How to Avoid Taking on Too Many Responsibilities

By Marc Zarefsky, June 28, 2018

Given the pace of life today, it’s increasingly common to feel overwhelmed by a blizzard of professional obligations. To-do lists grow despairingly long; calendars fill with meetings and calls. Even those with laser focus can struggle to keep up.

But some of us are more susceptible than others to getting swept up in this frenzied accumulation of tasks, struggling to set priorities or say no. By trying to do everything at once, some of us end up falling behind.

Carter Cast, a clinical professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School, spent several years examining career derailment. In his new book, The Right (and Wrong) Stuff: How Brilliant Careers Are Made—and Unmade, he explores five common issues that impede career progress. Of the five, this is the issue people self-identify with most frequently.

“Careers can derail when people don’t deliver on promises,” Cast says. “This can be a real problem because fellow workers start to distance themselves when they think you can’t be counted on.”

Recognize this trait in yourself? Cast offers five recommendations on how to get organized and get ahead.

Be Clear on What’s Expected of You

Many employees, at least on paper, have more responsibilities than any single person can realistically tackle. A sales executive may have a vast client portfolio. An HR executive may be charged with the growth and development of hundreds of employees. A compliance director might technically have oversight over dozens of complex vendor relationships.

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Want to Volunteer? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions

January 12, 2018

Written by Joanie Faletto

Giving back does good, feels good, and is good for you. If you don’t have the spare cash to donate to worthy causes, perhaps you have some extra time. Showing up to help out is a lot more fun than just writing a check anyway. But time is a precious resource, so before committing to a volunteer opportunity, do a little research. Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself that will help you choose a charitable venture that’s worth your time.

What Do I Care About?

Maybe it’s a no-brainer, but picking a cause you’re passionate about is a critical part of the process. There are lot of causes out there, after all. Take a look at different charity categories, then try to gauge which feels most important to you. Maybe it’s the environment, veterans, the homeless, disease research, animals, or one of the other million choices out there.

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