Isn’t it amazing how much energy you can spend stewing about things? If you get too agitated, you might be completely unable to focus on other tasks. If that’s the case, you’re no good for anything until you can calmly address the issue. You need to learn to create closure on the things that bother you, so you can get on with life. Here’s how.
1. Avoid energy vampires. Some people can drain your energy in five minutes flat. Stay away from people who constantly criticize you, who gossip and create drama, who are mean, or who are just incurably rude.
2. Be assertive in annoying situations. If don’t state your needs in plain English, you’re unlikely to get what you want. Being assertive isn’t the same as being aggressive; be polite, and let the people around you know you’re willing to help out by changing your own behavior if necessary.
3. Clear up nagging reminders. If you’ve got to-do items that have been staring you in the face for months, set aside some time to tackle them and get them done. Leaving things undone can zap you with guilt that’ll drain your energy.
4. Don’t leave things half-done. Don’t quit halfway. Instead of letting postponed tasks leave you frustrated, set aside some time and plow through them until they’re done, so you can move on to more productive tasks.
5. Occupy yourself productively while waiting. It’s bad enough when we waste time, but it’s worse when someone wastes it for us. If you’re stuck waiting somewhere, use to time to edit, knit, pay bills, read — anything productive.
6. Don’t let boredom get the best of you. Are you doing the same boring things every day? If so, give yourself a shot in the arm energy-wise by jumping out of that rut with some new activities. Change your routine and live a little!
7. Look within for the source of your frustration. If you can’t pinpoint an exterior source of your irritation and frustration, look within, try to determine the source of the problem, and resolve it.
8. Set limits and boundaries with others. Learn to say no. Saying no isn’t about being selfish; it’s about setting healthy parameters for yourself and recognizing reality, and learning to protect your energy level, your health, and productivity.
It’s crucial to learn how to create closure on the things in your life that bother you. Do something about them. What are you tolerating? When do you experience frustration? What do you do when someone wastes your time? All of those situations require closure, so you can direct your energy toward more positive pursuits.
(C) 2008 Laura Stack. Laura Stack is a personal productivity expert, author, and professional speaker who helps busy workers Leave the Office Earlier® with Maximum Results in Minimum Time™. She is the president of The Productivity Pro®, Inc., a time management training firm specializing in productivity improvement in high-stress organizations. Since 1992, Laura has presented keynotes and seminars on improving output, lowering stress, and saving time in today’s workplaces. She is the bestselling author of three works published by Broadway Books: The Exhaustion Cure (2008), Find More Time (2006) and Leave the Office Earlier (2004). Laura is a spokesperson for Microsoft, 3M, and Day-Timers®, Inc and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, CNN, and the New York Times. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Sunoco, KPMG, Nationwide, and 3M. To have Laura speak at your next event, call 303-471-7401. Visit www.TheProductivityPro.com to sign up for her free monthly productivity newsletter.
