Part 2
8. Stop multitasking; it’s been proven to be an inefficient and less productive way to work and it will only lead you to feeling more overwhelmed.
9. Clutter causes stress and overwhelm. It’s a fact. Eliminate clutter in your home and you’ll feel more calm and in control. Take a good hard look around your home; let go of the things you don’t use or are saving because “you may need them some day”. If you don’t need them now what’s going to change so that you will need them?
10. Reduce distractions. CHOOSE not to be distracted by not taking a call if it’s not urgent. That’s what voicemail is for. Don’t visit Facebook every time a notice appears in your inbox. Emails don’t need an immediate response (unless your company requires it). Plan on responding to emails 2-3 times each day. Most importantly be AWARE of how you get distracted and do something about it.
11. Know when you are at your best. Are you a morning person? Then tackle the job you consider most difficult, tedious or requires creativity in the morning. You will be more productive and produce better quality work. Save the work that comes easy to you and requires less brain power for when you’re not at your best.
12. No isn’t a dirty word. It’s better to say no than to say yes and resent the people who asked for your help. If you and your family are going to suffer because you’ll be miserable fulfilling this obligation than you’re better off saying no I’m sorry but I can’t help this time. Every time you make a choice to do too much, you make a choice to feel overwhelmed.
13. Delete or delegate. If you’re serious about not feeling overwhelmed consider eliminating things from your to do list all together. Maybe the tasks that have been on your list for years aren’t important. Maybe your life has changed and the task no longer needs to be done. Is it time to admit you don’t have the time or the expertise for the job and need to hire someone?
14. It’s ok to take small steps, a little progress is still progress. If the job seems too big and you’re dreading it set a timer and work on the task for 30 minutes then take a break. If you feel up to it go back for another 30 minutes, if not go back to it another day.
Give these tips a try, soon you’ll feel that you do have the power you thought you’d lost; instead of feeling like you’re drowning you’ll relax and enjoy the ride.
As usual, I’m here to help if you need me. A coaching session to help you adopt some of these habits can be done over the phone in 30 or 60 minutes session. Curious how that would work? Call or email me I’d be happy to explain.
Lorraine
