Overwhelmed? 5 Practical Steps to Regain Control

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Got too much to do?

Are your To Do Lists multiplying like rabbits?

Feel like you are on a never-ending tread mill?

What would it be like if you could regain focus and get back in the driver’s seat? What if instead of making organization a goal… you established some habits that would guarantee you’d start the month, the week, heck, every day off organized and peacefully productive? 

Here are my best tips for beginning and ending each day:

Take the time to set a daily focus and priorities—the best thing you can do is to start every day by reviewing your focus for the day and your two or three most important tasks. Yes, this needs to happen before you check your email, or Facebook, or your text messages or any other black hole that pulls you in and sacrifices your time.  When you start the day by focusing on your goals and not someone else’s, you are creating and following your own agenda.  This is key to staying in control and staying organized.

Take the time to create a daily time plan on your calendar-This involves reviewing any appointments or obligations that you have. Next, fill in the time slots around your appointments with the tasks that you have designated as priority for the day.  Every working hour needs to have a plan. Begin with the most pressing and the tasks that take the most focus and energy first. Set aside a specific time to return phone calls and answer emails then stick to it.  Turn off the constant reminders on your phone/computer of incoming messages.

Be realistic-Allow some time for breaks and transition. For the most part, people work best with intense focus periods of 1 ½ hours with a small break in between.  Keep moving. Stand up or walk around to work when possible.  Plan healthy snacks to keep your energy level high.

Finish your day with a review-At the end of your day, prepare for the next day by:

• Listing the tasks that are incomplete and that you want to carry over to the next day
• Organizing and filing away items on your desk top
• Reviewing your calendar for the next day and preparing any items that you will need to start the day off effectively

Learn to leave your work at work-More than any other generation, we carry our work with us. This is especially true for those of us who work from home. Text messages, emails, cell phones all keep us in constant contact with our working world.  Set a time when you are off work and stick to it.  At the end of your designated work day say, “Now it’s time for ____________.”  Fill in the blank with what you want to schedule your off time for; family time, relaxation time, social time with friends.  The do it! Stay in control and stick to your planned routine.

You deserve a break!!

Enjoy a Summer of Renewal with Videos designed just for you!  

Watch Video #4 on Overwhelm here!