There seems to be an epidemic of time management “overwhelm” going on in our world. When I say “overwhelm” I mean the feeling that there is too much to do and not enough time in which to do it all. Are you finding yourself caught up in the “overwhelm” epidemic?
Do you feel you are managing your time or allowing time to manage you?
Overwhelm can be both a physical and an emotional state of time management. Physically there can actually be too much to do and not enough time to get it all done – after all, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. And then, there’s the emotional overwhelm that begins when you’re feeling that there is not enough time to get everything finished on time.
Let me ask you this:
1. Are you being realistic with your time or do you have a tendency to schedule too many activities into an unrealistic period of time?
2. Are you easily distracted by less important tasks, people or things and before you know it, time is gone?
3. Do you prioritize your day so that you can keep the important things important? I’ll take it one step farther, do you know what are the most important things of your day?
Time management overwhelm begins as soon as you begin feeling that there isn’t enough time to get everything done.
The first step is to gain back control of your time. You can begin gaining more control by scrutinizing the day-to-day choices you’re making.
· Is time valuable to you or is it something that you’re allowing others to control?
· Are you making wise time management choices?
· Are you allowing others to physically and/or emotionally control your time?
You’ll begin feeling less overwhelmed as you begin feeling more in control of your choices.
Let’s look at real-world example: You have a major project due. You are feeling overwhelmed with the day-to-day things that normally need to be done plus the added pressure of finishing the major project. The first thing to do is to emotionally and physically step back and make some wise choices. Here are a few examples of wise choices: You can delegate some of the day-to-day tasks. You can break down the major project into bite-sized pieces and complete one small piece at a time. You can say “no” to any additional time consuming tasks. You can ask for help.
Can you see by this example how your time management choices begin with you?
I’m reminded of this quotation from Rudyard Kipling: "The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
If you’re asking yourself what this quotation has to do with time management “overwhelm,” then it is time to look at how you are managing your time. I don’t mean to sound harsh or insensitive, but basic time management begins with the value you are placing on yourself. Time is either something you control or you are allowing others to control for you. Overwhelm is created when you’ve lost the emotional or physical ability to choose the best use of your time.
We can’t always control what happens in our life. We can’t always control the twenty-four hours in our day. We can though, choose how we handle and react to what is happening in life. I’ll ask you this again, are you managing your time or allowing others to manage time for you?
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Sharon Recommends
Here is an offsite link to Amazon.com - I'd like to recommend one of my favorite "time management" books “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy – it's short, sweet, to the point and filled with practical suggestions: Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
I'd also like to recommend my Kindle ebook How To Keep Yourself and Your Business On Track. The empowered woman's guide to staying focused on your money making goals. Here's a direct link: How To Keep Yourself and Your Business On Track (Women Empowering Women)
I've purchased this book for myself and my opinions are solely mine. I am also an affiliate of Amazon.com and if you purchase this book through this link, I will earn a commission.
