Just Say No!

I remember you. You work a full time job by day and take care of three teenagers by night. You have enough on your plate already when you are asked to pick up an extra shift at work. Your daughter needs to get to cheer at 6:30, be picked up at 10:00, and somehow your youngest needs to get to confirmation from 7-8:00. Dinner needs to get done, but so does the laundry. Your spouse works until 11. Is anyone going to vacuum?

I remember you because you were me. There are only 24 hours in a day, but 26 hours of stuff in it. I felt as if there was no one around to help. If you are like I was – what can you do?

The first thing you need to do is to stop for a minute and catch your breath. All of that running around is hard enough without having to think clearly also. Alright, breathe in – breathe out. Feel better? Okay, let's go.

Take inventory

What are you doing now? Prioritize what you are doing with your day, and see how it all adds up. With these priorities completed, which tasks do you feel that you just don't have time to accomplish? These are the ones that are at the bottom of the list (assuming that the top priorities are at the top.)

Just Say No

If you really don't have time, then you don't have time. I know, you love to help people out when they are in a jam, and all of this stuff is important so you can't just blow it off. How well are you really attending to their service? Are you able to give 100% to the task, or would they be better served with someone else helping them out?

When you are left running ragged at the end of the day your not going to be able to give the best quality service to yourself, let alone anyone else. Why would you want to provide half-quality service? I know I wouldn't. If the quality isn't there, someone else is better for the job.

You Matter

You are like a battery that is being run down all day. If you never get a chance to fully recharge how are you going to perform tomorrow? A battery that is constantly being run down to zero will not last very long. You matter, and that is why we need you to spend some time recharging once in a while. After all, we may need to borrow you when the batteries die in the remote control.

Get Real

Be realistic about what you can truly handle. There are only 24 hours in a day. You need eight of them for work, and eight of them to recharge, so there isn't a lot of time left. Don't pack in eight hours of stuff during the rest of the time. Plan for some quality time with someone, and you deserve some “me” time as well.

Call Up The Troops

Who can you get to help you out? That sixteen year old is just aching to drive, so let him drive his sister to cheer practice. Is your spouse/partner/whoever as busy as you are, can you count on them for help? Could you couple with others doing similar activities as you and split the work? For example, you take their kids to do their activity tonight and they'll take yours tomorrow. There is always someone who can help, be willing to let them.

Our big goal is to keep you sane and healthy. The next biggest goal is to ensure that you are giving a quality product in whatever it is that you are doing. Help yourself give it by saying no to the extra stuff, and getting help with what you have left over. Besides, helping out is good bonding time.

Have an inspirational day! (If you have the time)