I’m one of only two designers at my company, and we’re juggling a lot of responsibilities, including business-related tasks. Do you have any advice on how to get better at setting and meeting OKRs?

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I hear you; I’ve been in that situation myself being one of two Product Designers when I first started.
It’s not easy, but here’s how I coped:

3 tips to be productive in small design team

1. Make my tasks transparent

I used tools like Trello or Notion to keep my tasks open for the whole team.
This way, everyone knows what I'm working on and why certain things are a priority.
It keeps everyone in the loop and makes collaboration easier.
 
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2. Speak up when I’m overloaded

I would tell my manager and the team if I was swamped and needed help as early as possible.
If we couldn’t bring in extra help, I’d figure out what could realistically get done in the sprint and adjust expectations.
This helps set expectations and avoid burnout.

3. Protect my focus time

I hate people tapping me on the shoulder when I try to get work done.
I would find a quiet spot, put on my headphones and get started.
That’s why I prefer the hybrid model so much more.
 
Here’s a great book on this subject — The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide by Leah Buley.
 
👋 Looking for a mentor? I run coaching workshops to help you get unstuck. More details here ⬇️
 
 

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