Ask Flex / Always behind, can't catch up
Overwhelmed at work after vacation?
Don't try to read everything, just sort the pile by who is still waiting and let the rest go. A lot of it already answered itself while you were gone.
Sort it. Don't read it.
Block your first morning
For sorting, not meetings.
Still waiting goes first
Everything else can sit or go.
Read the last message only
Not the whole chain.
Leave a note next time
Who to ask while you're out, and the day you're back.
I just got back from vacation. Here's what is sitting in my unread work email, with names and private details left out: [for each one, a few words on what it asks for and who sent it, like boss, coworker, or customer]. Sort them into still needs me, just so I know, and check first. If you can't tell from what I gave you, put it in check first. Then tell me what to answer first.
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How do I catch up on work after a vacation?
Block your first morning for sorting, not meetings. Answer who's still waiting and let the rest go.
How do I catch up on work after being sick?
Ask one person what changed, then pick three things. Flex has a page on it.
Why am I always behind at work?
Often there's more work than hours. Flex has a page on it.
Want to hand this to Claude?
Start in the Lab with the free 9-to-5 Job Triage: a 15-minute chat that maps what Claude can do in your job. Everything inside is free.