Like many types of occupations, sports careers are not immune to down-sizing in tough economic times.
Obviously, employees who are let go face the most significant challenges. But the workers who retain their positions typically face increased workloads. Also, sports careers often feature particularly busy times of year, perhaps as a new season is starting.
Just as continuing to invest during down times can pay off when a market finally swings, employees can make strides by effectively handling the challenges in these busy times.
Time Management
Instead of just thinking about your time use during a given day day, take a week to document the time you are spending on individual tasks.
Have a chart ready and list the time you spend each hour of a given day. In making this commitment, you will have a better idea about how you truly are spending your time each day. You should include every task, from specific work assignments to things like reading e-mail.
At week’s end, you may be surprised at the level of commitment you’re devoting to some tasks or disappointed at the amount of time you’re committing to more-important assignments.
With this information in hand, you should be able to draw up a more effective schedule—cutting out time-wasting and reducing time devoted to less-important items. Hopefully the new schedule will allow you to be more productive while leaving work on time.
Perhaps this effort will help you determine scheduling ideas that could increase productivity. Perhaps your superiors would be open to a new schedule that will allow more productivity.During the tough economic times that started in 2008, some government agencies were surprised to see worker productivity increase when they changed their schedules from five eight-hour days to four ten-hour days. Perhaps a similar type change could be possible at your company and lead to increased productivity.
When you’re working on a task, shut out distractions as much as possible. Obviously, if you are required to take phone calls, you have to take those calls. But perhaps you can complete all of your outgoing calls during one session. Another idea is turning down the sound of your e-mail alert. While answering e-mail is usually part of one’s job, it typically all can be done at one time when you complete a task.
In making your schedule, be sure to set aside time for creative thought. While completing daily work is important, this time will help you excel in your job and often times will increase productivity. These are times when you can research new ideas and plan ahead. If you have a great idea to start with, your enthusiasm to complete the tasks necessary for its completion will increase.
Mental Preparation
Facing an increased workload can create stress and deliver body blows to one’s enthusiasm. A survey by Watson Wyatt and WorldatWork completed during a recession, when many companies had cut back their staffs, revealed declining morale in the workplace.
Not to minimalize the challenges faced, but if you’re working in a sports career and you enjoy the company you’re working—considering the tough times the company faces—I think displaying a willingness to work through the tough times should help advance your career down the line. Keeping this in mind will help with motivation.
Allotting your time effectively will help reduce stress, but there are other things you can do to help your mental well-being. Prioritize the tasks you need to complete first and focus on those tasks. Don’t let concern about additional tasks slow you from completing tasks you have prioritized.
As you complete a job, or reach a logical stopping point in completing part of a task, take some time to walk around. Taking short breaks actually will help productivity because long hours at a desk tend to wear a person down.
At the end of the day, take some time to clean your desk and organize your work space. This will help you get off to a good start the following day and will help you start the day with a good feeling.
If you’re new to a position, keep in mind that your productivity will increase as you gain experience. Tasks that take a lot of time when you first start a job, generally will become easier. Be sure to talk with people familiar with your job to gather ideas to efficiently complete these tasks.
Other Options
If the workload is beginning to become overwhelming, make sure you’re not spending your time on tasks that could be delegated to other employees. Perhaps a team approach would help on other tasks.
Sometimes the workload may become particularly burdensome at a certain time of the year. This is especially common in sports careers. The workload may increase for a stretch of time as a new season approaches. By focusing on some of the ideas listed above, and bringing energy to work during this time, you should be able to excel until times return to normal.
Perhaps a person who previously has held your position could offer some useful advice for succeeding during these tough stretches.
If you’re convinced you are putting forward your best effort and achieving top productivity but still find the workload overwhelming, you may have to talk to your superiors about getting some help. Make sure to document the efforts you have been putting forth as this could be a difficult conversation.
Of course a final option is a position change within the company or a change to a new company. Of course this type of decision should come after a lot of thought, but if a position has become overwhelming to the point that you’re no longer able to put forward a top effort and achieve your goals, you may have to find a position that allows you to be at your best.