Things I Wish I Did as an Overwhelmed New Manager

Have you ever noticed the conversation around new managers often focuses on essential leadership skills and how to handle difficult conversations?

I mean, don’t get me wrong…these topics need to be discussed, they are both important topics and very relevant to new managers and leadership.

But the overwhelm that comes with being a new manager is often glossed over.

I have found the overwhelm new mangers face typically has less to do with the skills they have or don’t have and more to do with managing their time, expectations, and workload.

It’s a big transition. And I remember how it felt when I was just starting out and trying to prove my self as a manager.

What I did that contributed to my overwhelm

Pushed through and ignored all the signs

There are times to push through the challenges and growing pains and then there are times when you ignore your gut. I told myself this is part of “paying my dues” as a new manager and there was an end in sight. Then I told myself this is just part of the culture and everyone was overwhelmed.

Developed bad habits

When you’re a new manager, time management is not something you are typically trained on and it’s also common to say yes to more than you should. Those two are a bad combination.   

Not managing my time and workload effectively and taking on way more than I could chew added to how overwhelmed I was feeling and added to the hours I was working. Part of this came from a lack of confidence to say anything, part came from ignorance, and for me, part of this was also the culture at the time. It was just a very busy place to work. 

Produced work that was not my best

As a result of taking on too much and not managing my time effectively, a lot of my work really didn’t get the attention it deserved and if I’m being honest, could have been better.

Worked crazy long hours just to keep up

Now at this point in my life I was in my early 20s, had no kids, and had a significantly different level of disposable energy and even though I really loved my job and was enjoying it, I was simply working too many hours. I wore it like a badge of honour, but I should not have been working such long days for such a long time. It’s only now looking back that I realized how crazy it was.

Needless to say, none of this was sustainable.

What I should have done to reduce my overwhelm

Recognize how overwhelmed I was and assessed what was a priority and what wasn’t

It wasn’t until years later that I experienced real burnout and recognized all the factors, signs, and habits that led to that point. If you’ve ever experienced burnout, you know how awful it is and you know it doesn’t go after a long weekend. It takes work and it takes making real change, so this is something I am very aware and protective of now.

Prioritize my calendar and made sure I had time blocked off in my calendar for uninterrupted work

This is now a non-negotiable for me. I block off two hours first thing Monday morning and if I need it, about 30 minutes at the end of day on Friday. That may seem like a lot, but I used this time to make sure I set my week up properly. I review my calendar and make sure I’m prepared for any meetings or project due dates. I review my emails and respond to anything outstanding from the weekend or previous week. I review my to-do list and make sure I’m focusing on what’s priority for the week and set myself up for success.

Invested more time to find an organizing system and routines that works for me

I consider myself to be a naturally organized person and I’m one of those types that enjoys organizing and being organized. Having said that, organizing my time and workload does need a different approach. Especially in those early days. And I’ve tried them all; time blocking, The Eisenhower Matrix, the Eat the Frog method, the Pomodoro technique, etc.

The way I organize myself now is probably a combination of a lot of these techniques in a way that works for me. It’s worth the time for you to experiment until you find one that works for you. You will never hear me say “You need to try X method, it’s the best!” but you will hear me encourage you to put the time and effort in to finding what works for you.

Learned how to set boundaries with my time

This was a tough one for me and I’ll be honest, I still need to remind myself to reign it in now and then. And being in management makes it slightly tougher because you never know when and in what capacity your team will need you. When someone wants to speak to me about something or needs my attention for something, I want to be there for them. But as you get to know your team and people in general, you’ll be able to discern a little better when someone needs your attention vs. when someone wants your attention.

Learned when to say yes, when to say no, and when to delegate

Delegation is something I see a lot of managers struggle with at any level, and I was no different as a new manager. This was part trying to prove myself and part ignorance (not knowing what I didn’t know). But delegation is a crucial skill for managers to master. With respect to dealing with overwhelm, delegating is your best friend, otherwise you will be doing it all and you will not have your team’s trust.

Overall, I’m far more mindful now. I’ve paid the price, through a very long stretch of burnout, and I won’t do it again.

Some overwhelm and stress is good (let’s be honest, it’d be weird if you didn’t feel those things as a new manager), but if you’re feeling any of the signs of overwhelm to a degree that you know you can’t sustain or you know is not healthy, speak up.

Pay attention to what’s working and what’s not. Pay attention to your gut and how you are feeling at work, at the end of the day, and at the end of the week.

Remember this, there is always work to be done and someone will always need you for something, so it is essential for you as a new manager to set the tone early in your career.

Learn how to set boundaries, create healthy habits surrounding your work-life balance, and take breaks when you need them.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Time management and reducing stress and overwhelm are something I go into more depth in in my coaching program. When you are ready to talk, click here...I’d love to hear from you!