What!!? Where does the time go?!
We’ve been counting down the days until we depart on our ‘Year in a Bus NZ’ adventure for 2019.
It seems like yesterday there were about 130 days to go and that seemed in the so-distant future.
But today, we have only 40 left.
That’s like 6 weeks!!
Throw in a work appraisal, report writing the two of us teachers do in Term 4, a son’s 10th birthday, and a school camp.
Now add finish the bus refit, submit school exemption forms, gather educational resources, farewell your friends and family, rent your house out, and pack up your former life…
Who’s idea was this!?
It was mine. And I own it but we’re getting close to actually living it and it’s pretty hectic right now.
Maybe bungy jumpers know the feeling – excited to do it initially but it requires extra bravery to step off the ‘solid ground’.
The stress is real right now hence this post which includes a range of ideas to help you handle life’s pressure better.
My 7 Top Tips For Managing Better Under Pressure
1. Make A To-Do List
Lists are what we need in times like this!
Make lists. They’ll need to include priority rank – Is there something that can’t wait? Are there deadlines that have to be met?
Are there pre-booked events we’re already committed to? Yes – do them. No – do not commit to them.
Is there something that has an associated wait so it needs submitting with time to spare?
Are there orders we need to place for items not necessary right now but that we’ll need by the time we go?
Are we having fun yet?
2. Set Some Goals
Set goals.
Duncan Haughey says make them SMART.
S – specific, significant, stretching
M – measurable, meaningful, motivational
A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T – time-based, time-bound, timely, tangible, trackable
*Smarter goals template download*
3. Take A Break
Rest. Relax.
Where will that fit with all that needs doing?
Who’s candle is burning at both ends?
How long can that last?
Get some time to yourself. Sit quietly or do things you enjoy that revitalise you.
Proper sleep is indispensable to health. A good read about why you should not ditch proper sleep is here.
4. Ask & You Will Receive
Ask for help. Think ahead – is this list manageable without anyone else’s help?
Mine’s not but with help I can do it.
I also pray and let God help me stay focused, calm, and connected to those around me.
With His help I humble myself quicker when I’m wrong, stay more positive and my heavy load is bearable. I have more purpose and my self-worth and identity don’t depend on others.
I need childcare support to get my list done or the kids will be bored or ignored and that’s not fun for anyone.
I need cleaning support.
Houses get messy.
Helpers get you tidied up quicker = less exhausted.
You can even take turns to help others or trade your services.
Maybe you enjoy one thing and your friend another?
I have a friend who will cut my hair and in return I sort her cupboards = both helped and both happy.
I need sorting support.
It gives me encouragement to keep going and makes the seemingly endless list doable.
Helpers also aren’t attached to your stuff, making parting with it easier for them.
This whole house of ours needs packing up. We’ll be taking a fraction of its contents.
The rest has to go!
Where?
Given away, sold online, to second-hand shops or stored.
Over 25 banana boxes of our stuff went to our local Salvation Army. NZ benefits.
So do we.
We have less… Less clutter, less to clean, less stress – happier!
5. Have Some Fun
Have fun even when you have so much to get done.
When you care for yourself, you’ll have more to give others when they need it.
Add fun, exercise, and relaxation to your weekly calendar first then the responsibilities you have.
That can be hard.
Do it anyway.
6. Celebrate Achievements
Reward yourself when the job’s done.
One of our favourite rewards is going to Pokeno.
It’s a small town famous for giant ice creams, which make a great reward for effort. And they’re often excited to choose (there are approx. 50 flavours) and they don’t cost much.
For extra hard work, there’s even the option of having waffle cones, chocolate-dipped ice cream, or for someone else’s kids up to 15 scoops on one cone! Seriously.
Madness. Who could work that hard?!
We usually choose a more manageable size – two scoops for Dad, one for everyone else. Yum!
7. Imagine Your Dream Becoming Reality
Visualise the end.
When the going gets tough, remember why you decided to work towards your dream in the first place.
Imagine what life will be like when you’ve completed the tasks at hand.
What will the final outcome you are aiming for feel like when you’ve achieved it?
Which things will you be able to do that you can’t right now?
What will that freedom look like?
Tell yourself it will all be worth it. Do that a lot.
The Nutshell
- Make a list.
- Set SMART goals for what you want to achieve.
- Rest & relax along the way.
- Ask for help.
- Have fun.
- Reward yourself.
- Visualise the desired results of your effort.
Now decide to get going.
You can do anything you determine to.
Say it. Do it.
Comment to let me know if there’s something that works well for you in stressful moments.
Please pin one of the images below to share this.
Thanks!
Meagan
