Ten Things: What to Do When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed at Work

I’ve been practicing law for decades, and even after 30+ years, there are still moments when I feel completely overwhelmed by everything on my plate. It’s just as stressful now as it was when I was a young associate at a big law firm, or as general counsel facing “bet-the-company” litigation. 

Luckily, experience brings some perks (aside from the occasional 50% IHOP discount at 4 p.m.). The biggest benefit is learning ways to manage that overwhelming feeling. Many in-house lawyers I talk to are struggling under an ever-growing workload, like a boulder rolling down a hill, crushing everything in its path.

With burnout becoming more common, I want to share practical, short-term strategies to help you regain control at work. These ten proven tips can make a real difference, though how much depends on your willingness to take action. Stick with me, and by the end, you’ll have tools to handle overwhelm and get back on solid ground.

Take a Break

When work feels overwhelming, the first thing you should do is step away from your desk. It might sound simple, or even lazy, but taking a short break can have an immediate positive impact on your focus and stress levels. Go for a quick walk, grab a coffee, or just step outside for a few minutes. Doing so gives your brain a chance to reset and lowers stress hormones like cortisol, helping you think more clearly.

While you’re at it, practice some deep breathing or gentle stretches to release tension in your neck, shoulders, and back. Even a few minutes can make a big difference. After your break, take a moment to jot down all the tasks on your mind. Writing things out helps you regain control and creates a clear starting point for tackling your workload. Remember: a short break is not wasted time, it’s a tool to recharge, refocus, and regain momentum.

Clean Up Your Workspace

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, clutter can make everything feel worse. The next step is to organize your workspace. Start by clearing away trash, old papers, and anything that doesn’t belong on your desk. Sort through notebooks, sticky notes, cables, and files, keeping only what you truly need. A clean, organized workspace helps reduce cognitive overload, improve focus, and make it easier to tackle your tasks.

Once your desk is tidy, organize digital files and emails as well. A clutter-free environment signals to your brain that it’s time to work and can lower stress instantly. Even small changes, like arranging papers or putting away supplies, create a sense of control and calm. When your surroundings are in order, it’s much easier to prioritize tasks and focus on the most important work without distractions.

Prioritize

Once your workspace is organized, it’s time to prioritize your tasks. Take the list you wrote during your break and identify the top three things that truly need your attention today. Focusing on just a few important tasks helps you regain control and prevents feeling lost in a sea of work.

A helpful method is the Eisenhower Matrix, which separates tasks into urgent vs. important. Ask yourself: which tasks carry the highest legal, financial, or business risk? Which tasks are blocking critical projects or deadlines? And which are expected by your manager or leadership?

By prioritizing, you reduce stress, focus on what matters most, and make steady progress, even when your workload feels overwhelming. Remember, it’s better to complete the most critical tasks well than to try to do everything at once and get nowhere.

Set an Out-of-the-Office Message

Even if you’re physically in the office, setting an out-of-the-office (OOO) message can help manage expectations and reduce stress. Let people know that you’re focused on a critical project and may take longer to respond. This simple step helps you set boundaries, giving yourself the space to concentrate without constant interruptions.

An OOO message also reduces pressure to respond immediately, allowing colleagues and clients to adjust their expectations. Transparency builds trust, and people are more likely to solve minor issues themselves rather than waiting on you.

Here’s an example you can adapt:

“Thanks for your message. I’m currently focused on a critical project with tight deadlines and may take longer than usual to respond. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.”

While it won’t stop everyone from emailing, it can significantly reduce distractions, helping you focus on your top priorities and regain control of your workload.

Clear the Road

Take a close look at your calendar. Chances are that 40% of your meetings, deadlines, or tasks are unnecessary time drains. When you feel overwhelmed, the first step is to free up your time and escape “meeting hell.” Start declining anything that doesn’t require your attendance.

Stop letting email control your day. Checking messages constantly allows others to dictate your priorities. Instead, review email at set times and make quick decisions: delete, delegate, delay, or do it, especially for tasks that take two minutes or less.

Here’s what to do now:

• Cancel meetings that can wait until you regain focus.
• Decline meetings where your presence isn’t essential; if unsure, ask for the agenda.
• Postpone vendor calls, outside counsel lunches, or sales meetings—you don’t owe your time.
• Block dedicated chunks of time for focused work, including “meetings with yourself.”
• Negotiate deadlines instead of volunteering unrealistic ones. Many deadlines are flexible; push back where possible.
• Turn off email pop-ups, Teams alerts, and notifications that break your focus.

By taking control of your calendar and inbox, you reclaim your mental space, reduce stress, and focus on your top priorities.

Tell Your Boss

When you feel overwhelmed, the first person to talk to is your manager. Being honest about your workload isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a smart move. Your manager can help you prioritize tasks, protect you from new assignments, or redistribute work to keep things manageable.

Explain what’s happening and ask for guidance on what should take priority. They might be able to run interference with demanding colleagues, provide support, or bring in extra help—even outside counsel if necessary.

If your manager isn’t willing to listen or help, it may be a red flag about your work environment. You deserve support, and staying in a place where overwhelm is constant isn’t sustainable.

By communicating clearly, you gain perspective, reduce stress, and can focus on what truly matters without feeling buried.

Find an Extra Hour per Day

Everyone has what I call a “Golden Hour”, the time of day when you are most productive. For some, it’s early morning; for others, late afternoon or evening. The key is to identify your peak focus time and find a way to add one extra hour during that period.

You can do this by getting up earlier, staying up later, or shifting tasks around your schedule. Even small bits of time can add up to a full hour. Use this time to tackle your most important tasks without distractions.

Technology can also help. Tools like productivity apps, task managers, or AI assistants can save time and reduce repetitive work.

Finding this extra hour each day is like gaining almost a full extra day each week—giving you space to get meaningful work done, reduce stress, and regain control of your workload.

Get Something Done

When work feels overwhelming, the best way to start climbing out of the hole is to complete something, anything meaningful. It doesn’t have to be huge; even a small win counts.

Completing a task, no matter how minor, gives your brain a sense of progress and control. It breaks the inertia that often comes with too much on your plate. Once you start moving, momentum builds, making it easier to tackle the next task.

Small wins also reduce stress and build confidence. Each completed step proves that you can make progress, even when the overall workload feels impossible.

So, focus on what you can finish today, even if it’s just a part of a bigger project. Those little victories add up, helping you regain control and move steadily toward clearing your to-do list.

What Can You Delegate?

One of the most powerful ways to reduce overwhelm is delegation. Many lawyers struggle with this because they feel no one can do the work as well as they can. But the truth is, you don’t have to do everything yourself.

Start by identifying tasks that others can handle, whether it’s administrative work, routine legal research, or preliminary project prep. Then, take the time to train and guide them, rather than just dumping tasks and walking away. Check in periodically, give feedback, and focus on the end result, not the process.

You don’t need to manage people directly to delegate. Consider:

• Paralegals or administrative staff for routine tasks
• Virtual assistants for time-saving support
• Colleagues or other lawyers for shared responsibilities
• Outside counsel for specialized work that’s time-consuming

Delegating effectively frees up your time for higher-priority work, helps your team grow, and reduces your stress.

Live with “Good Enough”

When you’re overwhelmed, striving for perfection on every task is a fast track to burnout. Instead, embrace “good enough” getting things done to a solid, acceptable standard without obsessing over every detail.

Ask yourself:

• Will perfection here truly make a difference?
• Is anyone likely to notice or care about extra polish?
• Are there higher-priority tasks that deserve my focus?

Focusing on “good enough” doesn’t mean cutting corners, it means finishing tasks efficiently so you can clear your plate and tackle what matters most.

This approach reduces stress, improves productivity, and builds momentum. When used wisely, “good enough” helps you regain control and move forward without getting trapped in endless fine-tuning.

Conclusion

Feeling overwhelmed at work is common, even for experienced professionals. The key is to take practical steps to regain control. By taking breaks, prioritizing tasks, clearing distractions, delegating effectively, and accepting “good enough,” you can reduce stress and improve your focus. 

These strategies help you work smarter, not harder, and allow you to manage your workload without burning out. Remember, overwhelm is temporary, and with the right approach, you can reclaim your time, energy, and peace of mind at the office.

FAQs

How do I know if I’m truly overwhelmed at work?
Signs include constant stress, inability to focus, missed deadlines, and feeling mentally exhausted despite effort.

What’s the fastest way to feel less overwhelmed?
Take a short break, breathe deeply, jot down tasks, and focus on your top three priorities.

How can I prioritize when everything feels urgent?
Use the Eisenhower Matrix to sort tasks by urgency and importance, then tackle high-priority items first.

Is delegation really effective if I don’t manage a team?
Yes. You can delegate to paralegals, colleagues, assistants, or even outside counsel to free up your time.

How do I know when “good enough” is enough?
Ask yourself whether perfection will truly make a difference, impact deadlines, or improve outcomes. Focus on value, not perfection.

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