Are you so busy that you feel like you're...
- going 90 to nothing?
- covered up (and about to suffocate)?
- juggling a million balls in the air (and worried you're about to drop them all)?
That was me at the beginning of last week.
My calendar and to-do list were full with my regular weekly client service and generating activities as well as several unique and time-consuming obligations (like a new corporate proposal and a speaking engagement an hour away).
None of this was bad. On the contrary, it was great for my business.
The problem was that I couldn't keep up with it all and felt like a 100 lb. weight had been placed on my shoulders that I was forced to drag around. After trying to get it all done for the first 2 days of the week, I finally decided that something had to give.
That's when I gave myself permission to drop something without... feeling guilty about or beating myself up over it.
What did I drop? My writing. I didn't write a single blog post last week.
For an online business owner who's trying to utilize her blog for SEO search purposes, that's actually a pretty big deal.
The Effect of Being Overly Busy
In my experience, most high-achievers rarely consider dropping something from their to-do list. Instead, they find ways to get it all done by:
- cutting back on time with family and friends;
- getting less sleep; and
- doing everything more "quickly" and "efficiently" (yet not doing a great job at anything, and then feeling guilty about it).
The fact is: you can't do it all. You're a human being who needs to take care of yourself, get sleep, and allow your mind some breathing room.
But when you're busy, you deprive yourself of what you need most.
That's when you end up feeling drained, exhausted... even burnt out. Not only that, but your work product suffers (and it's time to admit that).
The Underrated Solution to Being Overly Busy
Instead of wearing your busy-ness as a badge of honor, how about admitting to yourself that you can't get it all done? At least not well.
When you admit that you can't be or do your best in this state of being, then it's much easier to let go of something. Because dropping something from your to-do list and/or your calendar will:
- create more time and space for you to think more clearly and creatively;
- help you feel more calm and relaxed; and
- increase your energy levels (almost instantaneously).
There's something about making a decision to drop something that's freeing.
Your Success Strategy
Here's what I want you to do (right now), Friend:
- Step 1: Review your to-do list and calendar, while considering how they make you feel. Do you tense up, feel stressed, or even overwhelmed? If so, then this is ESPECIALLY for you.
- Step 2: Analyze every task and appointment. Ask yourself what would happen if you didn't do it - either at all or right now. Be honest about the repercussions of not doing something. Most people see dire consequences when there really aren't any.
- Step 3: Pick 1 thing to drop (and then drop it).
When doing this, keep in mind that you'll be better able to serve others (both personally and professionally) by dropping something.
A few tips:
- Dropping something means either (1) dropping it forever or (2) rescheduling it for a later time. However, do NOT reschedule something if it's going to create more stress in the future.
- Consider delegating everything that can be done by someone else.
- If more than one thing can be dropped, drop them all.
Once you decide, celebrate the fact that you've created some time for yourself and then use it wisely. Spend that time doing things that are
real priorities.
Once you've gone through this exercise, I want to hear from you! Let me know what you chose to drop and how that felt for you. I read every response and promise to get back to you.
Feel Calmer, More Confident, and In Control
Have you downloaded 5-Minute Stress Solutions yet? If you haven't, then do it now. Not only is it FREE, but it will help you (1) drastically reduce stress, (2) change your relationship with your thoughts, and (3) feel calmer, more confident and in control.
Who doesn't want that??
