Taking Charge of Your Life

Ever feel like you are constantly on the go with no time to relax?  Most of us do, we all have full lives with work, families, the house, the garden.  We love most of what we do, but sometimes it is all too much, we become stressed trying to "do it all".  I came across a Mayo Clinic article on Time Management that addresses this issue and provides tips for reducing stress and improving productivity.  The article provides a list of strategies and they suggest picking one and trying it for two to four weeks to see if it helps, then adding another. 

The list includes a couple things I already do, such as, plan each day.  This includes making a to-do list and keeping a schedule.  I live by my calendar at work and my refrigerator door holds reminder notes and lists.  Another one on the list that I try to practice is prioritize your tasks.  Putting those items that have to be done at the top of the list, even numbering the list if I have to.

Of course the list includes several things I don't do well.  Say no to nonessential tasks.  This I need to learn to do.  When asked if I will take on another task I need to practice saying, "I will think about it and get back to you".  Then consider my schedule before agreeing to additional work.  Another on the list that I should try is delegate.  This I need to do, as I have taken on more responsibility at work, I haven't delegated some of the tasks that could be passed on to someone else, this needs to change.

And one I have tried to practice with varying degrees of success, get plenty of sleep, have a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

There are many more excellent suggestions in the article, so if you are like me and feeling the stress of a busy life, read the article and chose one strategy to work on for the next couple of weeks.  I will be working on delegating.