Do it first
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 07:49AM BC, I worked as an event planner for a national company. I traveled everywhere and had probably 250 clients to keep happy. It could be overwhelming at times, especially in the days leading up to an event. One strategy I learned to keep my stress level manageable was to take the one thing off from my to do list that I least wanted to do...and take care of it first thing in the morning. Instead of letting it weigh you down - take control and get it done.
Now that I am a WAHM, I find myself falling back on that tip often. Not just with work-related tasks, but with tasks around the house as well.
For a while, laundry was the bane of my existence. At times, it appeared to breed behind the closed doors of my laundry closet. It would taunt me whenever I would open the door to add new clothes to the pile. I would get overwhelmed just thinking about how many loads needed to be cycled through before I could see empty baskets. Sometimes, I would put a load into the wash and forget about it. We all know there’s nothing worse than skunked laundry.
One day a few months ago, I decided that I wasn’t going to be laundry’s bitch. I took control. I spent the next 24 hours washing, drying, folding and putting away ALL the laundry.
I now start off each day switching a load and putting in a new one. My baskets are consistently empty throughout the week.
Sometimes, I feel myself overwhelmed by money - especially when my husband was laid off last year. I would pile the bills on my desk and try to ignore them, vowing to tackle them tomorrow. I had every intention of paying them, just not today. I kept putting it off until it became very stressful.
Now, if I notice bills sitting on the desk, I balance the check books and at the very least make a plan to pay them. They can’t taunt me all day, stressing me out, because I am in control of them now.
That phone call I don’t want to make? Just thinking about it makes the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. Instead of pushing it to the back of my mind and conveniently forgetting it, I’m just gonna make the call early today and get it over with.
What’s the one item on your list today that you least want to tackle? Wouldn’t you feel better if you just got it over with?
Reader Comments (3)
Putting that pile of dog poo on the HOA VP's doorstep. That's the task item I've been putting off. :)
Working out. Every day is a challenge, but I feel so much better after I do it!
Hi Mommy,
Your personal development over the past two years is very impressive!
You are absolutely correct in your approach.
For further information on that philosophy, can I recommend
" "Eat That Frog" by Brian Tracey " ?
Basically, once you tackle the unpleasant task of “eating a frog” first, the rest goes easily.
If I can find it I’ll send it to you.
Best wishes and continue on your path of growth!
Rufus T. FireFly