Something has to give. At least that’s what’s gnawing at the edges of your mind as you brute force your way through another week. There is a sense of urgency around every task on your to-do list. You’re becoming less patient with other people. You’re becoming impatient with yourself. Self-doubt may start creeping in. Is it you? Is it just that you can’t handle all this?
You start to wonder what sort of major changes you’ll need to make in order to find some sense of balance again. What do you need to give up? What about the life you’ve built needs an overhaul? It’s not quite burnout – you’re just stretched a little more than is comfortable.
Take a deep breath. You’re not the first leader to find herself in this uncomfortable space. In fact, you’re in pretty good company. Here’s the better news: small adaptations to your day-to-day life can improve your general well-being and contentment.
Is everything on your to-do list a real necessity? Is it necessary for you to be the one to complete the task? Take a good look at the things that are taking up your time and delegate where you can. Take an honest evaluation of tasks that end up on the list week after week, year after year.
Are these still pertinent tasks or are they old habits that are dying hard? Is there a more efficient way to do some of these things than the way you’re doing them today? Make changes where you can.
How many cups of coffee does it take before you feel fully human? Maybe it’s not mornings that are an issue. Maybe you’re full of vim and vigor bright and early but you hit an afternoon slump. Maybe you just hit your stride midday and find the first hour and last hour of your workday harder to get through.
Identify your personal rhythm. When do you have the most energy? When is it easiest for you to focus and get stuff done? Plan your day so more involved tasks and meetings are falling into that sweet spot and save your lower energy times for more mundane tasks.
Working longer and harder is not productive. You’re draining your personal battery faster by not carving out time to recharge. Make space to sleep well, eat well, and relax well. Yes, you do have time for that work-out and also to read a few pages of that new novel you’ve been curious about. The constant go-go-go makes you less productive, not more. Prioritize self-care.
It’s helpful to have a plan for your day. Put appointments in your calendar and leave space for things like lunch, clearing your email inbox, and catching up with your co-worker over the last episode of the latest reality television craze.
In other words, just because you have 24 hours in your day doesn’t mean they all have to be allocated with work and responsibilities. (See point 3 above if you need the reminder.)
No, this isn’t about adding another to-do to the overwrought list. You don’t need to pass the white glove test or follow an organizational system. You need to organize your space in a way that best suits the way you work.
Place your files and office supplies where they are most natural for you to access them when you need them. Do your best Goldilocks impression to find the right chair and desk to suit your work style. Make sure the lighting is right. Toss a few of your favorite fidget toys or other gadgets. Make your space a space you are comfortable in without creating distraction and chaos along the way.
Some tasks are just tougher than others. They may challenge us for a variety of reasons. They still need to be done, of course, but getting motivated to jump into the fray is becoming its own challenge. Sound familiar?
Put that task down and start with something you can complete easily in minutes. Get a few simple wins under your belt and then dive into the tougher task. You’ll have momentum on your side.
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