A Little Stress in my Life

Do you ever have days when you feels like it’s "just too much"? Well I have been having a lot of those days lately. And when I feel overwhelmed it seems like I can’t get anything done. When I shared my feelings with a trusted friend, he reminded me that I used to manage my schedule with more ease and he questioned what had changed or what I was doing differently. Later, when I had a chance to think about his question, it hit me. I had stopped doing something that had been working for me in the past.
 
I don’t know exactly when I got out of the habit; I suppose it was while I was going through some changes the last few months. Well, I finally got back into my old routine and it’s been working so well (again) that I thought I would share it. 
 
First of all I take one day off each week, usually Sundays. On that day, I sit down and figure out my "to do’s" for the coming week. Then I prioritize all I need to get done. For me, talking to new clients goes near the top of the priority list; going to the grocery store a little lower. My next step is probably the most important one. I actually block out time on my calendar to make sure I make the time to get things done. I only book about 80% of my day, leaving room for adjustments. Lastly, each night I review the next day’s schedule to see if I need to make any adjustments. You know I might have booked a consultation with a new client that day and need to follow up right away. Or an unplanned family or personal issue might require my attention so I’ll move things around to accommodate. But by the time I go to bed I already know what to expect and what’s expected of me that next day. 
 
When I follow my plan, my days go much, much smoother. So, if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, you might want to give this or a similar plan a try. What do you have to loose but a little stress!

-- Stephanie Ann Bivona
Wishing you peace, love and joy in your life:)