Taking Time To Make Time!

“I only have two hands!”?

My mother would spout this phrase in exasperation when her husband, five children, and two German shepherd dogs pulled a little too hard on her coattails. She’d readily remind us that there was only one of her and something or somebody was going to have to wait!

Now, that’s some “Mama Wisdom” we can all use. We’ve become accustomed to doing more and even feel guilty when we’re not checking all the “To Do” boxes of multitasking. We compare ourselves to others who seem to be doing it and push ourselves harder. There’s gotta be a better answer, and there is!

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It’s not some new and improved productivity hack or planner software. The biggest thing for many of us will be to acknowledge that we have too much on our plates. Can you buy $50 worth of groceries with $5??You would never consider piling your cart full only to eliminate the majority of it at the checkout when showing up with your $5. That would be embarrassing and a waste of time.

A well-intentioned “To Do List’ is a poor substitute for strategic planning which includes allowing time for the unexpected and time for self-care like eating lunch or taking a quick walk. If you’ve been on this merry-go-round for a while, you will probably need some assistance getting off.?Ask for help. Another person can often provide objective input that you didn’t consider.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re brainstorming on what to prioritize

?What are the consequences if I don’t get this done?

This has helped me tremendously. Often, I made the consequence bigger in my mind, which caused me to make it more of a priority than it needed to be. ?Accurate consequences will help you prioritize correctly. E.g., if I don’t make it to the airport on time, I will miss my flight. That consequence ensures I’m sitting on the plane and not watching it take off without me.

When does this have to be completed, and how long will it take?

Timeframes create non-negotiable measures for getting something done. Consider when the task is due and how long it will take to do it. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to do something that’s due five months down the road but will take every bit of that time to accomplish.

Can I handle this task alone?

Are you struggling with “Superman/Superwoman Syndrome?” We tell ourselves, “We’ve got this.” When the reality is, we need help! Time to put that “Mama Wisdom” to work. There’s only one of you, and you only have two hands. Ask for help when you need it or when it’s offered to you.

Am I the best person for this task, or can it be delegated?

The answer to this question is connected to how you’ve prioritized other things. If you’re already dealing with a high-priority task, a lower-priority task will be better served by delegating it to someone else. ?Be careful, if this is a task that you enjoy doing, you may inadvertently take on more than you can handle. Forego the pleasure of that task this go ‘round so you can give your attention to what falls within your scope of responsibility. (Things you can’t delegate)

When does it make sense to pay someone else to handle a task?

Like you, I love saving a buck when I can; however, I’ve had to learn when it makes sense not to be a Scrooge and pay someone to do something that frees me to do what only I can do or what I enjoy doing most. ?For example, I’m in the process of moving. I prefer to box my belongings and then take the time to unbox them in my new place. However, I will gladly pay someone else to get those boxes on a truck, transported to my new place, and then unloaded.

?I don’t mean to trivialize this very important topic, but I don’t want to make this a complicated answer. That old saying, “Biting more off than you can chew,” has merit here.

It’s time to break the habit of thinking we can do more than we can realistically accomplish and, in doing so, generate consequences we don’t mind living with, like peace of mind and less stress.

“You’ve Got This!”

?Your partner in success,

Edwina?