Does your to-do list feel more like a guilt-list?
Are you so overwhelmed by all the things you should be doing that you feel like you never get anything of real value accomplished?
You may be suffering from Female-itis!
As women, we are programmed to handle many commitments and responsibilities at the same time. However, this juggling act can cause us to lose track of what is important and become overwhelmed.
As a small business owner with a home office, it is a daily struggle to determine what I should do. Then my female-itis kicks in and I start beating myself up about how I should be more organized or more efficient. I dwell on the things I can’t seem to get done or the things that I somehow think I should be able to accomplish but can’t find the motivation or energy to complete. I spend far more time thinking and worrying about what I’m not getting done, rather than focusing on what is possible, or actually enjoying the completion of a task. This kind of stress isn’t healthy or productive.
So how do you fight the female-itis? You do it 15-minutes at a time! The 15-minute gift came to me from international productivity expert Neen James… and what a gift it is! She recommends managing your day in 15-minute chunks. It seems so simple – but it works so well! I set the timer on my iPhone, choose a task, and set to work. I am focused on just that task. If the phone rings, I don’t answer it. If my e-mail dings, I ignore it. It is amazing what you can accomplish in just 15-minutes. You may not finish a large project, but you’ll create momentum. Doing something you dread (such as bookkeeping) for just 15 minutes doesn’t seem so terrible.
Think of what you could accomplish – not just for work, but for yourself:
- take a walk
- eat something healthy
- read a book and relax
- call a friend
- so many things to care for yourself are possible in 15 minutes.
Along with managing your day in 15-minute chunks, Neen also recommends a change in thought process. Rather than saying, “Oh, I didn’t have time to get that done.” Try saying, “I didn’t choose to use my time on that today.” This was a very powerful change for me. Rather than feeling guilty about not finding the time for something, I am very positively stating I chose to do something else with my time. As the end of the school year approaches and kids are home for the summer, this will be a very valuable tool. Choosing to spend time with your family is a valid choice and should be celebrated.
I invite you to use the 15-minute gift to fight your own female-itis. Give up the guilt and feel good about the things you choose to accomplish today…. and get Neen’s book, Secrets of Super-Productivity – you won’t be sorry!
Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage your stress.
As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country energizing and inspiring audiences in keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She writes one of the top 50 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.
