Wrapping up the year with a bow
We're at the end of 2022. We did it.
If this was an amazing year for you, congrats! I hope that 2023 brings you more of the same!
If 2022 can eat shit, then, hopefully we can craft a better 2023.
A few months ago, I started a #100daystrong challenge with my girl Miriam, and we noticed something:
For some of us, the closing of time measurements is intoxicating, rejuvenating, and focuses us to really prioritize what we want. Resonates?
For others, it actually stresses us the f out. We realize we'll never have enough time to get it all done, and feel panicked.
To those, I offer you - there's not a huge difference between December 31st and January 1st.
Don't tell my accountant.
What am I saying here!?
We shouldn't leverage "deadlines"?!
Yes.
If "deadlines" don't work for you, and in fact, stress you - you may have learned that doesn't vibe. You may try rolling to-do lists. The pomodoro technique. Timers. Hiring someone.
Or, you may be taking on too much.
If that's the one that feels prickly, I have something for you!
Join me in an activity that we called "Getting Complete" in our Annual Leadership Review ( recording here, if you missed it! ).
I also fondly refer to this as "shit I'm putting up with." Which pleases me.
So let's put it into practice, shall we?
Step 1: Write down everything on your plate. Literally, everything. Include work, life, all those good ol' executive functioning details. Think the bag of clothes to donate in your trunk. That optometrist appointment you haven't scheduled. If you want assistance, Conscious Leadership Group has a great recording to walk you through it. Listen here.
Step 2: How's that list feel? Doable? Amazing, you got this. But, if you're like the average American, you have less than half an hour of free time per week. (The Ladders) That's not a lot of time to make it through everything, eh? Which brings us to step 3.
Step 3: Apply the 4Ds. From Getting Things Done : Go through the list and apply 1 of these choices:
Do - Yes, you want to do that thing, so do it.
Defer - This should be done, but at a later date. Secret tip - give yourself a date as to when it can come back onto your mental load.
Delegate - This should be done, but it doesn't have to be done by you. It may cost more, or get done "not perfectly to your standards" but that's okay, it can get done.
Decline - That's a nope. Doesn't need to be done. Cross it off your list, and cross it off your mental list. Get it out of there.If you notice that one of these feels harder than the others, the challenge I give to you is, apply more of that. It's going to be uncomfortable.
Step 4: Repeat. We're going to have many, many more times that we're overwhelmed. This is a ridiculously useful tool whenever you feel like you're underwater. Sometimes it's getting this list out of you head and realizing it is (or isn't!) manageable. Recognizing that you may need help. And, getting things off your list.
If you need help with this…