Pernille:
Hi,
I read an article last week in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten about time pressure in the workforce, which addressed Norwegian workers’ perception of time pressure in completing their tasks. The article presented that due to shorter workweeks and the highest work intensity in Europe, many Norwegian workers still feel they don’t have the time completing their tasks resulting in overtime, skip of lunch and taking the job home. This tendency is more salient in profession with higher education but do address different professions and sectors. 6 out of 10 agree or partial agree that they get paid for their hard work even though there are variations in different professions. However, 90% experience job satisfaction. This topic has had a lot of media exposure and it seems to be a common difficulty for many.
Personally I find this topic of high interest, as it is one of my daily struggles. Especially as a student I feel that time pressure is very salient. There are many elements on a student’s agenda, not just school and schoolwork, but jobs, hobbies and other social activities. Juggling all of this is hard – not just having the time to do everything but doing it the best possible way. It is an important time in our life, as it will set the standard for our future career opportunities. Hence, it seems that it doesn’t matter what the life situation is, time pressure will always be a central factor. So, do we create the time pressure ourselves?
Reading a lot about the time-pressure debate, my personal opinion is that people’s experiences with time pressure is realistic, however, also used as an excuse. In relation to the workplace many professions have introduced flexi time as well as home offices to ease the workday and give a more tailored alternative to their employees’ agendas. In other words, employees have more control over their own day. In regards to the workload I experience this as a continuous struggle. Shifting the focus away from what one haven’t been able to do, to what has been done, may give people a feeling of accomplishment and success.
From my perspective, time pressure is often an excuse even though as a student there are a lot of demands to for fill. Besides school and school work, having a job, socialize with friends, and attending hobbies is also important factors to me. This is what defines me as a human and I need these elements in order to fully live my life. However, it is important to prioritize!
I think the key to cope with time pressure is to create a weekly or monthly schedule. Personally, I am a big fan of detailed lists concerning what I have to do and when it has to be done. Another important factor is that one needs to be true to oneself, some people need more time then others in completing different tasks. It should not be a race in getting things done quickly, rather use the needed time in completing one task thoroughly. Lastly, don’t compare yourself with fellow students or colleagues. We are all different people, comparison will often give a bad taste and one should rather use the time focusing on one self’s achievements instead.
So, after writing my own thoughts and feelings regarding the time pressure would I love to hear from you - what are your thoughts on the time pressure and how you cope with it??
Have a fantastic week and good luck on your exams!!
