Work Hard and Stay Well

Stress left unchecked can wreak havoc on our health and well-being. A major workplace stressor is caused by our failure to effectively manage our time. Here are ten simple time management strategies you can use to eradicate stress so you can work hard and stay well. 1. Tomorrow Starts Today - Before you leave work each day, take a few minutes to plan for the next day. Think about what needs to be done when you arrive to work the next morning. Assemble everything you need to complete the most important tasks. 2. Prioritize the Tasks on Your Daily "To Do" List - Make certain the top spot is reserved for a task that once completed will give you a sense of accomplishment. A feeling of achievement will give you the energy you need to attack the other items on your list. 3. Pass It On - Review your daily "to do" list and start delegating tasks that someone else can do for you. 4. Treat Everything as an Appointment - Assign designated blocks of time for each task or activity on your "to do" list. 5. Practice Saying "No" - You can carve out space for yourself by saying "no" to requests to do things that will distract you from your important objectives. 6. Trim the List - Your daily to do list is a tool not a weapon. That's why it's important to keep it manageable. Instead of including items that you would like to do, only place items on your list that you can actually accomplish in a day. 7. Cut Yourself Some Slack - Let's face it, life rarely goes according to plan. That's why it's a good idea to assume that each task on your "to do" list will take longer than you expect. Your can alleviate stress and increase the odds of completing more items on your list by factoring in extra time for each task. 8. Call Time-Out - The next time you feel you are being pulled in a million different directions, pause, take a deep breath and ask yourself this question: What is the most important thing you could be doing right now? Then, allow your intuition to dictate what you should do next. Trust your inner voice to lead you in the right direction 9. Create a Blueprint for Your "Ideal" Day - Once you have created the blueprint, you can use it as a guide in creating your daily plan. 10. Schedule a Mid-Day Recovery - Set aside a few minutes each afternoon to clean up from the morning rush and get ready for the rest of the day.