Crystal's Notes 23 Aug

You’ve just finished one project, taken a deep breath, and before you know it, another three tasks land on your desk. For many professionals, having a "Captain Overload" as a boss can feel relentless. Here’s a quick guide on how you can manage it.

1. Build a "Boss Log"

Create a simple, dated list of every task they assign you. Include the request date, the deadline, and the priority. This helps you keep a clear record of your workload.

2. Ask for Prioritisation in Real-Time

When your boss gives you a new task, don’t just say yes. Instead, say something like, "Happy to take this on. Currently, I have A, B, and C on my plate. Which would you like me to prioritise?" This shifts the responsibility back to them to decide what’s most urgent.

3. Send Proactive Weekly Summaries

Every Monday or Friday, send a short update that says: "Here's what I'm working on this week based on our discussions." List your top 3 priorities and ask for any clarifying questions. This keeps you and your boss aligned and prevents tasks from falling through the cracks.

4. Advocate for Your Needs

Try saying, "Hey boss, I want to keep on delivering high-quality work to the standard you know I can produce. To do that, I'll need to quickly clarify expectations and timelines so I can manage priorities accordingly." To get your work seen and heard by the right people, join the waitlist for my upcoming course on career visibility.

If your boss still overloads you and refuses to take priorities off your plate, there are a few possibilities:

• Maybe they’re just disorganized: This kind of boss is often unaware of their own chaos. Your proactive updates and clarifying questions will help them get organised.

• Maybe it’s the nature of the job: Some roles, like in investment banking, are just inherently overwhelming. In this case, you need to be honest with yourself: Do you have what it takes to thrive in this sector, or are you sacrificing your mental health?

• Maybe your boss is an A-hole: If you’re junior and giving direct feedback isn't an option, consider an internal transfer or another job where you’re with a more supportive boss.

Setting boundaries is a key leadership skill, and we cover these strategies and more in our signature training programme here and also in my book, Deep Human: Practical Superskills for a Future of Success (Third Edition), which is now available for preorder here.

For those who are ready to take the next step and go even further, I've partnered with Zachary Young (the business scaling expert from my viral podcast episode) to launch an invite-only retreat in St Moritz, Switzerland, at the end of the year. This ultra-exclusive retreat is designed for leaders who are serious about overcoming limiting beliefs and 10x their success. If you're ready to make your next bold move, apply here.

Much love

Crystal