3 tips for how to stop doing your colleague’s work

Even if we don’t admit it, we all want to be liked. Some of us will even go above and beyond the call of duty to get on a coworker’s good side. Remember, there is a difference between establishing rapport and overextending yourself, and as a result giving much, but receiving little. Now is the time to find the strength to stop doing others’ work for them and truly start focusing on yourself. Here’s how…

Give them proper credit
If you’re a people-pleaser, you don’t want to run the risk of damaging a work relationship if you summon the strength to say “no.” Although you want to offer assistance or agree to help if asked, let them do the job they were hired to do. When they complete a project, give them the credit they deserve to boost their confidence in their abilities. This will help them learn to be more independent in the future.

Respect yourself
It’s admirable to want to be there for your peers, but to get ahead in the workplace, it’s vital you remember to respect yourself. It’s not fair to you if you’re stuck doing more than you’re able. This will only leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Stop letting others take advantage of your flexibility. Professionals are far more resilient than we often give them credit for. So, stop worrying about how saying “no” will affect them and instead learn to hold yourself in higher regard.

Establish boundaries
It is quite alright to help out others in the workplace, as being there for each other is important to overall office productivity. But, remember that you have your own tasks to focus on and they will surely suffer if you keep piling on your coworker’s work. Learn to set proper boundaries for yourself and gauge how much time you have (after your work is done) to help those around you.