I just returned from a week away with the family. I’m sure you’ll agree that it is refreshing to get away, reflect and gain more perspective. When we’re caught up in work mode, it’s easy to get overcommitted, overextended and overworked.
As much as I hate claiming to be busy (because it just feels so powerless), I’ll admit I was 
feeling just that. The vacation was a good wake-up call. After all, ultimately we are the ones who decide whether to allow ourselves to get overextended.
We find ourselves itching to scale back when we are sacrificing too many important things. When family time, downtime, exercise and sleep fall by the wayside – and we are still facing a mountain of work – we know it is time to reign things in.
Most people simply throw more time at the problem. This used to be my approach. I simply worked longer hours to catch up. But pretty soon, we run out of time and start to get burned out.
Thankfully, there are three other solutions when we find ourselves in this predicament:
- Scale back: Can you renegotiate some deadlines? Defer some projects? Reduce the scope? Personally, I will be leveraging Warren Buffet’s two-list advice going forward. I’m committed to focusing on two priorities at a time – and deferring all others. And while I wish everything on the list was done yesterday, I know that focusing on a few top projects is a faster, more effective way to get through my list.
- Recruit help: There are people you can turn to for help (even if they are not as skilled as you). Consider your team members, mentors, manager, clients, vendors, friends, etc. Anything that can be done by someone else, should be. Don’t try to be a hero here and let go of perfectionism. Leverage their support and get yourself through the busy period.
- Get more efficient: Are you using all of the productivity principles that can streamline your day? Are you focusing on one task at a time, which trumps multi-tasking everytime? Are you planning your day and blocking time for your work? Are you limiting your meeting time? Are you using the Touch it Once principle? Are you organized? Are you eating your frogs? Are you getting enough rest and exercise? Make sure you are taking advantage of all of these productivity boosters.
As a keen “I want to do it all” kind of gal, I’ll admit that this isn’t easy to do these things. However, with some renewed vigor, I plan to maintain this vacation glow going forward. Because the payoff is worth it. After all, a balanced life is exactly the kind that I want to live.
What are you scaling back on to free up more space in your life?
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