Far Less for More!

A great way to reduce your stress and feeling of overwhelm is to plan on doing less.  Sounds like a simple concept that is not so simple to implement.  That is the point – keep it simple.  Here are some tips to help you accomplish this simple task.

Tip 1:  Say NO!  You’ve already got a full plate for the next two months.  You’re a doer and people naturally ask you to do “one more thing” because you always say yes and get things accomplished.  Adding more during a holiday season isn’t kind to yourself.  If it is something you’d like to do, explain that you don’t have time right now, but would be happy to help out after the new year.

Tip 2:  Essential.  When planning out your week, only schedule those activities that are absolutely essential – that you have to do.  Be honest with yourself, if it’s not essential, don’t do it.

Tip 3:  One thing at a time.  Each day decide what is most important to you to accomplish on that day.  Once you’ve accomplished that task you can choose what you’d like to do next.  Facing too many activities every day can bring on overwhelm very quickly and you may be unable to move forward on anything.

Tip 4:  Commitment.  During this holiday season only commit to what you know you’ll get done.  If you answer “I’ll try” when someone asks for something, consider it a red flag that you may be over committing.  Replace your answer with “I will” or “I won’t”.  Committing one way or another will eliminate those nagging “maybes” that only clutter your thoughts.

Tip 5:  Answer fully.  Use this rule when answering email inquiries.  I’ve seen many situations where endless emails could be eliminated if the sender or responder would go a step further.  For example, if you’re asking if someone could meet with you next week, suggest some times and dates for the meeting.  In most circumstances the responder will pick a time and date and the email conversation will end.  Back and forth progressive emails waste both individual’s time.

Tip 6:  Complete tasks.  Sometimes it’s hard to complete a task because of so many interruptions.  When you sit down to do something, close your door if possible.  Take everything off your desk but the task at hand.  Give your entire focus and attention to what you are doing.  Multitasking zaps your energy and doesn’t allow you to do anything well.  Do what needs to be done before going onto the next thing.

Tip 7:  Structure.  You’ve seen this tip before if you’ve been reading my blogs.  Don’t schedule more than 50% of your day.  This leaves room for the interruptions and unforeseen demands on your time.  If you find yourself with plenty of time to do more, go for it.  Scheduling less lends itself to getting more done.  At the very least, you’ll have more energy to face whatever comes next.

What do you do to reduce your stress?  Have you found doing less allows you to get more done?  What has been your experience?  Any tips?  Leave your comments below.

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