Doing it all...and still staying sane.

I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to finish massive TO DO lists daily.  I'd stay up late and then need an extra Red Bull the next day.  I'd always be stressed out and feel guilty for not accomplishing everything.  Then I had this moment of clarity - I realized I was only one person (duh) and that one person can only do so much.  That this one person will still have a list tomorrow, the next day, the next (and it will be forever growing daily - so much that no one would be able to accomplish it).  That this one person needs to find her own sense of "balance", which I believe doesn't exist so much (my own theory).  Some days/weeks your business needs you more and others it's your family tugging at you.  You have to go with it and "try" not to stress about what you didn't get done.  Pat yourself on the back for what you did successfully accomplish.



I've come to a place of peace knowing that nothing will fail if I don't tend to it immediately - well, unless it's my kids starving or something, but I try to never let it get to that point :). Not that my task list doesn't sometimes scare the ba-jeezus outta me, but I try not to let it bother me as much as it did.

I asked some fellow biz friends how they stay "sane" (relative term, I know).  Here's what they shared:

Allison from Pony Shells - I just decided I wasn't staying sane anymore and I had to make a change. Working from home there is no stopping point for me. I was ALWAYS at work. So I made an BIG habit change. I start my day with a walk around the block. I set up set times to check email, work on site, make sales calls. Then I set a specific stop time. No matter what I must leave my computer. I actually turn it off so I can't just zip back in to look. I walk around the block to finish my day. Very helpful so far (day 4).

Toni from Lovely Dorothy - Write everything down, stick to a routine, exercise, get lots of sleep, oh and never wash my face in the sink without my DripKnots!!

And then there's the other end of the spectrum (this is just for a giggle) -

Amanda from Cutie Pa Tutus -  I'm not. Helpful? :)

Delicia from Kota Couture - Interesting not sure I would recognize the line anymore of sanity.

Tara from Taradara - Wine


What are your tips for staying sane?

Update:  I realized after I wrote this that I have no idea what I'm talking about (HA?)...Every day is different.  I am now trying to manage in small lists.  Maybe 3 tasks to stay focused during the limited chunks of time I have.  I still try not to stress about that TO DO list, but honestly, it is hard.   I am trying to rely on God more than anything to help me prioritize my list.  I pray that He will give me the wisdom to complete what is important and pertinent to the success of my life.  The rest, can wait...