How Do You Handle More Than You Think You Can Handle?
Since I've been back from vacation, it's been a lil bit hectic as far as work is concerned. My lovely Shea is selling the Buck Estate again, the McGuire agents are all on fiiiiiire, and my clients each have a billion ideas. In order to identify investors and hopefully make a sale, there is a private tour event slash lawn party at the Buck Estate tomorrow. So far, we have over twice the number of people we originally planned for RSVP'd. So how do I juggle all of this?
1. COFFEE.
At busy times like this, I often don't get very much sleep. Having a cup or two of coffee helps me to wake up and be alert and present. Now, I know it's not the healthiest thing to rely on caffeine to get me through the day, but it provides so much more than just an energy boost. A sip of coffee provides a mini-break and pure satisfaction so that you're refreshed and can reset your stress level to like a 4 instead of an 11.
Don't overdo it, though. Too much coffee can lead to the caffeine sweats and that issue does not help with feeling put together. Nor do you want to be tooooooo hyped up because, again, you will not feel put together. Also, caffeine is a diuretic and nobody likes being interrupted fifty times a day to run to the bathroom.
2. To-do lists.
To do lists, as I've said before, are a great way to visualize and prioritize your tasks. If you're like me, you'll often forget the smaller tasks like doing laundry or getting groceries when there is a lot of work to be done. Writing down tasks as they are assigned will ensure that this doesn't happen, and yes, that does include providing yourself with clean underwear and a hot meal. These lists are also a great way to prioritize or group tasks together. I like to group my tasks by client and then number the tasks within each mini-list. That way, if I need a break from a certain style of work, I can move on to an equally important task for someone else. For example, today I need to assemble about a hundred tour packages (basically stuffing brochures with smaller historical cards), but I also need to clip lavender for flower arrangements due in the morning. If the assembly task gets just too tedious to bear, I can take a break from it and go get attacked by bees.
Another benefit of to-do lists is that nothing feels better than putting that little check mark next to something you've finished. To survive the busy times, you need to bask in the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing each task. Otherwise it's all work and no reward and your resolve to get everything done will wither.
3. Venting.
Sometimes, looking at a massive to-do list can be daunting before you get started. Or maybe one of your clients or vendors is just working your last nerve. Or maybe you get halfway through a task only to have to start all over because of a tiny mistake. No matter the situation, sometimes you just have to get out all the frustration or resentment or whatever negative feelings you have. If you continue getting stuff done while being a Negative Nancy, it's going to reflect in your work and your interactions.
That is not to say you should have a breakdown in front of a client, coworker, or vendor. If you're going to vent, it's best to talk to someone outside of work. What's the saying, don't sh*t where you eat? Venting to work-related people will give them the impression that you can't handle your workload and BOOM, you just lost clients and therefore money. Keep it together at work, vent at home. Fake it til you make it. Insert other corny motivational phrase.
4. Sucking it up.
After venting, you kind of just have to tell yourself to get it together. Even if there's a lot on your plate, you just have to get it all done. Take one task at a time and really focus on it so you don't get overwhelmed. Even if you're still mopey and tired, suck it up! It's like doing sprint intervals on a treadmill, just push through that last 6 seconds and then you get to cool down. The same goes for a massive to-do list - just push through and you'll be done before you know it.
5. Reward system.
Treat Yo Self. If you have no motivation to get anything done, try rewarding yourself. I usually use food or Netflix as a reward. If I complete a task, I literally give myself a cookie. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times - it's the little victories that need to be rewarded in order to make the big tasks seem manageable.
The reward system also boosts your mood. As I said earlier, negativity will reflect in your work and interactions. If you give yourself a cookie, you get into what I call the Cookie Mood, which is exemplified in the blushing smiley emoji. Your skies are blue and birds are singing and you have a delicious cookie. If you feel better, you'll do better work. It's just science.
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If you have any thoughts or feedback or extra knowledge, share it in the comments. The whole point of this blog is to help each other figure it all out!
