Many people say they want to work in a fast-paced environment. Often, job seekers will say it because they think that’s what employers want to hear. But fast-paced can mean a lot of things, and sometimes it’s beyond what you expected once you get started. What happens if work is going too fast for you? Here are some tips to help you excel when you’re on a faster-paced team than you were looking for.
Be a United Front
Sometimes the best solution is the easiest. If you’re finding work to be going at breakneck speed, consider altering course to rely more on your teammates. Unity can help make fast-paced environments easier to manage because everyone is on the same page. If you’re the hare and everyone else is the tortoise, you can get easily burned out. But if tasks are distributed more evenly, everyone is united in the common goal.
Clear Communication
Don’t forget about communication. When things are moving fast, it’s more important than ever to be clear when you communicate. Update everyone around you as often as you can. Fast-paced teams often have constant communication. If you’ve watched any of the kitchen reality shows, especially those starring Gordon Ramsey, you have heard constant communication in a fast-paced environment. You don’t have to get in someone’s face to yell about risotto, but you should share where you are with your projects clearly and often.
Prioritize
Contrary to popular belief, the human brain is not designed to multi-task. We think we can, but when we really try to do more than one task at a time, the quality of all of them suffer. Rather than getting swept up in the myth of multi-tasking, work on improving your ability to prioritize. Know what tasks are most important and get those done first. Then you can focus on the remaining tasks. You can also perfect how to switch gears without losing momentum.
Leverage Technology
In today’s modern world, use every tool available to you. When your work feels like it’s going out of control, rein it in with a little help from technology. There are a lot of project management tools, many of which are free, that can help you stay organized. When work is fast-paced, this can be a lifesaver so you don’t miss any important details or tasks.
Step Away
It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s important that you’re able to take a break even when things are moving fast. Why? Sometimes a break is all you need to give you a different perspective and allow you to rethink a problem to find a solution. If you find yourself frustrated or confused or upset about something, walk away. Go for a walk or meditate for a few minutes. This will help clear your head to come back refreshed.
Do you want to find a job better suited to your work pace? Contact Harvard Resource Solutions to see what we’re working on today.
