsource

3 Communicate with your boss

4 Use technology wisely

5 Take care of yourself

6 Here’s what else to consider

Power Engineering

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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