Everywhere I look, I see leaders feeling overwhelmed, spending more and more time at work, and struggling with the stress and pressure of it all.
Recently, productivity coach Neill Williams joined my clients and me in Grand Rapids for our first VIP Leadership Retreat. It was awesome, and by “awesome,” I mean incredibly eye-opening.
Neill started her presentation with a short 10 question Productivity IQ Quiz, where you can rate yourself on how close you are to burning-out. The majority of my clients placed in the burnout category. In fact, only recently through my own work with Neill have I moved from the burnout category into the exceptional category.
Here’s what burnout looks like:
- Fitting in requests from a boss, colleague, or client when you know there is no room in the schedule to accommodate the request.
- Feelings of overwhelm, stress, and anxiety.
- Looking at your calendar and thinking, “I have no time” or “how am I going to do this?”
- Feeling like you are never doing enough.
- Multi-tasking.
- Snapping at family and sometimes co-workers.
- Hiding in your office.
- Staring blankly at the computer screen.
- Checking email constantly.
- Being busy but not productive.
- Working late when the kids are in bed and on weekends.
- Chaos.
Anything on this list sound familiar?
No shame here. I get it and you are not alone.
But here’s what else I know—this path only leads to sickness, panic attacks, and heartache. This is not a leader being the best version of themselves. And that is all that I want for you!
Instead, life can look like:
- Purposefully planning and managing your calendar.
- Setting boundaries for clients, colleagues, family, and yourself.
- Living by your priorities.
- Scheduling white space just to breathe.
- Taking time to do the things most important first.
- Scheduling time to check email and honoring that schedule.
- Telling someone “no” kindly and not feeling guilty.
- Figuring out what is truly important and only doing that.
- Figuring out how to do a task in the time allotted.
- Being relaxed, calm, and confident.
During the VIP retreat, Neill and I helped my clients begin to see that even though they had many demands on their time, they could approach these demands and their calendars differently. They could take back their control. They could rise above and evaluate what was working and what wasn’t. They could set boundaries with a simple, “yes, if…” or a kind, but firm, “No.” They actually do have a choice, and they don’t have to continue to live the chaotic way they were living.
To start taking back your control over your calendar and your life, the first step is to take Neill Williams’ Productivity IQ Quiz.
(Go take the quiz now. I’ll wait here.)
How did you score? If you want to score higher, then here is your next step: Sign up for our next leadership and productivity retreat. Neill and I would like to offer an in-person leadership and productivity retreat in spring 2020 in Grand Rapids. We are gauging interest now. If you are interested and would like more information when it’s available, email me now ellie@successfulgenerations.com.
