Relieving Stress as a Deadline Draws Near – Part II
(Part Two of a Two-Part Series)
When you have a big deadline just weeks away, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. We congratulate you for all the good business, but know you need more than our good wishes in order to survive the stress. Last week we gave you these 10 stress-relieving techniques to help you better manage the chaos of tax season and other big deadlines:
1. Get up 15 minutes early.
2. Take the time to plan your day.
3. Be realistic.
4. Avoid procrastination.
5. Tackle unpleasant tasks first.
6. When you’ve reached maximum stress-capacity, take a break.
7. Schedule breaks into your day.
8. Everyday treat yourself to something you enjoy.
9. Do things right the first time.
10. Get enough sleep.
Here are 10 more that we hope will carry you through the rest of the year for all your big deadlines and for next year’s tax season.
11. Rethink all current appointments; think twice before scheduling anymore.
When facing a big deadline, it would be a good idea to look at all your appointments and question their necessity. People will understand if you must reschedule when faced with a lot of pressure. And don’t schedule any new appointments unless absolutely necessary.
12. Schedule time for yourself and your family.
Your family probably wonders if you’ll ever resurface and spend quality time with them. While it may not seem like you have any time to spare, it can be extremely rejuvenating to take an hour or two and do something relaxing with your family. It also can give you the perspective you need to make it through the most hectic times.
13. Work one project at a time.
When you look at all the files on your desk or imagine the tasks you still have left to do, it can be paralyzing. But rather than thinking of what’s left to do, take it one project at a time. And be sure to congratulate yourself at the successful completion of each task.
14. Recognize when things go well and be grateful.
At stressful times in our lives we have a tendency to look at the negative and feel discouraged by all the things that seem to go wrong. Instead, make a conscious effort to acknowledge the positive and be grateful when things go well. This will help your mood tremendously which will make tackling all those tasks much easier.
15. Organize your office space.
Often we feel stressed because our work environment is cluttered and chaotic. Piles of paperwork and a messy desktop not only cause stress, but it makes you less productive. Imagine all the time you would save if everything was where it belonged. And imagine how good you would feel to work in a clean and organized workspace.
16. Have something to do in case you have to wait.
Getting stuck in rush-hour traffic or in a backed-up doctor’s office can be stressful, especially if you spend that time thinking about all the things you could be doing. Anticipate these moments and carry work with you. Just be sure it’s travel-friendly and kept safe.
17. Don’t spend your free time worrying.
When you do finally get some free time to spend relaxing or with your family, don’t let the stress of work follow you. Give yourself permission to take a mental vacation from work so that you can enjoy the time and recharge your battery.
18. Do something for someone else.
Often the best cure for personal worry and stress is to do something kind for someone else. It will help shift the focus from you to someone in need, and you’ll feel good. Chances are you’ll be able to recognize the value of your deed and will be the object of someone’s gratitude.
19. Delegate.
When possible, delegate tasks. Your family will probably be more than willing to help if it means they can spend more time with a less stressed you! Consider simple tasks that don’t require your knowledge or expertise (filing, organizing, mailing, etc.).
20. Plan your celebration.
You should always take the time to reward yourself for work well done. And planning some type of celebration, regardless of how small, will give you something to look forward to when it’s all over.
Be sure to take care of yourself; you’ll be surprised at how much easier work seems when you’ve taken the time to relieve stress. Good luck!
To read more stress-relieving techniques, visit the National Headache Foundation.
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