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Ask Flex / Overwhelmed, doing the job of three

Ask Flex

So over­whelmed at work you want to cry?

"I'm so overwhelmed at work I want to cry."You asked Google. Flex answered.
Flex the robot at his desk under a teal umbrella while sticky notes rain down, one finished page in the dry spot in front of him, and little Clawd riding a sticky note down like a parachute
Flex's short answer

Step away for five minutes first, to the hallway, the car, or outside, because it's hard to think clearly when you're that upset. Then get the pile out of your head and onto a list, and pick one small thing to finish.

✱ Flex's tips

Five minutes, then one thing.

1

Step away

Five minutes. Water. Outside if you can.

2

Dump it on paper

Everything that's on your mind.

3

Do the smallest one

Finishing one thing helps you feel back in control.

4

Tell someone

A coworker, a friend, or your boss, list in hand.

Try this in your own Claude or ChatGPT

I'm really overwhelmed at work right now. Here's everything on my mind: [dump it all, messy is fine, but leave out names and private details]. Be kind. Sort it into must do today and can wait, and tell me the one smallest thing to start with.

Before you paste work stuff into any AI, check what your company allows.
Free tool

The Three Piles

Type everything on your plate, tap each one into a pile, and walk out with a list your boss can read.

Sort my plate
Flex the robot at his desk under a teal umbrella while sticky notes rain down, one finished page in the dry spot in front of him, and little Clawd riding a sticky note down like a parachute
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✱ What people ask
What if I'm overwhelmed at work and crying?

It happens to a lot of people, usually on the day the pile wins. Take the five minutes, then make the list.

What do I do when I'm overwhelmed and shutting down at work?

Shrink the day to one task. If it keeps happening and rest doesn't help, it's worth talking to a doctor.

Where do I get help when I'm overwhelmed at work?

Start with your boss and a list of what's on your plate. Flex has a page on it.

✱ More from this pile: Overwhelmed, doing the job of three
What do you do when you're over­whelmed at work?How do you manage a heavy workload?Doing the work of 3 people?Over­whelmed at work and want to quit?Does everyone feel over­whelmed at work?Are you doing too much at work?What are the signs you are indispensable at work?How do you get through an extremely busy time at work?Over­whelmed at a new job?How can you be productive at work? The Three Piles
From Nikki's blogFlex tells you how. Nikki tells you what it felt like. Read it on Clawd and Me. Read it →

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