Too much on your plate?

Let’s face it. Most of us have encountered a time in our lives when we feel completely full, can’t take on another thing, and fear what it will take to get to the other side.

The biggest problem with being overwhelmed isn’t the myriad emails screaming for your attention.  The real issue isn’t the pile of mail or documents that you fear not getting through. Nor is your dilemma the many projects with your name on them that you aren’t sure you can juggle to implementation. The hardest thing about feeling overwhelmed is knowing it, but not having a clear idea of exactly where you are and what you need to do to get to solid ground.

There are some who, in the throes of being inundated, keep just how out of control things feel to themselves. This is the second worst part of being overwhelmed.

The third worst part of being overwhelmed is that, from within it, you are not operating at your most empowered self. And this, my friends, is not where we want to be.

It is never too late to admit to yourself, and others, that you’ve taken on more than makes sense or is healthy. Here are five steps that you can take to move you out from under too much to handle toward a greater sense of peace:

A quick note before we get started – free yourself - don’t waste your energy beating yourself up about having too much on your plate. Don’t think about what you coulda, shoulda, woulda, done. Don’t obsess over what you assume people are thinking. Instead, spend your energy where it matters - on moving forward. Getting to the other side is what counts.

1) Step one is to make, and keep, an appointment with yourself to confront where you are. Honor this time for progress in the direction of getting your arms around what is keeping you up at night. You’ll be tempted to, instead, get right down to your inbox. Trust me. This is an appointment that will be well worth your time. What you need here is time to think and get clear. If you can’t schedule an hour, schedule 15 or 30 minute increments throughout the week.

2) Respect this critical time appointment and spend it getting clear about where you are. What, exactly, is on your plate? Write it out. Create a list of to-dos using your calendar system. Get it down in whichever tool works for you. The important thing is to confront what is swirling around in your head by getting it out of there and into the light of day.

3) Prioritize your list according to what absolutely must get done first. A good place to start is with the few things that are nagging at you the loudest. You know what they are.

4) Work your list and allow others to help you. The goal is to get it done. Focus on that and let go of the need to do it all yourself. Delegate those tasks that you don’t need to accomplish yourself.

5) Step five is really important. Give yourself the time to get caught up. Be realistic about what you can do in a day or in a week. Focus is what will get you to the other side.

My friends, the key to getting through any difficult situation is getting to the truth about the matter so that you can move on. 

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:32

Apply this principle whenever you start to feel like you've taken on more than you can handle.  It is always the key to a better day.

I would be honored to support you toward better work/life balance. Contact me  for a complimentary consultation.

Are You Wearing Yourself Out?

Exodus 18:17-23 (Today's New International Version)

17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

(source: biblegateway.com)

Increase your Effectiveness: Delegate More

Sometimes, we get so caught up in “doing stuff” that we forget to leverage those around us. Our intentions are good; we want to do a good job or put our personal touch on what we are responsible for. We want things done the "right" way. These are all worthy reasons. However, what can you share with someone else today that will help them to grow and stretch while helping you to be more effective?

Jethro, in the scripture above, lays out a three-step plan for Moses’ corporate success. Consider how you might apply the same strategy to an area of your life where you are feeling worn out:

1) Acknowledge and be clear about what you are responsible for. Moses’ goal was to lead by example -  to show the people how to live according to God’s instruction. For you, it may be to manage a function or to align your department’s efforts with the objectives of your Organization. Perhaps you want to run your home more effectively. What, exactly, do you need to accomplish?

2) Find capable people to assist you. Moses needed to understand what he needed in the members of the Team that he was to lead. He needed a team that was trustworthy, capable and honest. What skill-set do you need that will assist you in meeting your goals? Are those the folks that you have lined up against meeting your goals? If not, you owe it to your ability to meet yours or your Organization's objectives to have the appropriate team around you  (please also consider that sometimes you need to rely upon those that you don't have direct accountability to get things done, leverage those folks).

3) Have a clearly defined escalation process. Be clear about what you want from the members of your team and where you would like to be engaged. To what extent are you willing to delegate responsibility to those that are on your team?

Moses had people lined up waiting for his personal assistance from morning to night. I imagine that today he would have emails “lined up” waiting for an answer; projects and initiatives on a long list of to-dos. His phone would be ringing off the hook with people that needed an answer from him.  Folks would be at his office door asking how and when things would be done.  Moses was tired.  I know that some of you are as well.

Jethro swept into town to give Moses a bit of good news and solid, energy-sustaining advise – don’t wear yourself out! Find a new process and strategy for getting the job done, while also sharing your load and lightening your burden. Your energy is a commodity. Spend it wisely. Give  people the gift of learning something from you and then, focus your energy where you are truly needed.

What Would a Successful 2007 Look Like?

The focus this week is on Vision.

For those working within a professional environment, this is a busy time of year. You’ve barely made the transition out of 2006, and you are now in the throes of closing out last year’s residual issues while also getting revved up for what you will engage in during 2007.

For most Organizations, performance appraisals and objectives setting is one of the first items on the agenda for this time of year. The question that I pose to you is what can you do to move yourself closer toward realizing your vision for your whole life during 2007?

The key to realizing your vision is to know, clearly, what yours is. I offer you the following exercise that could get you on well on your way to, not just realizing your vision but, living your life aligned with what you would like for it to be.

First, consider each area of your life. Reflect upon your relationships – the ones that you have, the ones that you would like to have, the ones that are working and the ones that are not. Think about the decisions that you need to make relative to each of those relationships. Do the same with regard to your professional life. Examine your marriage (if you are married, obviously), your role as a parent, the state of your finances, and your relationship with God.

Spend a few minutes thinking about what you want in each of these areas of your life. Really important here – accept and believe that, if you can be clear about what you want, it is possible for you (Matthew 10:51). If that is too much for you to fathom, I ask that you simply trust that it is true.

Now, imagine that it is mid-December 2007. The Christmas holidays are just getting going. The weather has changed. You’re beginning to think of 2008 and what may be in store for you. You worked really hard in 2007, as you always do. What did you accomplish for yourself? What have you let go of? Which relationships have you resolved? Where are you professionally? How have you grown? Where have you changed?

What does your successful 2007 look like? Write it down.

Planning, objectives setting and individual development plans are not just activities that you participate in while working in a corporate environment toward stakeholder goals. Leverage what you know about that corporate activity and determine a plan of action against your personal vision for your life.

Then, once you are clear about your vision, start working toward it. I’d love the opportunity to support you in this extremely important exercise. Contact me and I’ll show you how.