Overwhelmed? Try these.

If you’re feeling like there’s too much on your plate, not enough time to do it, and not enough downtime to make up for all the effort required, you are not alone.

Two A student clients, who always have their coaching homework ready on time and come to every session prepared and excited, both canceled on me today.

Both apologized profusely in their emails saying they needed to get ahead of more of their commitments and didn’t have enough headspace to concentrate on our work together—the important steps to creating more meaningful, expansive lives for themselves.

“It’s not like me to do this,” they each admitted.

If you’re not feeling like yourself either, these will help:

1. Overhaul your to-do list. This oldie but goodie post is worth a re-read if you’re buried by a mile long list without making much headway. It’s also worthwhile if you like to hack your processes once in a while.

2. Revel in what’s working. Another oldie but goodie for you. If you don’t have a Smile File or haven’t contributed to it lately, this is the perfect time to get acquainted. A pick-me-up that’s better than caffeine and the buzz lasts longer.

3. Schedule a date with yourself in two weeks. Hopefully the first two tips will clarify what you really have to accomplish right now and what to-do’s / worries / decisions can be put off. For those, choose a time at least two weeks away where you agree to come back to these if you need to and in the meantime take them out of your mind and off your plate. Which leads me to…

4. Cancel. For my dearest clients, that can even mean postponing your next coaching session. You are the one to give yourself permission to take time, so do it. Reschedule or cancel engagements and block your time for napping, reading or staring out the window. Your to-dos and your mental health will both be better for it, and those of us canceled on will still love you. Promise.

If you start to feel guilty, consider instead that you’re trying something new. Experimenting. Seeing how different schedules, changing commitments, affect your output and energy levels.

In other words, change is useful and that’s all you’re doing. Changing things up.

Pay attention to how you feel as you do these and adjust accordingly, and no matter what Give Yourself Credit for doing your best. You are.

What is helping you reduce overwhelm? Share your thoughts here or email me.

image by Kristin Reimer/Photomuse

How to get ready for 2019

This time of year can feel like you’re straddling between two places at once.

One part of you is scrambling to finish everything, celebrate everything, and see everyone.

Another is already in 2019 worrying that if you don’t do more now, you’ll be behind before the clock has even struck.

I’ve been asked several times this week what you can do to make the most of the new year.

My answer is: Stay In 2018.

You have ELEVEN whole days until January. Think of what that would mean if you were going on vacation (some of you are!) or planning a project. Eleven days would feel like plenty of time. Though there may be traveling, and shifts in your schedule over these next days, it’s still a decent amount of time to solidify positive habits, be present with the people you love, revel in all that has happened this year and still knock a couple things off of your list. A couple.

2019 will be here soon enough. And yes, I’m hosting a call in January (Thursday 1/17 at 1pm with my sparkly fun friend Lara Zielin!). More about that soon, and in the meantime:

The best way to be fully prepared for what’s to come is to be fully here now.

If it’s a challenge, repeat to yourself, “Be here now,” throughout the day. It works.

Wishing you peace, joy, satisfaction and sprinkles-galore!