How to Stop Being the Office Go-To Guy or Girl and Focus on Your Own Work

It’s a common scenario in almost every office. There’s always that one person who is known as the go-to guy or girl when it comes to IT-related issues. They are always happy to help, but this constant inundation of helping others can leave them feeling stressed and burned out. Ultimately, it can hinder their ability to complete their own work assignments and keep up with agreed-upon timelines.

If you can relate to this situation, then it’s time to put a policy in place to handle these unofficial tasks. It’s important to define your general availability, communication methods, and official routes when dealing with IT problems. This policy should be created with your superior and clearly communicated to your colleagues.

To help you implement this policy, let’s explore five steps you can take to put a stop to being the office go-to person and focus on your own work.

1. Talk to your boss

Start by scheduling a meeting with your boss. Let them know that your workload has become overwhelming due to others approaching you for IT-related help, and you can no longer handle your own workload. Discuss a policy that can be put in place to address the issue, and decide how it will be communicated to your colleagues via email, instant messaging, or other means determined by your boss.

2. Define the right way to communicate

Communication is key when it comes to implementing this policy. Define the right way for others to contact you for unofficial tasks, both electronically and physically. Be clear about your availability only during specific hours of the day for unofficial matters, and prioritize your own projects first. Develop processes and protocols that encourage the use of official channels for dealing with specific types of issues.

3. Isolate yourself physically

Sometimes, physical isolation is necessary to avoid distractions. Relocate yourself to another part of the office where you can work in peace without being disturbed. If that doesn’t work, consider working from home to cut physical contact to a minimum.

4. Ask people to follow official processes

Encourage others to follow official protocols when dealing with certain types of issues. Remind your colleagues that the right way to get help is to use the official channels – even if it takes longer to fix the issue. Discuss this protocol with your boss and ask them to communicate it company-wide. If your colleagues still prefer to come to you directly, alarms should ring for your boss, and they may need to re-evaluate the efficacy of the company’s official channels.

5. Change roles

If the above steps don’t work, then it may be time to consider changing roles or departments within your company. Consider working for the IT department or in another capacity where your skills may better align with your job duties.

In conclusion, being the office go-to guy or girl can be a double-edged sword. While you enjoy helping others, it can hinder your ability to complete your own work assignments and meet deadlines. The solution is to create and implement a policy that sets clear boundaries for how others should engage with you for unofficial tasks. Talk to your boss, define the right modes and hours of communication, isolate yourself physically, encourage people to follow official channels, and consider reevaluating your role in your organization. With these steps, you can stop being the go-to person and start focusing on your own work.