I spend a lot of my time on self-care. When you find yourself working 18 hour days in short bursts to finish projects or cover in times of crisis, you have to focus on yourself…or believe me your body will force you to at some point.
Has your body just ever knocked you flat? Two days later, and you are back working an 18 hour day. Chances are you are the only one to notice.
Your work product can suffer, too. Just because you are struggling to cover the most basic things during times of crisis, the things you let slip are getting stuck in someone’s craw. You may find yourself in crisis mode, but developing a reputation of not “following through” in someone’s eyes.
It is important to communicate to management when you are in crisis mode. Don’t just assume they see the bags under your eyes and the fact you’ve sent emails at 2 a.m. to understand all that is going on. Ask for help. Ask for the patience of management and expect them to rally around you and support you whenever possible. Can they spare some help? Is there work you can offload? Can someone’s schedule be adjusted to cover things you can’t?
If you send up a flare, you should expect to see people come together in response. If you send up a flare and find yourself still sitting alone in a life raft, then perhaps it’s time for you to start rowing toward an exit.
