As I’m revisiting this blog which was originally published 1694 days ago on January 22, 2016, I opted to reprise the contents for October 2020. Under normal circumstances, we all have far too many demands bogging down our to-do lists. Since covid 19 began, numerous people have expressed to me their frustration with endless to-dos. Add to that having to be constantly mindful about shifting the ways in which our normal approaches require adjustments. These adjustments consume even more time and compound the pressure on our fraying bandwidth. So what do we do? As I found myself occasionally struggling along with others, I recalled having written the blog below as The Practical Sort was getting off the ground. Boy did I feel that I was in way over my head back then. Many days, I still do.
Although I’m typically relunctant to republish old blogs, this one seems so timely, and why not repurpose nuggets of wisdom? If you read it back then, I hope you can review it with a fresh perspective to see how it might be useful to you under these circumstances. Be sure to watch the accompanying video for some practical strategies as you attempt to navigate day to day. And remember take this all in baby steps. If you don’t have time to watch the 6 minute video now, come back to it later when you can. That’s part of breaking tasks down into bite-sized chunks. Do what you can when you can without guilt, remorse, or pressure (unless it’s truly time sensitive). This is not.
Changing careers, starting a relationship, delving into a new hobby, launching a business, navigating through pandemics, and even organizing your home...these can all be overwhelming at first. The to-do lists appear endless. You doubtlessly feel bombarded by the mountains of information to sift through and absorb. Then there are the inevitable times that you will stop and question, "is this endeavor worth it?"
As I began launching this business, there were many days that I felt that the lists were insurmountable and the obstacles too large. Hence the need for the mantra "Baby Steps" which I chant to myself each morning as I prepare to tackle another checklist item. On the days that frustrations have gummed up the works and progress comes crashing to an unwelcome halt, I have been blessed with those around me to whisper or more likely admonish rather loudly, "BABY STEPS!" to remind me that everything will get done in due time. It will not happen all at once regardless of how impatient I get.
My mission for the business launch was to give myself a year to get everything up and running so that by the time that my last bird flew the nest, I would be fully immersed with no time for feeling sorry for myself due to the changes in my life or watching the kids blossom into their adult paths taking them far away. Lo and behold I got it all done and more.
The point of all this is as you…
Look around your nest , if there are areas or maybe your entire house that are in a state of disarray (that situation is quite likely if you found yourself on this website)
Review your holiday gift and greeting card lists, recipes, guest accommodations
Make travel plans amid a pandemic
You notice your stomach churning and the muscles in your back and neck tighten because you have no idea how it will all get done, keep in the back of your mind, "Baby Steps."
In fact, sometimes it is best to start with a very small project or area because the pay-off will be more immediate. Your brain will experience the surge of endorphins while you admire the progress made stoking your energy and motivation to move on to other areas.
And when you find yourself in over your head, close your eyes, take a few cleansing breaths, do a few rounds of EFT Tapping, or hold a yoga pose for a few minutes, or take a short walk to clear the cobwebs and get recentered. Believe me I know it’s hard not to keep charging forward when every second counts in order to plow through your list before time runs out. But I also know that when we’re under the gun and not fully resourced to react, we make careless mistakes, we get angry quickly, and we are more apt to lose the focus we need to execute effectively.
So with that being said, it would be my pleasure to lend a hand with a “virtual” project to get you up and running one step at a time. Baby steps indeed. It will all happen in due time.
