4 Powerful Tips To Get Back on Track When You’ve Overcommitted
Taking delays is better than saying “yes.”
Ever gone to an interview and caught a hail-mary situation?
“So, what is your weakness?”
You gaze up and down for answers like your eyes are tired and might fall if you don’t carry them. Ha-Ha
You’re confused, too, because the employer should be asking you a skill-related question, but here you are, caught with a silly one. As a successful candidate, you can’t risk lying.
With due respect, you replied:
“I haven’t thought that much, but I can cope with any situation.”
Sounds approving.
Let me break it to you: We all have a weakness, and that’s overworking. Some employers might regard you for your dedication, but overworking is not sheer dedication.
International Labour Organization claims:
“Americans work 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more hours per year than British workers, and 299 more than French workers.”
Hence it leaves people overworking. And my friend, that is your weakness. But how do you cope with it?
Below are 4 ways to curb overcommitment and get back on track.
1. Whiplash of delegation
Overworking is a phenomenon that generally applies to everyone.
Get ready to face a hard time if you belong to the following categories:
- Freelancer
- Businessman
- Self-employed
- Employer
Reading a 4-hour-work-week, I’ve realized the importance of delegation. Timothy Ferris says:
“If you spend your time, worth $20–25 per hour, doing something that someone else will do for $10 per hour, it’s simply a poor use of resources.”
Sure, the above scenario can also make us a benefit of 10–15$. But notice a pattern here: finding the best person to do the job for you.
You must all agree that we’re not experts in everything. We will never be. Delegating to someone who knows work better than you can save time to make good decisions.
If these statements are taking a flight above your head, below are a few examples:
- Hire a chef
- Ask a website designer to make a website
- A travel advisor to book hotels and accommodations
In my view, the first one is always the best. Employers, employees, freelancers, and everyone can use this technique.
You see, we cannot be everything. And it’s okay.
Delegating your tasks to someone who does it daily simply means that you get all the excellent work on your plate.
Otherwise, doing it yourself means satisfactory work in every goal. So, delegate and win.
2. Needle from a haystack
The typical mathematical principle says that:
“80% of your total work is generated through 20% of your clients.”
Vilfredo Pareto formulated the Pareto principle in 1896. The 80/20 rule helps with quality control, decision-making, productivity, and problem-solving.
Did I say problem-solving? Yes, I did.
Here’s how it works:
- Step 1: If you have 8 tasks to complete today, jog your mind to see which tasks/clients bring you the most money.
- Step 2: Pull at least half of the clients (8÷ 4=4) and note them down on paper.
- Step 3: Now, spread the tasks according to the importance level. The one that makes you more money should be your number 1 property.
- Step 4: Match your priorities with the deadline. Mix and match with the time slots to meet the deadlines.
The Pareto principle has helped many entrepreneurs deal with their tasks. Both Brian Tracy and Timothy Ferris deeply use the 80/20 principle for their goals.
It’s like pulling out a needle from a haystack of your tasks. Further, you can always delegate/skip tasks that don’t generate much income.
3. The emotional melodrama
Most employees will make you believe:
[ABC] is once in a lifetime opportunity.
Of course, everything is. Every experience in life is first a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Lol.
This emotional tactic is used by a lot of people to trick employees into working out of favor. So, how to escape this?
Answer: Hm… I’ll think about it.
If it sounds too scary, here are some phrases you can use, suggested by Gonaturalenglish.com
- “Sadly, I have something else going on”
- “I have another commitment”
- “Thanks for thinking of me…”
- “I’m honored you asked me. I simply can’t”
We don’t realize but having fancy ways of saying no is like mastering the art of pick-up lines.
Saying no has “no” downside. You may assume you’ll be missed when you’re trading one experience for another. Put your main effort into the tasks which make you money.
Everything else is a simple extracurricular activity. If you’re unsure, say “maybe.” Simple.
And if you like, you can show up later on!
4. Puppy dog close
Moving forward, A sales technique by Timothy Ferris struck my mind. It’s called Puppy Dog Close.
In simple words:
“If someone likes a puppy but is hesitant to make the purchase, ask them to take the puppy home and bring it back if they change their mind.”
In most cases, it works. Do you know why? Because once a purchase is made, returning to a physical shop just shows you’re:
- Maniac or have decision-making issues
- You’re scared
- You don’t keep your word
The online store flourishes because the delivery guy (the middle man) dispatches the delivery. As far as more people are concerned, the matter is dissolved. But not in (physical) shops.
It’s a seldom pet store approach, which translates to “let’s just try it once.” To say no, time advice to use words like
- Just time one, please
- I promise I’ll do, X
Here’s how to propose:
Request+ the downside + solution= better way of saying no.Here is a complimentary puppy dog close template. It’s a similar version of what Timothy Ferris penned in the book:
“I’d like to complete the task you CC’d me with Jonas, but I have so much on my plate. Can I sit out just for this one? Otherwise, I won’t be able to complete the quarterly sales report. I promise I’ll catch up with the next CC’d task with Jonas. Is that okay?”
Remember that your message should be a mixture of the request, “This will happen” outcome, and a solution to how you will make things right.
Your boss will fall for it.
Final thoughts:
Grab a calendar, and mark your days with tasks. The leftover is your pocket times.
Sticking to a calendar routine helps identify pocket slots where you can run small errands. Also, becoming mindful of your tasks saves you from instant overcommitment.
If someone is pushing you harder, say: “Okay, send me an email with instructions, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Remember: taking delays is better than saying “yes.”
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