Navigating Your Workload When You're Sick
On Friday, I had a mile-long list prepped for this week—that is, until I got sick.
Instantly, my priorities shifted from "How fast can I get it all done?' to 'How can I keep things moving without pushing myself over the edge?'
Moments like these test more than your to-do list skills; they test how you communicate under pressure, focus on what truly matters, and care for yourself when you are not 100%.
This week, we will explore how to handle these challenging situations without dropping the ball by sharing early and often, prioritizing the right tasks, and taking care of your well-being.
Communicate Early and Often
Take a moment to think about your key stakeholders—managers, teammates, and any cross-functional partners. If they know you're unavailable or at half capacity, they can quickly shift deadlines, reassign tasks, or offer their help. Being upfront might feel awkward initially, but it's far more effective than letting them assume you're at 100%.
Send a brief status update
"Hey, team. I'm out with the flu. I can respond to urgent emails but can't lead the project meeting this afternoon."
A single message helps others to make quick decisions on your behalf.
Offer alternatives
In the situation above, don't just throw your hands up. If you can't lead the meeting, suggest a teammate who can fill in and share any talking points or slides in advance.
Set clear communication windows
Let your team know if and when you will check messages and emails. This will remove the guesswork about when to expect replies.
Prioritize What Matters
Even if you're transparent about your situation, your to-do list won't magically vanish. That's where prioritization comes in.
It's about identifying the tasks that truly require your attention right now versus those that can wait or be reassigned.
A common mistake is trying to maintain your usual workload despite feeling unwell. Doing so often leads to halfway-done tasks and increased stress. Instead, accept that your capacity is temporarily reduced and work with what you can do effectively. This shift in mindset allows you to produce higher-quality results on the most critical items rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Categorize your tasks
Use a quick matrix to prioritize what needs to get done:
- High Urgency + High Importance: Must-do now
- High Urgency + Low Importance: Delegate if possible
- Low Urgency + High Importance: Reschedule if needed
- Low Urgency + Low Importance: Postpone or drop
Negotiate deadlines
If a task can be shifted to next week, ask. It's better to finalize a new timeline than rush work that may need revisiting.
Delegate when you can
Handing off a task is only helpful if the other person knows exactly what success looks like. Outline clear objectives, due dates, and supporting materials.
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Don't Forget Your Well-Being
You can communicate and prioritize all you want, but you risk prolonged illness, burnout, and subpar work if you don't care for yourself. Rest and recovery aren't signs of weakness; they're essential for staying effective over the long haul.
Beyond physical rest, consider your mental well-being as well. Feeling stressed or guilty for not being 100 percent can create a downward spiral. Allow yourself to slow down and let go of tasks that aren't urgent. Taking regular breaks, hydrating, and getting a full night's sleep may sound obvious, but these small actions often fall by the wayside when we're under pressure.
Schedule breaks and recovery time
Block out time on your calendar. If colleagues see you're unavailable for 30 minutes, they're less likely to interrupt, and you can rest or clear your mind.
Know your new limits
If you usually handle four major tasks a day, you might only manage one or two now, and that's okay. Being realistic helps you avoid overcommitting.
No one plans to get sick or deal with an unexpected crisis, but how we handle these moments speaks volumes about our leadership.
By communicating quickly, prioritizing the tasks that truly matter, and respecting your need for rest, you can still move the ball forward—even if it looks different from your original plan. Plus, you'll cultivate a team culture where honesty and empathy are the norm, setting everyone up for success.
Got a tip or story about dealing with unexpected setbacks? Reply to this email—I'd love to hear how you maintain productivity and balance when life throws you a curveball.