“Sure thing, boss! I’ll get that for you right away!”
How many times have you said something similar to this at work? Normally taking on a couple extra projects isn’t a problem, but when you pair that with evening plans with friends, a sick child or a family crisis, sometimes the burden of everything at once can be too much and you just crash. I understand that no one likes to let down their boss or coworkers and, in these uncertain times, you might even feel pressure to push yourself past the brink, but at some point, you just have to stop before you lose it all. What are some of the ways you can step back and regain control of your life when multi-tasking has taken over?
Accept that life happens. You know what? Chaos is going to happen and that’s OK. When it hits you and/or your family, it’s OK to admit that you need to take a step back from a couple things. Maybe you hand one of your projects over to someone else. Maybe you cancel your plans for the evening. Don’t feel guilty for taking something off your plate.
Hire a sitter or assistant. If you have to work more hours, but still have family affairs to take care of, hire a babysitter to watch your children or find a temporary assistant to run errands for you. It might be a one or two time payment, but if it will take some of the pressure off you, it’s well worth the money.
Ask for help. Here’s something novel. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, simply ask for help. Whether you need your partner to help you with your children or you need a coworker to put in a few extra hours on a project, it’s alright to ask for help.
Drop one “thing.” That plate of yours look fuller than a growing teen’s plate on Thanksgiving, which might be OK for one special day, but is not acceptable in the long haul. When you feel your place getting full, maybe it’s time to take one item off your plate and put it back on the table for someone else.
Because women are looking for a deeper understanding of how they can become influential, I developed a 3-part mini-series where I will share the true meaning of influence, where it starts, what women do naturally, and how they can own their influence. This 3-part mini-series, “Designed For Influence”, is where women will find the 3 most powerful tools to bring forth their influence – in any situation. I am inviting you to get your seat before the room fills up - space is limited. It all begins January 2012 so start your New Year off on a serious note – make yourself a priority!
