Stress and Overwhelm

I NEVER Want to Exercise

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I was frantic. I wanted to go to the gym in the afternoon. You must understand – I NEVER want to exercise, so I seriously needed to take advantage of this sudden burst of motivation.

The problem was, I was mired in important but tedious tasks that I did not want to do. Simple things, things that I could give to a 6th grader to complete. All day I avoided doing them, but kept up a steady stream of mental chatter, “What’s wrong with you? Just do it. It’s no big deal. Get off your duff and just do it. What’s wrong with you?”…ad nauseum.

Not only was I avoiding those piddly tasks, but I also didn’t feel comfortable moving on to the more important tasks pertaining to business development and marketing.

So here’s the rundown:

  • I was spinning in circles
  • I was talking to myself in a not very nice way
  • I wasn’t getting the tedious done
  • I wasn’t getting the important things done
  • I wasn’t going to get to the gym

Then…MAGIC happened. I picked up the phone and asked my Virtual Assistant for help.

I realized that I had to delegate the really tiny tasks. The ones that I tell myself will only take 5 minutes, so what’s the big deal?

The big deal is that those tiny tasks drain us if we do them, make us feel guilt-ridden if we don’t, and either way prevent us from working on the critical tasks of business building and development.

I strongly recommend that everyone who thinks they can’t afford administrative support, think again. If you want to grow, you have to get assistance. And it doesn’t need to be a huge investment!

Many business owners find they get all of the administrative support they need for around $300 per month. In a fraction of the time, Virtual Assistants complete the tedious tasks that drag the life out of you. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Glinda, the GOOD Control Freak

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One of the top reasons people give me for not delegating to a Virtual Assistant is that they are Control Freaks. I’ve worked with several clients to curb this issue, and have had some success. But then I got to thinking… is being a control freak such a bad thing? Is it possible to become a really GOOD control freak? Like Glinda the good witch…

So I turned it around with the notion that most people would like a little more control and consistency in their businesses. No one likes the feeling of being battered by external forces that can’t be controlled.

To start the process of becoming a good Control Freak (remember – think Glinda!), I came up with this list of things that are 100% controllable.

1.      Attitude and Mindset
2.      Goal Setting
3.      Time Management
4.      Follow-up
5.      “One Thing”*

Strangely, I’m starting to believe that in order to delegate effectively, you have to become a proficient Control Freak first. I’m starting a certification course, in fact!

If you’d like to argue with me, go ahead, but I’m convinced that if you make a decision to be 100% responsible for these 5 things, your life will completely change. You’ll be managing the things you have authority over, rather than struggling to change the things over which you don’t.

And these aren’t airy fairy concepts (no offense to Glinda). These are get-up-in-the-morning and put-them-to-work strategies. All you have to do is decide to own them, and then systemize the process.

I’ll keep you posted on the Control Freak certification program!

 

* Wondering about #5? Remember Curly’s “One Thing”  from City Slickers? Just like in life, I believe in business there is one critical activity that all progress radiates out from. It’s one of the key strategies I work on with my clients.

Maybe it’s Time to Open the Door

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DoorknobToday I did something unusual… I opened the door. My front door, that is, to a couple of clean-cut Mormon boys.

Ok, don’t hate me, but when I spy these kind souls through my peephole, I usually quietly watch from behind the door, hoping they’ll simply think no one was home and move along to the next house.

But today, it occurred to me that I knew how to handle this situation with ease and grace, and perhaps a little more dignity than I have in the past. So I took a deep breath, and I opened the door.

I was able to look these young men in the eye, thank them for their good works, and gently disagree. We shared a laugh about an old friend of mine who spent her Mormon mission going to seedy bars in Salt Lake City because, as she put it, “Don’t you think those people need it the most?” Then I wished them well as they moved along to the next house.

Why did I find this situation significant? Because I realized it was good practice for real life. I’m sure I’m not the only person who finds it stressful to be in situations where I disagree or have to say no. But what I know for sure is that when I don’t deal with the situations, the stress internalizes itself. Over time, it builds, it erupts, it causes health problems.

So, is there anything that you are “hiding behind the door” from? Would it be possible to kindly look it in the eye and dismiss it from your life?

Maybe it’s time for you to open the door, too.