Stress is often a sign that you have “too much on your plate”. That saying is used to illustrate the fact that someone has more responsibilities, tasks and other commitments than they can handle. When this situation persists, this chronic stress, and your body's response to it, can lead you to feeling burned out altogether, and incapable of dealing with your normal, day-to-day life.
Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize
When you have too many commitments to keep up with, it is only natural to feel a sense of failure or depression when responsibilities are not handled. This is a sign that you are a responsible person. You have made commitments or had tasks handed down to you, and you work very hard to accomplish all of them. Sometimes though, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. Your personal and business responsibilities, as well as social activities, seem to pile up one on another until you experience constant stress, rather than a sense of accomplishment.
This is a sign that you need to prioritize your world, and stop saying “yes” every time you are asked to help out.
What is really, truly important in your life? Ask yourself this question about your job, family, and yourself. Be very honest here. Understanding what needs to be done, and what you want to get done, as well as what you should ignore, helps you plan your day so that your most important responsibilities are handled first.
Take a Look at Your To-Do List
Write down everything you need to accomplish today, this week, this month and this year. Without writing it down, and simply relying on your memory, doesn't always work. Once you have your to-do list in front of you, circle or check those activities which only take a few minutes to finish.
Your list of responsibilities for today may have 15 items. Taken as a whole, that list can look pretty daunting. You are thinking about every task and commitment at the same time, but you can't accomplish more than one thing at a time.
Look at each item on your to do list individually. By grouping together those responsibilities which can be completed in a few minutes each, and then attacking them accordingly, you can often knockout a large part of your responsibilities in a short period of time.
Make Time for Yourself
If you are burned-out you can't help anyone, including yourself. Clear time in your schedule for “me” activities. You may be surprised that by making time for yourself throughout your busy schedule, you are more productive, and capable of accomplishing all of your scheduled activities and commitments.
Join the Take Time Away From Your Biz mini-workshop.
Biz boldly,
