Stress ManagementStress Management

ClarityClarity

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2" in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "Yes."

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter - like your job, your house, your car.

The sand is everything else. The small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued "there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

Busy ScheduleBusy Schedule

Hectic schedule Organized schedule

•Blueprints

•Sewing patterns

•Business plans

Why not make plans for your time?

Clarify your lifeClarify your life

Prioritize your Prioritize your to-do listto-do list

Learn how to Learn how to say say NONO

Time Time managementmanagement

Plan out each Plan out each dayday

Establish Establish boundariesboundaries

Clarify Clarify expectationsexpectations

Time Management=Stress managementTime Management=Stress management

ExamplesExamples

Ways to politely say noWays to politely say no

““I’m sorry I won’t I’m sorry I won’t be able to.”be able to.”

““I have a previous I have a previous engagement.”engagement.”

““Thank you for Thank you for asking but…”asking but…”

““Thanks, but I’ll Thanks, but I’ll pass this time.”pass this time.”

Have a warm tone Have a warm tone of voiceof voice

Smile Smile Be BriefBe Brief No elaborate No elaborate

excusesexcuses

Wheel of LifeWheel of Life

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_93.htm

Tips to organized livingTips to organized living

Everything in its Everything in its placeplace

Start with small Start with small taskstasks

Clean as you goClean as you go Important Important

documents in safe documents in safe place place

Tangible inbox-for Tangible inbox-for home and workhome and work

Google calendar; or Google calendar; or daily plannerdaily planner

Tailor your system Tailor your system to your needsto your needs

““Landing Strip”-the Landing Strip”-the area or tray where area or tray where phones, cards, phones, cards, money, purses, and money, purses, and keys are dropped keys are dropped off when you come off when you come in the housein the house

Establish BoundariesEstablish Boundaries

Decide now what Decide now what YOUYOU will and will will and will not donot do

Some things are Some things are not necessary not necessary

You do not have You do not have to be a to be a superherosuperhero

Clarify ExpectationsClarify Expectations

Try to gain understanding of what is Try to gain understanding of what is expected of you from othersexpected of you from others

BossesBosses Committee LeadersCommittee Leaders Group OrganizationsGroup Organizations Friend/FamilyFriend/Family

Find your methodFind your method

Making lists and crossing them offMaking lists and crossing them off Using sticky notes-throwing them Using sticky notes-throwing them

away when finishedaway when finished Hand-written plannerHand-written planner Phone applicationPhone application Computer calendarComputer calendar

““Create a definite plan for carrying outCreate a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whet your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this pher you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.lan into action.

”” -Napoleon Hill-Napoleon Hill

Questions?Questions?

Comments?Comments?