Currently, I feel like I am juggling a lot of different things, and I am trying to ensure that they all get accomplished, and nothing is left out. Yes, this is a challenge that a lot of us face quite often, and knowing that you can handle it can be hard and even stressful.
I am sitting in my office area at home and realize that sometimes I am just going to have to let a few things go until I can make progress on the things that are most important. Looking around and seeing the different demands is difficult, but at least now I have a list of things that I need to work on. Over the last month or so, I started writing down all the different things that need my attention, big or small. The small things get dealt with right away, and all the other things get written down. I am the type of person that does make to-do lists and have to admit that most of the time they do work for me because I can see what needs to get done and also what I got done.
Tomorrow is another day, and I am going to start with my to-do list and see what I can accomplish off of it and know that I wouldn't be able to accomplish everything. At least making some progress on the different items is going to make me feel quite a bit better about things. Taking the small steps forward is a lot better than taking no steps forward at all. My list may be long, but I know that I can accomplish some of the things and the other things will just have to wait another day.
The juggling is through for today, and now it's time to sit back and relax and know that I did what I could do today and I will do what I can do tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Knowing you can do something
Since writing my CAPM exam, I have had a chance to look at things and think a lot of things through. I have found that since writing and passing the exam, I realized that I can really achieve what I put my mind to. Yes, there are going to be challenges to overcome, but at least know that you can achieve what you want in life.
Of course after finishing my exam I realized I had a one-week break before I took another course, but that was only a 4-day course, and you write the exam at the end of the last day. This time I put a lot less pressure on myself because I was feeling good throughout the course and this exam wasn't for a certification, it was just one course.
Besides all the stress release and trying to catch up with everything I had pushed aside in January, I realized that I needed a better way to organize my life. I am one of those that of course tries to do everything for everyone and then gets stressed because of everything on my plate. Now I have started to write down all the things that I need to do, and I am not feeling as stressed as I did before. I think being able to see the list instead of trying to keep it all in my head has really started to help me. Having this list also means that I can delegate some of the things when my plate gets too full, and the other person knows what is outstanding and needs attention.
My list of things that need my attention is currently a little longer than I would like it to be, but I know that if I focus on one thing at a time, the list will get shorter quickly. This next week I hope to be able to focus on a couple of things that need to be completed by the end of February and then work on the rest of the list.
Knowing that you can achieve what you put your mind to does help because it means that you aren't doubting yourself as much. I know this is how I am feeling because I now know that I achieved something I wanted and can now plow ahead and achieve other things.
Of course after finishing my exam I realized I had a one-week break before I took another course, but that was only a 4-day course, and you write the exam at the end of the last day. This time I put a lot less pressure on myself because I was feeling good throughout the course and this exam wasn't for a certification, it was just one course.
Besides all the stress release and trying to catch up with everything I had pushed aside in January, I realized that I needed a better way to organize my life. I am one of those that of course tries to do everything for everyone and then gets stressed because of everything on my plate. Now I have started to write down all the things that I need to do, and I am not feeling as stressed as I did before. I think being able to see the list instead of trying to keep it all in my head has really started to help me. Having this list also means that I can delegate some of the things when my plate gets too full, and the other person knows what is outstanding and needs attention.
My list of things that need my attention is currently a little longer than I would like it to be, but I know that if I focus on one thing at a time, the list will get shorter quickly. This next week I hope to be able to focus on a couple of things that need to be completed by the end of February and then work on the rest of the list.
Knowing that you can achieve what you put your mind to does help because it means that you aren't doubting yourself as much. I know this is how I am feeling because I now know that I achieved something I wanted and can now plow ahead and achieve other things.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Results of self imposed stress
Previously, I wrote about the self-imposed stress that I had put upon myself about trying to achieve something that I really wanted. Well the exam was Friday and thanks to modern technology I know the results already, and they are I passed the exam. I achieved my CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) and now know that if I put my mind to something, I can achieve it.
This certification has been a lot of hard work, but I put the effort into achieving it and after wanting to postpone the exam because I doubted myself, I pushed ahead and wrote it. Knowing that I did this has helped me see that I shouldn't doubt myself as much as I have in the past.
So now that I have achieved this, I am going to start thinking a little differently about things and I will know that if I put my mind to it, I can do it.
This certification has been a lot of hard work, but I put the effort into achieving it and after wanting to postpone the exam because I doubted myself, I pushed ahead and wrote it. Knowing that I did this has helped me see that I shouldn't doubt myself as much as I have in the past.
So now that I have achieved this, I am going to start thinking a little differently about things and I will know that if I put my mind to it, I can do it.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Dealing with self imposed stress
Like a lot of people, I put undo stress on myself. I am admitting this because this week I have been adding more and more stress for no real reason. I think part of it is because of writing a CAPM exam on Friday, I am starting to worry about the outcome. Last night, I hit the point of wanting to postpone the exam so that I didn't have to deal with the outcome this week. Basically, all I was going to do was postpone the outcome instead of facing it head on.
This morning I woke up feeling a lot better about things and realize that no matter what the outcome, at least I have given it my best try and that is all anyone can expect. Yes, anyone does include me now, instead of how I normally deal with things and forget to include me. Knowing that people are there to support me is helping because sometimes being your own worst enemy sure doesn't help. I am the one that questions if I am ready, while everyone else is saying that I know the material.
Facing things head-on instead of always questioning your ability is what I should do more often because I know I can do lots of things and will continue to do them. Now the challenge until the weekend is to try not to add any more stress to myself and know that what happens, happens.
Off to do some studying, but will not try and pack the brain too much today so that I can also take some time to relax and enjoy life.
This morning I woke up feeling a lot better about things and realize that no matter what the outcome, at least I have given it my best try and that is all anyone can expect. Yes, anyone does include me now, instead of how I normally deal with things and forget to include me. Knowing that people are there to support me is helping because sometimes being your own worst enemy sure doesn't help. I am the one that questions if I am ready, while everyone else is saying that I know the material.
Facing things head-on instead of always questioning your ability is what I should do more often because I know I can do lots of things and will continue to do them. Now the challenge until the weekend is to try not to add any more stress to myself and know that what happens, happens.
Off to do some studying, but will not try and pack the brain too much today so that I can also take some time to relax and enjoy life.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Getting organized
This last little while I have felt that life has been a little too crazy for my liking, so have decided that I am going to try and get myself a little more organized. Part of my organization is deciding that I am going to schedule my workdays a little more than I have in the past. I am hoping that having my days scheduled a bit more it will mean that I get more accomplished, and the stress level should also be reduced.
A lot of people probably do things like I do and bounce from one thing to another and really don't feel like they are getting much done. I know that instead of focusing on each of the different roles that I have, I try and do a bit of everything and therefore end up stressed and frustrated. Now my goal is to try and work on my schedule for the month of February and see how it goes. It should mean that I get things done, and maybe I won't worry so much about all the other things because I will know that they will be handled on the assigned day.
I have actually decided that I am also going to schedule some me time into my evening schedules so that I ensure that I remember to take time for myself instead of always putting everyone else first. This is going to be the biggest challenge for me because I normally start taking time for myself only to put it aside because something else for someone else calls out to me. I started the evening schedule last week and have to admit that it does feel great taking some time for myself and actually seeing stuff getting accomplished and not feeling guilty about doing it.
Getting my life a little more organized should also mean that I will be able to get more done, both professionally and personally. Now to start my day and see how much I can accomplish.
A lot of people probably do things like I do and bounce from one thing to another and really don't feel like they are getting much done. I know that instead of focusing on each of the different roles that I have, I try and do a bit of everything and therefore end up stressed and frustrated. Now my goal is to try and work on my schedule for the month of February and see how it goes. It should mean that I get things done, and maybe I won't worry so much about all the other things because I will know that they will be handled on the assigned day.
I have actually decided that I am also going to schedule some me time into my evening schedules so that I ensure that I remember to take time for myself instead of always putting everyone else first. This is going to be the biggest challenge for me because I normally start taking time for myself only to put it aside because something else for someone else calls out to me. I started the evening schedule last week and have to admit that it does feel great taking some time for myself and actually seeing stuff getting accomplished and not feeling guilty about doing it.
Getting my life a little more organized should also mean that I will be able to get more done, both professionally and personally. Now to start my day and see how much I can accomplish.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Setting goals for yourself
January is a time to sit back and think of all the things that you would like to achieve in the new year. A lot of people say, "I want to lose weight" or "I want to exercise more".
The comment "I want to lose weight" is something that I now laugh at as I mentioned this to an instructor once, and he said, "But do you really want to find it again?" Instead of saying "I want to lose weight", how about "I want to get rid of some weight". At least, if you get rid of the weight, you may have a better chance of keeping it off. I am made this a goal a few years, but this year I have decided I am not adding this to my stress level.
Goals should be achievable and realistic. I have normally made goals that I hope I can achieve but end up not achieving them, and then I end up frustrated. This year, my goals are realistic to me, so now to work on achieving all of them. Simple, small steps is what I am going to be taking to ensure that I accomplish what I set out to do.
The comment "I want to lose weight" is something that I now laugh at as I mentioned this to an instructor once, and he said, "But do you really want to find it again?" Instead of saying "I want to lose weight", how about "I want to get rid of some weight". At least, if you get rid of the weight, you may have a better chance of keeping it off. I am made this a goal a few years, but this year I have decided I am not adding this to my stress level.
Goals should be achievable and realistic. I have normally made goals that I hope I can achieve but end up not achieving them, and then I end up frustrated. This year, my goals are realistic to me, so now to work on achieving all of them. Simple, small steps is what I am going to be taking to ensure that I accomplish what I set out to do.
Monday, January 9, 2012
2012 Goals
Yes, I said I was going to post my goals for 2012 early last week, but after taking a Project Management Boot Camp for 5 days, I didn't have any energy left by the time I got home.
Here are my goals for 2012:
1. Blog four times each month
2. Write content for company website
3. Achieve CAPM
4. Learn to take time for myself
These are my big goals for 2012 and will see how I do with them. Time will tell.
Here are my goals for 2012:
1. Blog four times each month
2. Write content for company website
3. Achieve CAPM
4. Learn to take time for myself
These are my big goals for 2012 and will see how I do with them. Time will tell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)