I often feel like I will go crazy when, as a Product Manager, I get literally hundreds of queries and requests every day. How to deal with it? Is there a stop to this madness? There are 10 ways to at least limit it:
1) Stick to your priorities
You don't need to answer all the requests coming your way. Use your product goals and strategy to filter out what's essential and what can wait.
2) Limit your availabili
Establish office hours or specific times when you're available for queries. This helps manage expectations and reduces constant interruptions.
3) Hide behind a tech wall
Utilize project management tools and communication platforms to organize requests and streamline communication. Jira can be better than a thousand meetings if used right!
4) Delegate as much as you can
Trust your team. Delegate tasks and empower others to make decisions within their scope. Also, assign some of them as the "go-to person" for certain areas of the product.
5) Batch Similar Tasks
Group similar queries and handle them in dedicated time slots. This improves efficiency and focus.
6) Communicate Proactively
Keep stakeholders informed about progress and priorities to reduce unnecessary follow-ups. On top of that, make every update easily accessible in a single place so you can train stakeholders to first check your Knowledgebase, as we can call it, before bothering you.
7) Learn to Say No
It's okay to decline requests and skip meetings that do not align with your priorities. You are paid for results, not for meaningless work.
8) Keep calm
Take short breaks to recharge. A clear mind handles stress better and improves decision-making. At Microsoft, all meetings start 5 minutes past the full hour to give people a breather between them.
9) Automate Routine Processes
Automate repetitive tasks where possible to free up time for more critical work. It can be time-consuming to set up, but it's an investment that will pay back, just like my automated Excel sheet for taxes. I spent 12 hours building it, saved me hundreds of hours already!
10) Reflect and Adjust
Regularly assess your workflow and make adjustments to improve productivity and reduce stress. Don't just go with the flow of crazy.
"Managed chaos is better than uncontrolled madness," dear reader.
So, what do you think? Do you have your own methods for dealing with overwhelming requests? Have you ever felt on the brink of madness and found a way back?
Share your experiences in the comments!
P.S. Did you like this post? If so, please make sure to follow me and hit the bell icon on my profile page ( Dr Bart Jaworski ) so you never miss a post! Also, check out my and Aakash Gupta's 10-week Product Management training cohort at https://www.landpmjob.com
#productmanagement #productmanager #productivity
1) Stick to your priorities
You don't need to answer all the requests coming your way. Use your product goals and strategy to filter out what's essential and what can wait.
2) Limit your availabili
Establish office hours or specific times when you're available for queries. This helps manage expectations and reduces constant interruptions.
3) Hide behind a tech wall
Utilize project management tools and communication platforms to organize requests and streamline communication. Jira can be better than a thousand meetings if used right!
4) Delegate as much as you can
Trust your team. Delegate tasks and empower others to make decisions within their scope. Also, assign some of them as the "go-to person" for certain areas of the product.
5) Batch Similar Tasks
Group similar queries and handle them in dedicated time slots. This improves efficiency and focus.
6) Communicate Proactively
Keep stakeholders informed about progress and priorities to reduce unnecessary follow-ups. On top of that, make every update easily accessible in a single place so you can train stakeholders to first check your Knowledgebase, as we can call it, before bothering you.
7) Learn to Say No
It's okay to decline requests and skip meetings that do not align with your priorities. You are paid for results, not for meaningless work.
8) Keep calm
Take short breaks to recharge. A clear mind handles stress better and improves decision-making. At Microsoft, all meetings start 5 minutes past the full hour to give people a breather between them.
9) Automate Routine Processes
Automate repetitive tasks where possible to free up time for more critical work. It can be time-consuming to set up, but it's an investment that will pay back, just like my automated Excel sheet for taxes. I spent 12 hours building it, saved me hundreds of hours already!
10) Reflect and Adjust
Regularly assess your workflow and make adjustments to improve productivity and reduce stress. Don't just go with the flow of crazy.
"Managed chaos is better than uncontrolled madness," dear reader.
So, what do you think? Do you have your own methods for dealing with overwhelming requests? Have you ever felt on the brink of madness and found a way back?
Share your experiences in the comments!
P.S. Did you like this post? If so, please make sure to follow me and hit the bell icon on my profile page ( Dr Bart Jaworski ) so you never miss a post! Also, check out my and Aakash Gupta's 10-week Product Management training cohort at https://www.landpmjob.com
#productmanagement #productmanager #productivity