Looking back on 2009, we’ve written quite a bit on the topic of being overwhelmed and anxious. It’s no surprise given the current economic climate and the exponential expansion of anywhere-anytime information feeds – Twitter, Facebook, etc – that make sure we have always have more, more, more to process and respond to.
So what to do? We’ve rounded up five of our favorite pieces on pushing back against anxiety-inducing approaches to workflow, over-analyzing your web analytics, over-committing yourself, and under-nourishing your body.
1. Avoid reactionary workflow.
Merlin Mann’s “inbox zero” – a noble goal – now seems like a distant mirage, dreamed of but completely unreachable. Why? Our “inboxes” are multiplying. We get messages at Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and to multiple email accounts. As the channels for communication grow, so to does the influx of missives demanding reply. And if we’re not careful we can spend an entire workday merely reacting to these communications. It’s time to take charge. Read on for some insights on combating “reactionary workflow.”
2. Reduce your insecurity work.
If you’re guilty of checking your Twitter followers and/or web traffic more than once a day, raise your hand. (Admission: I just checked my Twitter followers while writing this.) As small business owners, we like to be on top of how the business is performing, from Twitter marketing programs, to how many hits we got on a given post, to whether that just-deposited check cleared yet. But we often check on these stats with a frequency bordering on obsessive. It’s an easy distraction that feels like work, but is really just an addiction. Here are some tips on identifying “insecurity work” and curbing it.
3. Worry only about problems within your circle of influence.
Entrepreneurs tend to be “can-do” type of people – always ready and willing to tackle new problems as they come up. Even the tiniest niggling details are not above the passionate entrepreneur’s attention. But we rarely stop to ask ourselves, “Is solving this problem worth the energy I’ll invest in doing so?” Or, better yet, “Is this problem worth solving at all?” Frequently, we spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about problems over which we cannot actually influence the outcome. Check out this article for some further advice on applying your energy only to items within your circle of influence.
4. Practice saying no.
The first step toward being less overwhelmed, is embracing the art of saying no. Everyone’s got some sort of system for their to-do list, yet few of us spend much time thinking about what we should NOT be doing. However, the most successful and productive business people are exceedingly selective about which projects they take on, and which ideas they decide to actualize. Commit to more “No’s” in 2010 with this post on honing your to-don’t list, and our brief guide to assessing which “side projects” you should (and should not) take on.
5. Don’t forget to feed the machine.
Did you know that skipping meals leads to poor cognitive functioning (and thus reduced productivity)? Or that exercising regularly can improve your time management? The worst – and most common – byproduct of overwork is that we fail to tend to the needs of our bodies. This neglect both increases our stress and anxiety, while reducing our ability to be organized and productive. Here are a few tips on embracing 4 Essential E’s – eating, exercising, encouraging, and explaining – for a saner work environment.
***This post by J.K. Glei is based on research by the Behance team. Behance runs the Behance Creative Network, the 99% productivity think thank, the Action Method project management application, and the Creative Jobs List.
