When life gets busy, we can suddenly find ourselves running our lives in defense mode.
We are going to the meetings, completing deliverables, getting the kids to events, making meals, and all the other things. These are the times that we feel like we are on defense and running to catch up with our life.
My Story – Start with a Plan
When my life gets overwhelming, I tend to follow the words of Dale Carnegie.
“An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing.”
During the times that stress is high, and I feel overwhelmed, I know the best thing I can do is retreat to a quiet space and start with a list. I write down everything that needs to be done in all facets of my life. Once the list is there, I work to group activities that are similar.
After the list, I tackle the calendar looking for what can be removed or moved to create a bit of space in the day – both at home and at work. Then, the things to be done can be slotted into the space discovered.
While I don’t know if my hour saves 10 hours of doing, I do know that I feel more in control of the things that need to be done and in more of an offensive position.
Your Turn
Do you sometimes feel like your life is running on defense instead of offense?
What do you do in times of overwhelm to get things back on track?
Have you tried stopping and taking some time to plan? Does this work for you?