FCB #016: Too Many Balls in the Air? 10 Tips to Regain Control

ARE YOU JUGGLING TOO MANY BALLS IN THE AIR?

If you're anything like me, you take on too much, and you end up stressed out, depleted, and feeling out of control most of the time.

Successful, growing businesses do that to you.

It doesn't have to be that way!

There are several things you can do to regain control of your busy life!

Here Are 10 Simple Things You Can Do to Regain Control:

These are simple tips but not necessarily easy to implement.

Let me know if you need some support along the way.

1. Prioritize Your Tasks:

• Identify and focus on high-priority tasks first.
• Evaluate tasks based on their urgency and importance.
• Break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

2. Delegate To Your Team:

• Assign tasks to capable team members or colleagues.
• Outsource non-essential tasks to external resources.
• Clearly communicate task expectations and provide necessary support.

3. Set Boundaries:

• Learn to say no to tasks that do not align with priorities.
• Define clear working hours and avoid overcommitment.
• Communicate boundaries effectively to colleagues and superiors.

4.  Time Management:

• Create a schedule or to-do list to organize tasks.
• Set deadlines for each task to stay on track.
• Use time-blocking techniques to allocate specific task time slots.

5.  Focus on Core Responsibilities:

• Identify key responsibilities that contribute to overall goals.
• Delegate or eliminate tasks that fall outside of core responsibilities.
• Regularly reassess and adjust focus as priorities change.

6.  Seek Support:

• Reach out to colleagues or mentors for guidance and assistance.
• Communicate challenges and seek collaboration.
• Build a support network of trusted individuals.

7.  Practice Self-Care:

• Prioritize personal well-being through regular exercise or physical activity.
• Incorporate relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing.
• Ensure sufficient rest and sleep for rejuvenation.

8.  Simplify:

• Streamline workflows and eliminate unnecessary steps.
•  Automate repetitive tasks where possible.
• Minimize distractions and focus on essential elements.

9.  Communicate Effectively:

• Express workload and challenges clearly to supervisors or colleagues.
• Seek feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Maintain open and honest communication channels.

10.  Learn to Ask For Help:

• Recognize when help is needed and proactively seek assistance.
• Reach out to mentors or coaches for guidance.
• Take advantage of available resources and expertise.

Here Are 3 Books That Can Help You Regain Control:

Three popular books I like that offer insights on productivity, time management, handling multiple responsibilities, and managing busy lives are:

1.  "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear (2018)

• This book focuses on the power of small habits and offers practical strategies for building positive routines, overcoming obstacles, and improving productivity.

2.  "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport (2016)

• Cal Newport explores the concept of deep work, emphasizing the importance of concentration and uninterrupted focus in an age of constant distractions. The book provides strategies to enhance productivity and manage multiple demands effectively.

3.  "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown (2014)

• "Essentialism" remains highly recommended for individuals seeking to prioritize their time and efforts. The book advocates for focusing on what truly matters and offers practical advice on eliminating non-essential tasks and commitments.

Conclusion

Tips:

You don't have to try and do all of these at once, but pick one of these tips and focus on it here in the month of July.

See if that doesn't help you regain a bit more of control.

• Prioritize
• Delegate
• Set Boundaries
• Time Management
• Focus on Core Responsibilities
• Seek Support
• Practice Self-Care
• Simplify
• Communicate Effectively
• Learn to Ask For Help

Books:

Similarly, pick one of these books and start reading it in July.

See if you can pull 1-2 things to help you turn chaos into order.

• Atomic Habits
• Deep Work
• Essentialism

Good luck!

We all struggle with this.

Here's to juggling less balls in the air.

Let me know how it goes.

One day at a time.

I care.