blog about it

Writing is an important skill that can make you quite valuable. You can increase your value by learning complementary skills. However, it doesn’t mean that you should lose focus of the job that you were hired to do.

It’s important to continue to learn, in whatever work you do. As a writer, you learn how to complete articles quickly and cleanly. Anticipating the needs of articles will help you to get done beforehand any research you need. You know too that language is fluid, dynamic and therefore guidelines change. You need to keep up with changes and that’s a lot.

So Why Learn Other Things?

If you knew one thing, only one thing, better than any in your field, I wouldn’t necessarily bid top dollar to hire you. Wherever I work, I find that employers are of the same mindset. Why is that?

It helps to know how other departments work to improve the flow of projects. Knowing a little about design will help when you have to write the ad copy for 1 inch positions. Or, how to write the article so that the preview section to come from the first paragraph. Or, how to edit so that you can write your articles to need minimal revisions by the editors. These related skills will usually come into play somewhat throughout your work experience.

How Much is Too Much?

Most people run their businesses to maximize profits. Makes sense, right? It can get out of hand when the boss wants you to put on the multiple hats you wear at the same time. Unless you’re in a one-man operation, you need to focus on your one job. Sometimes employers forget or don’t understand that it’s a good practice to have people focus on their primary responsibilities.

Signs that things have gotten out of hand include:

• Deadlines constantly needing revisions – when deadlines are repeatedly being extended and you’re being singled out, there may be too much on your plate
• Work requiring more revisions than usual because of mistakes – many things requiring your attention concurrently makes you want to rush; things can easily get missed
• Bad stress from juggling multiple jobs – when you have several full jobs, it can be stressful to have to switch gears throughout your work day; bad stress can be physically debilitating
• Dread on Sunday for what’s coming on Monday – when your weekend ends early because your job takes your attention away from relaxation, something needs to change at home, at work or in your routine

Basically only you know when you are pushed to extremes. Even if you’re financially compensated for doing all different jobs (and this is highly unlikely if you’re being asked to do them all) at some point work starts to flag. After a point, it is counterproductive and if you care about your performance, it can be quite frustrating.

What’s an Employee to Do?

There are things you might to to pre-empt and solve problems at a job. Make an honest assessment of your skills before and while you’re working at a job. Always, do what you do to the best of your ability. Understand that in most companies there is some overlap and cross training. With that, there are things that you can do to minimize your being over-stretched.

1. Never say you can do what you can’t. And be specific about how well you know your skills. In other words, when you’re a writer don’t say you’re also a professional web designer if you’re two weeks into learning HTML.

2. Bring your healthiest self to the job. Get rest and exercise and proper nourishment. Being alert on the job will help you to think clearly, and be able to trust your work choices.

3. Something more difficult to do, don’t always say yes to get along. When you can’t, say you can’t. Early on in one of my jobs, I said yes to everything and all deadlines. I eventually learned how the company worked and what to say no to, and when to adjust deadlines.

Some companies don’t understand that one person doing three jobs is not the best circumstance, and should only be short term. Sometimes in those companies, there are bosses who are receptive and able to separate jobs, hire and pay people to do them.

4. Ultimately your best work will be done when you are in a good work environment. When your work environment is not good, when you can’t work with others to make the situation better and you know you’re doing everything you can individually, it may be time to leave. When you know it’s time to go, I suggest that you begin your exit strategy by searching for the work and the environment you need.

Make sure your choices are made based on earnest assessments of all factors.