5 Tips to De-Stress Your Schedule

Tip #1: Write it Down

A good daytimer, PDA, or other organizer frees your mind from having to remember things. It also helps you stay on track and remind you of all that you've accomplished. Write down birthdays, events, and other to-dos, but also write down dreams, goals and even things you want to research or look in to. If you don't have one, get one!

Tip #2: The 5-Minute Rule

David Allen, author of the best-seller Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, says that if a task comes up and it takes five minutes or less to do, then do it now. It will help those little jobs from building up, without impacting our productivity.

Tip #3: Think Carefully About What You Take On

Every new commitment takes time away from other things you could be doing. When it comes to helping family, friends, even strangers in times of need, it can be a no-brainer. But how about new projects and jobs?

To get you focused, think about 2 or 3 goals you'd like to accomplish in the next 3 months. How about the next year? Then evaulate how this new project or job would fit in with that. Will it take time away from the things that matter?

Tip #4: Call in the ExpertsHere are some books that can help you stay organized and focused on what's important:

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen

Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide With Hundreds Of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges , by Donna Smallin

Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life, by David Allen

Tip #5: Ask For Help

Write down 5 to 10 things that are keeping you from accomplishing your goals. Brainstorm! Be creative about finding ways to address these obstacles. Ask for help if you need it, and return the favor.

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