The Tuesday was a busy day for me.  Just back from Labour Day, client programs are ramping up for the fall and kids started back to school.  I was running from one thing to the next all day long.  And yet it felt like I got nothing done.  Have you ever had one of those days?

It happens to ALL of us.  There are certain times in our life when days like this are inevitable:

  • day after returning from vacation
  • Right before a big presentation
  • The day after closing a big deal
  • Right before a big company event
  • During extensive travel

What can we do to create more realistic expectations? dpopdkdsplfk;l,sdmf;svhat can we do to create more realistic expectations on days like these?

  • Be realistic:  Expect that a lot of your time will be absorbed with small tasks surrounding the big event.  Therefore, there won’t be a lot of time available for focused, independent work.  Your mind will also be racing which isn’t conducive to concentrated work on another project.    
  • Plan in advance: Realize that you likely won’t have a lot of quiet time available to work on days like this.  Don’t count on these days when you plan out your big projects.
  • Schedule Time: If you absolutely must work on a project, block off that time and consider stepping away from the hub of interruptions.  Close your office door (or better yet, find a quiet meeting room), turn off your email and send your calls to voicemail.  Also, keep you calendar clear as much as possible.
  • Plan your day: Make a list of your critical tasks and work through that list systematically. Try to limit getting side-tracked with new emails, phone calls, etc.  

    • It’s all about getting back to basics: planning your priorities, scheduling your time and setting realistic expectations.  We can all use reminders of these basic principles.  That includes me – especially after a day like Tuesday.