Struggling with workload

[PuppyPals]

Just looking for advice really. I can't decide whether I am just being lazy or if its reasonable to be struggling with my workload.

I work part from home part in the office. Less than 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. But I'm the only worker for this small company. I am struggling to keep up with the workload, I forever have a to do list that never gets finished. I'm always chasing my tail and its causing me to forget things/leave stuff to the last minute.

I know I should try organising my time better. I know the pomodoro technique for example. But I'm still behind a lot. I tend to assume it's me, that I need to do a better job. But I know the previous person struggled too.

Are any of you in the same position? Overworked/too much on your plate? How can I resolve this when theres no one else available to help?

First question

Do you think the tasks you are given fit into your working hours?

Take your time so your not rushing.
Do what you can in the time you have and raise with your manage that x & y won’t get done do they want you to prioritise over z or leave it until your free.
Set expectations of how long work is taking and feedback when something won’t be picked up because you are busy with existing work
Try and find a system that works for you for tracking work so it’s not being missed there are lots of methods but it has to work for you

I have a similar issue, although i'm on the other side of it. My assistant is just not keeping up with work. but he doesn't communicate with me at all.

my first thought would be as a poster above said communicate with your manager re your workload. if you are too busy, let them know. manage their expectations.

there are loads of different methods for prioritising and getting work done. no one fix for everyone. personally for me the pomodoro technique doesn't work well. i'm a "eat the frog" girl and by this i try and tackle the most horrible task first.

i run a two list system with my to do list. I have my monthly list - which is essentialy a list of everything that needs to get done that month. it may be recurring things, and ad hoc things. but it all goes on there and gets crossed off as it gets completed. then i have a daily list - so i try and organise my day around doing 5 tasks as a minimum. no matter how big or small. but once ive got those ones done i move onto something else from the list.

i find im most productive in the morning, so try and get my frog task done then. gives me the motivation to crack on with my day. but you need to find what works.

but communication. thats the key to it all in my opinion.

I don' really have a manager. I have a director who works abroad so the advice and help is patchy. They are well meaning but just too distanced from the every day. Honestly, a couple of years ago when I started I was supporting someone else. With the two of us we had full time cover for the job. Now it's just me on very part time hours and although the business have decreased a little since Covid, there is still too much work to fit in my working hours. And we can't grow the business back to pre-Covid levels unless I am able to split myself in two (that's how it feels).