Keep it simple
I recently asked a group of colleagues how they are feeling at the beginning of 2022 and about 2022. One responded that they are “…tired, believe it or not”. I believe it of course.
A couple years ago (pre-covid) I started off the year completely frazzled. I had hosted several events at my home over the Christmas holidays through to Boxing Day – ranging in size from small and cozy to a large gathering. I had also continued working right through up to Christmas, never missing a beat. After the dust had settled, I just could NOT switch off! Tired is an understatement of how I felt in January of that year. So, I believe it.
My colleague and I are not alone. For me it was Christmas activities combined with home and work responsibilities and very limited sleep. For others it may be caring for sick loved ones. For others it may be having to burn the midnight oil working in order to make ends meet.
Whatever may be the cause, too many of us start the year, month, week, day perpetually tired!!! Some of us even wear it like a badge, and when asked how we are, proudly declare “tyaad!” or “stressed!”
I am learning how to FLIP that script - to accept my limitations, pace myself, say no to some of the things I want to say yes to, and KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Your reset for this weekend is to KEEP IT SIMPLE!!! Here are 3 tips (I’m keeping it simple):
DON’T multitask!!! Focus, focus, focus. Focus on one thing at a time. Contrary to popular belief multitasking is NOT a good thing. Ever put a bucket to fill with water and then gone into the kitchen to put on a pot and stumble on the overflowing bucket several hours later? How about a pot burnt black beyond recognition because you were multi-tasking and you realize your home was saved from burning down only by the grace of God?
Evidence is now showing that you are actually less productive when multitasking, so unfortunately, we do not get to pride ourselves on being “good at multitasking” anymore. Take it off your resume while you’re at it. It will be your demise.
Instead, schedule your tasks into one-hour blocks of time, set a timer and complete your hour. Take a short break, then move on to the next one-hour block of time. Keep your commitments to yourself by honoring your schedule. Remember to schedule time for the unexpected. Keep it simple.
Add NO to your vocabulary. Stop saying YES to every request!!! I know you are a kind person, and I want you to be your authentic yourself. How about being kind to yourself as well? Saying yes to things that put you under undue pressure is not being kind. In fact, if you keep that up there will come a time when you will not be able to do anything for anyone. Believe me, I know the hard way – 6 weeks of sick leave due to burnout.
If your circumstances change, adjust your commitments accordingly. Do not try to keep doing everything you have always done and keep adding.
To get you started - learn to say “let me get back to you” giving yourself space so you would not feel pressured. Then practice saying “I would love to but I can’t” OR “I feel honored that you thought of asking me, however I have to decline because I have another commitment”. You do not have to give any further explanation. You have a commitment to yourself and your family to preserve your health. Keep it simple.
Take breaks. Simple? Hmmmmmm. Take breaks at least every hour from your desk, or work of whatever nature. Take a brief walk, go outside for fresh air and sunshine (some don’t have that option), get up and do some stretches, do something fun. Take a short nap.
Don’t work continuously for hours. Now that we are working from home, it is even more important to SET BOUNDARIES and have a clear break between work time and you time. Stop burning your candle on both ends and get enough sleep at nights. Simple? Hmmmm.
Use your weekends to get a break from work … of all kinds. Plan light, fun activities – games, picnics, nature walks. Sleep in very late. It used to be that on weekends we would get up later. Not anymore. Some of us get even more busy on weekends and never slow down, and never get more sleep.
Take your vacations. Schedule it NOW. Do not believe you are indispensable. I was not when I suffered from burn out. I am not now. You are not. You are not a machine. Your body needs breaks so please take them. Keep it simple.
Weekend reset tip:
Your weekend reset tip is to keep it simple.
To help you make your goals a reality, consider my 90-Day Recharge and Reset Online course. Not only will you get clear on your goals, but you will also be provided with tools and resources to help you take the necessary action to achieve them and more, and to enjoy your best year and life ever!!!
Learn here how the Recharge and Reset course could be just what you need to STOP having failed resolutions and instead START achieving BIG goals in 2022 and beyond.
Sharon Carruthers, the author of the ‘Weekend Reset’ blog is a child of God, wife, mother of 3, a Human Resource Management and Development Consultant, and owner of the firm, ‘Bold Consulting’. She is sharing from her own experiences for women who are holding back, or living on autopilot; who believe their identities are in others and, or in what they do; or who neglect themselves while sacrificially taking care of others. She hopes that together Christian women can embrace the future with the beautiful hope of transformation one step at a time.