What was the first thing you did this morning when you work up? Let me guess. You rolled over and checked your mobile device?
So many of us start the day on the wrong foot, or is it side? Before we have even had the chance to wake up, we are getting lost in a stream of information on our mobile devices. And the day just goes downhill from there.
It is time that you take back control of your life, and consciously start your day in a way that will create sanity.
When you wake up, become aware of your surroundings and take a few deep breaths. Maybe even lie there and make a mental note of what you are grateful for in your life. It doesn’t have to be a long list. But it is important so that you can remind yourself that life is not all about work and stress.
The next area you need to focus on is organising your days so that they synchronise with you and your particular working style. Take advantage of your body’s natural rhythms. If you are creative in the mornings, then use that time to focus on complex tasks and assign the more mundane work to the afternoon. The reverse obviously applies as well.
Allow sufficient time for important meetings, and do not cram them into your schedule. If you do squash meetings in, you will find that you don’t allocate the appropriate time and attention to those matters that really count.
Learn to say no to participating in every single forum or meeting. Only agree to those where you can learn something or teach someone else; those that will give real benefit to all participants.
When you find that you are stuck at your desk for long periods of time, make it a habit to get up, stretch and take a brisk walk down the passage and back. This will not alleviate any physical symptoms of sitting for too long, it will also increase your energy levels.
And perhaps the most important thing, don’t allow your mobile device or your landline telephone to interrupt an important task. It highly unlikely that all texts and calls are life threateningly important!