Overwhelmed, Now What?
1000 unread emails.
Non-stop meeting marathons.
People hunting you down for unexpected input and work.
No progress made on those strategic initiatives and plans you’ve been wanting to work through.
Now what?!?
Breathe, get organized and focus on plowing through your list of to dos with these simple tips to incorporate into your day to day routine.
1. Block time on your calendar to get things done, not take meetings or interruptions
Too many of us have ADD/ADHD and let email, calls and other water cooler talk get in our way. Block time on your calendar to close the office door and focus on getting caught up.
2. Find one time during the day to respond to emails
Are you a morning email junkie or end of day? Get your fix once a day versus 480 (that’s for those of you that check your email every minute of the day)
3. Start with your goals for the day
Do you know what you have to get done no matter what to feel like you accomplished something? Make sure you have that list next to you so you can make progress through your to do list throughout the day. Also look to delegate tasks to others so you can focus on the more strategic parts of the job your direct reports are not involved in.
You’re not alone with a pile up in the office - everyone is under it. Those that can stay calm, cool and collected will be ahead of the rat race in the office - don’t you want to be one of them?
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Save time accessing your files with Folder View
Wow, what a time saver! I recently discovered and implemented a great application Folder View. It is a windows only download that once installed adds a toolbar to your windows explorer window. This new toolbar can then be configured to hold any frequently used folder and you can access the folders in the toolbar and that folder’s sub-folder with a single click! (see screen shots below)
New Toolbar with frequently accessed folders Continue Reading “Save time accessing your files with Folder View”
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Unplugging to Recharge your Batteries
Whew! Unplugging…and I mean really unplugging as in no computer, no phone calls, no email, no projects, no meetings…is an uplifting and liberating experience and a great way to recharge your personal batteries.
Over this Memorial Day Weekend I completely and totally unplugged I was able shut down the “digital me” and do some of the real world things that I have been meaning to get to and also do some of the things that I have wanted to do including some long put off errands, I visited parts of New York City that I have wanted to visit like China Town, and Little Italy and even Soho. I took in a movie, I picnicked in Central Park and watched the Sunset in Riverside Park…and more…and I had a great weekend…and guess what? The world did not stop, everything worked as it should, and my monitoring and overseeing was not necessary…I am not even sure if anyone missed me. Huh, who knew?
Unplugging was hard at first…I kept thinking about all of the “very important messages that I must have…oh yea and the work related emails that I had to send (even though there was no one working), the coding that I could get done and the planning…my mind was heavy with worry for the first half a day…and then all was forgotten… and the days were mine.
The Results
When I returned on Tuesday, and although I was only out for three days, I was fully recharged. I felt refreshed and invigorated…I was ready for a full plate and for trouble shooting and for my correspondence…my productivity level soared and my focus was laser like…I got more done on Tuesday and Wednesday and the tasks were easier because I was renewed and my batteries were recharged.
Unplugging to Recharge Tips
- When unplugging, remember, you are the priority now…do the things that you want to do.
- Shut off all electronic devises or only take the calls that will further the goal of unplugging…let the rest go to voicemail, hide the computer if necessary, put down that PDA.
- If you create an unplugging schedule allow for some flexibility….allow yourself to get caught up in your interests.
- Start with things that will help you unwind…relaxing things like walks, yoga, biking, hiking.
- If you take a walk, meander a bit. If you hike, make sure you look around and check out the views, etc.
Unplugging to recharge your batteries doesn’t require a three day weekend. You can unplug for a day, an evening or an afternoon, or even for an hour…but in that time frame, focus on you and some things that you want to do not thing you need to get done. You will return to your work routine relaxed, refreshed, better focused and ready to take on the tasks at hand.
How you unplug to recharge your batteries?
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