How to Deal With “Busy”
I’ve heard it said that if you need to get something done, ask a busy person to do it for you. They’re busy because they know how to get things done.
Well, I’m usually busy, but that doesn’t mean that I’m always on top of things. Often times, I struggle with the things I need to get done—not knowing what to do first.
Toward the end of the school year, it was my turn to supply teacher treats at school. It wasn’t on the top of my to-do list, so I forgot. But I did remember the important things—I picked up the kids from school and returned a customer’s phone call. I get credit for that, right?
We all get busy and forgetful; it’s a matter of finding strategies that work for us to get things done. Here are just a few ideas that I’ve used.
Take down-time
If you’re fighting the overwhelm, take a time out for yourself. This might seem counter-productive, but walking away for a few minutes or an hour will help you put things in perspective. Work out, take a nap, play a game with one of your kids. Anything to take your mind off your stress for a bit.
Say no – Yes, it’s okay
We all want to help others, and sometimes we forget that it’s okay to use the word “no.” You’re not doing yourself (or your spouse, children, friends, coworkers, boss) any favors by taking on more than you can handle. It’s okay to say no, or to put something off that’s not urgent.
Prioritize
Easier said than done, right? If you’re going to get anything done, you have to know what’s most important to you. If you value exercise, find a way to make it a priority by getting up an hour earlier than normal. Or exercise with your family or friends so you can do two things at once! You’ll cross the important things off your list so you can focus on the tasks you might put off otherwise.
Hire it out
We have so many responsibilities that it’s no wonder we hire someone to do things for us. Taxes and yard work are just a two things that have to be done but I don’t want to spend my time doing them. And I’m not even that good at them! So I hire someone I trust to take care of these tasks for me.
We’re all busy. But that doesn’t mean we have to be stressed out dealing with the regular day-to-day tasks of life. What are some of your go-to strategies for tackling a busy lifestyle?
