I’m no Bill Gates or Richard Branson, but I still manage to get
everything I need to do done (usually within a reasonable amount of
time, too) and still have a little time to play hard, too. That being said, between organizing Boutique de Noel (mark your calendars now, 12-13 November, 2014), managing
clients, doing work, editing the book and completing my research, sometimes I consider all the things I
have to do and feel a little… overwhelmed.
everything I need to do done (usually within a reasonable amount of
time, too) and still have a little time to play hard, too. That being said, between organizing Boutique de Noel (mark your calendars now, 12-13 November, 2014), managing
clients, doing work, editing the book and completing my research, sometimes I consider all the things I
have to do and feel a little… overwhelmed.
I’m probably not the only one who feels like this when there’s a lot on.
Instead of freaking out, which is usually my first inclination, I do the
following to keep my day on track and my mind ready for what’s next:
1. Weekly to do lists: there’s something so gratifying about crossing things out when they’re done. The great feeling of striking through an item with a big pen is often incentive enough to get something finished. But let’s rewind. Making a list may seem tedious and, if it is too long, just looking at everything you have to do can make your head swim. That’s why I make a list of everything I need to do during the week and then break it down into…
2. Daily intentions: this may sound a little new age-y and yogic. Sorry. I started out separating my weekly “to do’s” from my internal daily intentions, which were much more about personality traits I’d like to change (talk less, listen more, be genuine, act more sane, etc.). However, there’s something cathartic about writing things down, and I’ve already gone on and on about how nice it is to cross things out. Therefore, I changed things up a bit and began to combine my weekly to do list and daily intentions. My intentions are now not only tasks from my weekly list that I want to finish in the next 24 hours, but a few more personal objectives such as running five miles, calling my mother or being less emotional at sad movies. I always add a little too much to my daily intentions list, but that’s okay, because I can always carry over an item or three to the next day.
3. Keep my email inboxes clean: it sounds insane, but when my email inbox is out of control, my mental state follows suit. This is probably psychosomatic, but I get so stressed out that I should probably coin a new phrase: a well-kept inbox is a sane mind. My email accounts are divided between incoming client, volunteer, research and personal matters, and I leave emails that include outstanding items or “to do’s” in my inboxes. Therefore, I set a goal to never let more than 50 emails accumulate in each inbox. This keeps me current on most projects and keeps my inboxes in check simultaneously. (Be grateful I’ve come up with this system because if I didn’t, I’d be a wreck all the time.)
4. Don’t stick to a pattern: this is probably where I differ most from all those productivity gurus out there. Whenever I read those lists about the top characteristics of successful and productive people, I feel like keeping a schedule or sticking to a pattern are always on the top of the list. Personally, however, routine breeds laxity. If I know where I’m going to be tomorrow and the next day and the next, I get lazy. The sun will rise, I’ll go where I need to be, and then it’ll set. Repeat. To me, with such a routine there’s no point in doing anything to innovate or expedite. The future will be the same, regardless of what I do. Maybe this isn’t an overly healthy way of looking at things, nor is it always true, but whatever. This outlook motivates me. I could fail and be homeless tomorrow, or my company could strike it big. Or I could be in the same place. Who knows. It’s a tightrope, and I’m balancing alright at the moment, but one slip and I could end up at the bottom of the canyon. So I work hard, and change things up to see what works and what doesn’t. This leads to a very busy, very versatile schedule and lifestyle. I like that. It keeps me efficient, effective and very organized. Most of the time.
5. Exercise is critical: not sure about you, but when I’m busy with work and social events, the first thing I axe is exercise. My daily fitness regime goes out the window the minute I decide to sleep in an extra 30 minutes or work through my lunch break so I can grab drinks with friends at 7. However, just like list making, exercise keeps me sane. It is a great way to take a break and still stay “in the flow,” meaning I’m being productive and not entirely stopping my momentum, as would happen if I stopped to watch a TV show or chat on the phone. Since exercise has become so critical to keeping me balanced and calm even in the most stressful of situations, I’ve started to make time for it even if that means working late, losing sleep, skipping out on social events, etc.
6. Everything is a learning experience: blame it on the years of ballet. Blame it on parenting (the easy outlet). Blame it on being raised in NoVA. For whatever the reason(s), I’m a perfectionist, which can lead to very rigid ways of thinking. I hate being challenged almost as much as I hate being proven wrong or not being in control of a situation. Find something about my work product or idea you don’t like? Put me in a situation I know I won’t be able to control? It used to be that I’d get extremely defensive and angry. After years of pure rage at the idea of being proven wrong or stupid, I got used to the idea. (Of not being omnipotent, that is.) And you know what? It is so cool to know so little and control basically nothing. I learn something new every day because I’m open to the opportunity. If you keep your mind open, some of the stuff you’ll pick up is really amazing. And some of it is rubbish. It is up for you to distinguish between the two.
Now I’m interested…what keeps you productive?
Comments
Brill tips here – it's something I'm definitely learning having to do as my life is getting busier – truth is I've been coasting off the back of 'I've got a new job and need time to adjust' for two months now so need to get myself in gear.
Loving lists at the moment – work and home – there is something so satisfying about actually checking stuff off with a big tick!
Totally with you on exercising, feel awful going without!
Hmm maybe…
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