For many of us, life gets stressful pretty often. Whether you are studying or working, juggling family, friends or children, or just feel you are spinning too many plates, there can come a time when everything seems overwhelming, and there simply are not enough hours in the day. To help you see the light, we have put together some tips to help you stay sane and on top of the situation when life gets stressful. Rather than pull an all-nighter or be tempted to buy caffeine powder to power through, we have some useful ways to get you back in control. Take a deep breath, read on, and get productive!
Make A List
Perhaps the easiest place to start when you have too many tasks and not enough time is list making. This action helps you to identify everything that has to be completed visually. Include tasks which you don’t think are a priority, such as doing laundry or taking out the trash. These items have to fit in somewhere, so it is essential that they are laid out in front of you. No matter how small or insignificant, include it in your list.
Prioritize
Once you have your list of essentials, it is time to prioritize. It can be helpful to color-code this step, to give you a clear and instant overview of what is urgent and what can wait. Choose red for the must-do, cant-wait tasks, amber for those which can be delegated, and green for those that can afford to wait until another day.
Multitask
Another way of organizing your list is to consider the items which can be completed quickly, or which can run concurrently. For example, if you have to mail a letter or do a bit of laundry, aim to get these out of the way first. Being able to tick small tasks off your list will help you to remain motivated and feel as though you have achieved something. Multitasking is also about working smarter, not harder. By planning your tasks carefully, you can save yourself time and get more done faster. For example, you can put a load of laundry on, and vacuum the floor while it is washing. You can clean the floor, and answer emails while it is drying. By figuring out which tasks can be taking place at the same time, you are making the best use of each minute.
Relinquish Control
Consider whether there are items on your list which can be delegated, and be prepared to loosen your grip. If your partner is walking past the store on their way home, they can pick up groceries or dry cleaning, leaving you free for other activities. Try to create automatic systems where possible. Can you arrange for your bills to be paid online automatically, or for transfers between accounts to take place at a predetermined and scheduled time? By allocating tasks, you will find yourself with more free space in your schedule, and this will help to reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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