| What's a person to do? You survived the | | | | time in the "urgent quadrant" will create stress |
| downsizing - again! Or you have started your own | | | | and impact your thinking, planning and your sleep |
| business - maybe you did not survive the | | | | and well-being. This is where you must continually |
| downsizing! In either case, the work still needs to | | | | ask yourself: "Is what I am doing right now |
| get done and there are fewer people to do it. | | | | getting my closer to completing my goal(s)?" |
| That leaves more on your desk and calendar. You | | | | Set aside time to regroup: |
| can't complain as you feel lucky to have a job! | | | | Sometimes you are so busy that you can't even |
| But you are feeling the stress of overload: too | | | | still your mind long enough to exhale. It is |
| much to do and not enough time. | | | | important to find time each day to have a respite |
| Since there is probably no one available to share | | | | from the chaos. Meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, walking, |
| the load, you can't really delegate it. You will have | | | | running or some other activity where you can |
| to find other ways to cope. Here are some | | | | take your mind off the things that must be done |
| suggestions: | | | | will help you keep a healthy perspective. |
| Set priorities: | | | | If you can't find time for physical activities, take a |
| Look at the importance of the tasks, the | | | | 10-minute mental break. Close your eyes and sit |
| deadlines and the impact of the results when | | | | back in your chair. If you have a sofa in your |
| determining which things to do first. It is tempting | | | | office, lie down. If you work at home, move to |
| to do the "easy" things first. You may feel like | | | | another room to escape the piles on your desk |
| you accomplished something, but make sure | | | | that beckon you. A little break with some quiet |
| those actions will get you the most from your | | | | time will regenerate your energy and clear your |
| efforts. Look at the big picture and determine | | | | mind. You may find you need to have a pen and |
| which action items will get the most results. Apply | | | | paper next to you to capture the thoughts that |
| the 80/20 Rule: choose the 20% of activities that | | | | surface during the break. |
| will give you 80% of the results you need. These | | | | There is no easy answer to Too Many Added |
| are your top priorities. | | | | Tasks. It is a sign of the times. This is where you |
| Avoid living in the "Urgent Quadrant": | | | | need to figure out how to work smarter, not |
| When you choose the wrong action items or get | | | | harder. And where you determine what you can |
| caught up in time-wasters, you force yourself into | | | | let go. If you can't do it all, do the right things at |
| the dreadful "urgent quadrant" of life. This | | | | the right time. And do them right because you |
| happens when you let things slide until the deadline | | | | don't have time to do them again! Take care of |
| looms and they become urgent. It is an | | | | yourself along the way. |
| uncomfortable place to live. Spending too much | | | | |