Clothes I already had before my no-shopping challenge: Striped shirt (similar) // Red Jacket (runs big! Wearing an XS) // Boots // Skinny Jeans // Purse (bought on the RealReal!)
After a brief hiatus on the career advice front, I’m back sharing some advice (and hopefully a few words of wisdom) of what to do when you feel over your head at work.
I happen to know a lot about this subject, because I’ve felt very much over-my-head from time to time often throughout my career. And honestly, I’m pretty sure most of us feel over-our-heads quite a bit more than we ever let on, which is why it’s important to talk about it more than we do. We all are trying to make it look like we have it all together in life (especially when it comes to work), and we don’t often talk about the fact that we’re often feeling a mix of less-than-flattering emotions: Imposter Syndrome, constant fear of failing, and even worse – feeling like we’re completely over our head.
I started a new job last May, and it’s always a whirlwind starting a new job – wherever it is. I’ve worked in advertising for a little over 7 years now, so I’m definitely not new when it comes to most things that have to do with coming up with advertising campaigns or anything related to social media. But there’s always a learning curve when it comes to working at a new company, and a laundry list of acronyms that everyone magically knows…yet the translations are nowhere to be found. Please send help…and the definition of “AOP” (Annual Operations Plan, don’t worry guys – finally learned it…I think…)
I felt even more over my head at my new job because even though I’ve worked in advertising for years, I never went to business school, and most of the people in my department go to business school before working at the company I work for. I’ve always felt passionate that I wasn’t going to go to business school until not having a business degree stopped me from moving up in my career. Working in social media, best-practices, platforms, ad formats (you name it) are constantly changing – so leaving the world for a few years to go to school full time seems almost more detrimental if you want to stay in the wild world of social media (which I do!). So I’ve stuck to my passion for social media, and moved around when needed to find new opportunities that would help me continue to grow in my career.
Anyways, I definitely had my fair share of months feeling completely over my head – especially with the transition to my last job. So if you’re feeling over your head too, don’t panic quite yet! Here’s some of the things that have helped me get through a rough patch at work, and overall in my career! 
Remember it’s not brain surgery:
It’s easy to get wound up in the day to day and the stress of your job, but it honestly helps me when I’m feeling overwhelmed to remind myself that it’s not brain surgery. I don’t save lives working as a social media manager, and even when there’s a legit crisis going on, or something feels like it’s on fire, at the end of the day, I’m not saving lives. I’ve been known to actually leave myself notes like “breathe” and “it’s not brain surgery” on my desk as a constant reminder that, no matter what, it’s all going to be OK.
Note: This advice is only relevant if you’re NOT a brain surgeon. If you are a brain surgeon, look for advice elsewhere 😉
Admit When You Took on Too Much – And Ask for Help:
I have been known to be the kinda person at work who bites off more than she can chew – especially in my latest job since I work on so many brands at the same time. I often have a 4-5 page to-do list, and when I’m feeling like I’m totally over my head, I’ve started to get better at asking for help when I need it.
I’m fortunate to work with co-workers who will offer to help out when they can tell I’m starting to get overwhelmed – but you have to listen to yourself and know when to ask for help (because most people won’t know when to step in otherwise!). Asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it just shows that you’re wise enough to know when you need help (and often people are receptive and happy that you spoke up!) 
Practice Prioritization:
With a 4-5 page to-do list, prioritization throughout the week is KEY. I write a to-do list every week, and leave enough space to fill in new tasks that come up throughout the week – both big and small. The tasks that are the most urgent get a big star next to them, and I make sure to prioritize anything that’s A) due today B) from my immediate boss, and/or C) is a legit crisis or issue that needs to be dealt with ASAP. We all have things on our to-do lists with rolling timelines, so push off the things you can if you’re overwhelmed, and focus on the big things that you need to get done.
When in Doubt – Google It.
Don’t underestimate the power of Googling something you don’t know, or want to learn. I taught myself so many of the skills I need for my day job by googling “how to do X”, and I still google new acronyms I hear or questions daily. Knowledge is power, and it’s nice when that knowledge is widely available on the internet 😉 Never underestimate the power of a good YouTube tutorial too…most of the skills I needed to learn for my blog were learned that way too!
Give Yourself some Credit
In a world of Imposter Syndrome and always feeling like you’re failing, no one is probably as hard on you as you are to yourself. There have been so many days at work where I feel like I’m completely failing and terrible at my job, but then I realize that no one else is thinking that but myself. Even on days where I think I completely screwed up a presentation, no one else usually notices the “mistakes” I made – and instead think I did a pretty decent job.
Make sure to always give yourself some credit – celebrate the big wins, and the little ones – and find the silver lining when you’re feeling like a total failure. And confide in your co-workers, and ask for advice/feedback whenever possible. If you’re feeling like you’ve botched something, I’m sure they have their own horror stories that can outshine your failures any day 😉
Okay, that was a long rant, but actually helped me remember the advice I need to give myself more often too! If you have any other tips or advice for when you’re feeling over your head at work – I’d love to hear it too! I can always use a little more advice and inspiration. xx
Looking for more career advice? See the advice I’d give my 22 year old self, a post on my career journey so far, and why I’m not planning to quit my day job anytime soon.
