Eight tips for when there is too much to do

Ever had days when you have had more than you can possibly do that you have to do?  Of course you have! Too many days like that and it’s a stress. Too much stress for too long leads to physical illness.

How do you do get everything that has to be done done and still enjoy your day and keep a healthy rhythm?

In some ways that’s a question with very different answers, but what are the universals?

If, like me, you are a ‘solopreneur’ working from home you have to put effort into creating a rhythm that works for you and if you are in a salaried role you have to make your life work within and around an imposed rhythm. if you don’t have a good rhythm it’s hard on your body and harder to keep track of everything you want to do. I’m getting better at keeping a rhythm, but there have been times when I’ve had too many plates spinning in my business and of course also had plates spinning in my life and I’ve lost the rhythm. Notes to self on scraps of paper lost under other papers, rushing to get to a meeting in too little time, eating the wrong stuff because it was quick, saying yes to a project without checking how it would affect other activities… familiar?

Here are eight things I have to insist on for myself. Any use?

• Give yourself a few minutes first thing to remember your priorities for the day, and list them.
• If the list is completely impossible write M (for manyana;-) beside some and see how it goes.
• Keep to a healthy rhythm of eating and drinking. For me this includes fresh wheat grass juice twice a day. It has a huge number of benefits but the helpful one in this context is how much energy it gives me. I know no better remedy for the four o’clock slump.
• Let the day breathe. For example, alternate physical tasks such as cleaning/gardening/walking to the shops(walking I said, i.e. exercise) with sitting in front of a computer. Alternate social times and times alone to collect your thoughts. Alternate fast paced and  slower tasks.
• Use an over timer to do blocks of one thing and something else, perhaps half hour blocks.
• When you eat, follow with at least ten minutes of seated activity for digestion.
• If you are up at dawn with the early birds and also stay up late with the owls, have a siesta.
• Make yourself accountable to someone. Tell them your tasks and contact them when you’ve done.  If you don’t contact them when you said you would they remind you. Try it – it works!