Tips for When Things Get Really Busy

It’s been one of those weeks. You have deadlines, the kids have school projects and a bonus opportunity that you simply can’t pass up has been dropped in your lap. All of that on top of your regular, expected deadlines. How do you handle life when it gets super-ultra busy?

While it is normal to feel overwhelmed and want to stay in bed and pull the covers up over your head that won’t get you where you want your business to go. So how DO you handle a schedule that’s out of control?

1. Write out everything that needs to be done along with a deadline date. This helps you get the most important or soonest due projects on the table first. This also gives you brain an opportunity to slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time. Now you can focus on, and put your energy on a project that needs to be done quickly while letting the others sit for a bit. The other thing about making a list is that you can work on the really important projects while not worrying that you might forget one of the other things that needs to be done.

2. Outsource. Can you outsource part of your list to a helper? If you work from  home maybe you can hire someone to entertain the little people while you work or to do some of the housework so you can focus on the work that pays the bills. Other ways to outsource some of your work may be to have printing jobs taken care of at a printer or office center. You may also be able to hire a teen to help a few hours a week to take care of shipping or other odd tasks.

3. What items on your list can you simply chuck out the window? Is it really important? Will it pay the bills? Why is it on your list? It may be that one or two things on the list can be chucked leaving you more time to work on the items that are truly important.

4. Focus. Look at the items on your list and break them down. What steps will be needed to complete them and how long will it take? What day or portion of the day can you dedicate to working on them? Keep working on your list and  breaking down the projects into bite sized pieces so that 1) it doesn’t seem so overwhelming and 2) so that  you have a plan of attack and a way to focus your energy.

5. Call in reinforcements. Can your partner handle dinner for  a couple of nights while you work later? Can your mother stop in for a couple of hours a couple of days this week to give you a hand? It may be time to look around at the family and friends you have in your life and see which ones might be able to step up to the plate and give some support. After all, they will be the ones benefiting from some of your hard work.

6. Take time to play. Don’t let the list become all consuming. Be sure to have some down time to re-charge your batteries so that you have the energy to keep on keepin’ on.

Just remember that nothing is permanent and this hectic schedule won’t, in all likelihood, take over  your life for very long. Muscle through, get help where you can, focus and push through. You might be amazed at what you learn about yourself and it may just give your business the boost it needs to achieve the next level.

How have you gotten through super busy times in your life in the past?

By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess

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