“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.” — William James
Have you ever had those days where you just know you have way too much to do? In fact, there are literally so many things to do that you have to figure out where to turn your attention first.
I really need to finish that project, return all those e-mails, and start that other assignment I was supposed to do last week. I also need to get to the grocery store, pick up the dry cleaning, and do laundry.
You’re running into challenges left and right. Things are taking longer than you thought. You know that you really need to get everything done and you also know that you’re already behind schedule.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Well, if it does – know that you’re not alone. I know exactly how you feel because I have been there. In fact, I am there right now. I am totally in the heat of finishing this next book and my course.
I can see the finish line, but I know there are still steps (and plenty of them) I need to take.
In the past, I would have started feeling the pressure and panicking. I would have allowed myself to get all worked up and focus on how much more I still had to do. You know that great quote – “Focus on how far you‘ve come, not how far you have to go.” — well, I would have done the exact opposite.
But, you live and learn — right?
I finally realized that freaking out never got me anywhere and it most certainly didn’t help me do everything that still needed to be done. In fact, it made me even less productive.
So, now I have a new approach and I am totally recommending it because I am literally living through this experience right now and it’s working.
If you are also at a point where you have way too much to do, I really want you to join me and try this out.
It’s All About Today
No matter what we have going on, the most important thing we ever can do is find our way to enjoying today and the moment right in front of us. We need that enjoyment to flow into every single thing we are doing – that’s how we create our best work and that’s how we feel at our best. There are actually specific things (described below in the Possibility of Today Section) we can and should do to make sure that happens.
Keep Moving Forward
And, the other very important thing to remind yourself of is another great quote -
“The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
You’ve got to keep this top of mind and keep pushing forward. You’re almost there. You have come this far and what you want is right around the corner. This is the time that most people give up. This is the time when people let the doubts take control. But, not you – not us.
Let’s do it differently.
The Possibility of Today
1. Keep that Chief Negativity Officer in your mind on ‘radio silence’. If your mind tries to convince you that you’re not moving quickly enough, or that you’re too tired and can’t go on, let those thoughts rise to the surface, but then remind yourself of the truth. You absolutely can do this – in fact, you’re already doing it. Remind yourself how far you’ve already come.
2. Inject Yourself with a Passion Boost. Every morning before you get into your work, remind yourself of all the reasons you want to successfully complete whatever it is you’re working on. Reflect on how great it’s going to feel when you finally finish.
3. Integrate 3 “Time Ins” into Your day. Take 3 “Time Ins” – one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening until you complete your work. What’s a “Time In”? It’s when you take 5-10 minutes and just relax, refresh, recharge. You do something you love doing that gets your energy flowing (i.e. go on a walk, read, or just enjoy silence). This will really increase your productivity and allow you to feel great as you move through the day.
4. Get Organized. Put together a plan for how you will complete everything and then of course you’ve got to actually do it. You should write everything down and plan out the times when you can accomplish things. Writing it down is imperative because it clears your mind and allows you to see a clear path and how you will tackle everything.
I really enjoyed this article and can empathise totally with you. It was very interesting to know how to handle this as I also am guilty. Thank you for your advice. I will try to put into action.
So glad you liked the article Patricia:) I really appreciate you taking the time to drop by and comment.
Sonnet To Passion
How much time do I need for passion?
What amount of gain written then lost?
Jubilant spring vanished to frost.
If one could in capsule reason.
To be at once in all four seasons.
Like the beating of barren rock a year tossed.
Marrying the days for lustful possession.
I would lick the early chill wind still.
Sun rise to blister your last whisper is mine.
Immersed my youthful river’s swift thrill.
Graced by blades racked green to endless lines.
Impressions sliced into white lead off to reveal
Myself alone as passion re-lives a year of time.
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“We need that enjoyment to flow into every single thing we are doing – that’s how we create our best work and that’s how we feel at our best.”
Sibyl, sometimes the thought of…or…the *enjoyment* of a moment and place like Varykino can be the inspiration to settle one’s ‘Time Limitations’ into the flow of relaxed creativity…we can be this way. Our perception of time can be so limiting to our abilities.
http://youtu.be/a865TeKLJBE
Thanks! Don’t rush as passion does not need to be hurried…
Passion does not need to be hurried. I love that quote and wisdom. Thanks for sharing it here Rand. Words to live by:)
Sometimes when there’s so much to do it’s important to get going. Getting a few important and quick tasks done early can give us some momentum and also clear some space for bigger items we need to tackle.
So true Peter:) Getting going and having momentum behind you really can help. Thanks for sharing your wisdom here and thanks for dropping by. Always appreciated.
I sooooo needed this! Thank you!
Perfect:) So glad it came to you at the perfect time. Thanks Angela for dropping by and taking the time to let me know.
Great post Sibyl! I love the Oprah’s quote! Really inspiring!!!
Hey Roman –
So glad. How have you been? It’s been a while – I need to drop by your site too:) Thanks so much for the comment and taking the time to drop by and say hello:)
“Live and learn” — that’s my favorite motto. But my biggest lament is “Too much to do and too little time to do it all!” So this is a timely article. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring post here, Sibyl! Life is all about figuring out what went wrong, learning the lesson, applying it, and moving on. I once heard it said that success comes disguised looking a lot like work, which is why so few people become all that successful.
I really like the concept of “time-ins”. I think I’ll go have a “time-in” with my wife!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Ken: How have you been? Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it and am so glad you like the idea of Time Ins – Enjoy:)
Nicely stated, especially the “time in’s” part. I think I get myself bogged down because I try to remember it all, then wonder why I’m not as productive. I do plan here and there but not every day; I probably need to try to stick to that.
Hey Mitch: So glad you liked the articles and the suggestions. Trying to remember it all is definitely an easy trap to fall into. I know I did. Try some Time Ins for just a week – totally life changing:)
Another great article and helping tool for life. I am just what you described in your article. I try to do everything I have to do in just a short time and I end up overwhelming myself. I’m so thankful for your tips on how to alleviate the stressful things in life that are just the small stuff that we sweat over. I intend to enjoy my life and enjoy it to the fullest, taking one step at a time and never looking back.
Arlene: Thanks for the comment and stopping by. I am so glad that you found information in the article helpful. It really is so true that it’s easy to fall into the trap of our busy life. I think though when we have tools and strategies, we can be equipped to deal with anything that comes our way and never get too overwhelmed. Thanks again for the comment.