How to Slow Down When You’re Working Fast

It’s no secret that the world around us is changing rapidly; new technology is constantly being developed, new products are being rolled out by thousands of companies worldwide, and even the news cycle runs 24-hours a day, seven days each week. Many companies require acceptance of a corporate laptop or cell phone, leaving employees open to emails and work calls long after the five o’clock hour. And those of us who work in colder climates are well-versed in the story of the tragic death of the snow day, which evolving technology and high-speed home internet connections have together driven into the ground. 

The stress of staying up-to-date on all of the latest industry happenings and juggling multiple projects while remaining both upbeat and open to new assignments can take you from “organized” to “scrambled” very quickly. One minute you’re sipping your third cup of coffee, having pushed through two assignments before the office even opens, and all of a sudden you hit send on a client email, only to realize you’ve made a glaring typo. The mistake is there for any passerby to see, and the error can only lower your colleagues’ trust in you. 

The good news is, almost everyone has been there. The pressure to perform at top capacity is ever-present, no matter which field you might work in–especially for those of us in the early stages of a new job or career. Women especially are expected to do more and ask for less in the workplace, which triggers both unrealistic expectations and high rates of burnout. We’re asked to do more than we reasonably can in the space of a work day, and then we’re hard on ourselves when we mess up. 

Here’s a few tips of how to stay calm, cool and collected in the face of having so much to do with so little time:

• Slow down! It may seem simple, but to avoid the errors that come with rushing, you have to slow down and take space. If you find yourself feeling stressed or on a tight deadline with a lot to do, take your hands away from the keyboard, close your eyes and count backwards from 10 in your head. Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it’s only one assignment of very many. There’s a saying in public relations that I like to keep in mind when I need to slow down, “it’s PR, not ER.”   
• Keep Your To-Do List Close: For those of us who identify as “Type A”, there’s usually a long, continuously monitored to-do list involved in work-life maintenance. It’s important to go back and cross off tasks once you’ve completed them – it can make you feel accomplished and ready for what comes next. Not enough time for a day planner? There are now many free task management tools available online, including through your email provider (Outlook, Gmail, etc.)
• Phone (Email) A Friend: Your colleagues are your teammates – ask one of them if they have a few minutes to proofread your work. Chances are, they’re only too happy to help! A fresh set of eyes is always more likely to catch simple mistakes, especially when you’ve been looking at something for what feels like forever. 
• Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: When there’s hardly a moment to breathe, let alone run to the restroom or refill your coffee cup, it’s challenging to resist getting spun up into whatever assignment is taking over your brain space. But it’s important to keep your cool in the workplace, so invest in a stress-relieving gadget to help you get through tough moments. I use a glitter jar and a squeeze-ball from time to time when at my desk. If all else fails, take a quick walk; getting up and metaphorically “shaking it off” can help you reset and quickly get back on task. 

In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” It’s important to take space and a few deep breaths to remain engaged in your work.