Set Your Own Pace

The system always taxes its elements.
-Unknown

Multi-tasking is the term used to describe the juggling of multiple priorities. We can learn techniques and strategies to work more quickly and efficiently. This is very helpful in getting a lot of work done in a short time.

Our juggling skills might be rewarded by our supervisor at work for having a high level of productivity. We feel good to check things off of our "To Do" list. We can adopt this pace as our default state.

But, we need to know when to use it and when to turn it off.

Problems can develop when we try to live our personal lives by continually doing more and more. Our inability to keep up with an unreasonable pace can result in frustration, conflicts, and over time, erosion of our self-esteem.

What do we do?

Slow down. Develop a pace for your life that is based on human speed. This is closer to walking to the mailbox than tapping on a keyboard.

Practice focusing on one thing at a time.

Make an effort to do less, not more.

Set aside time to do only one thing.

Accept that some things won't get done on time.

Look at your schedule of work, family, and individual commitments and ask your self if they are reasonable. Reschedule things until they fit comfortably.

Recognize activities that "speed you up" (driving in traffic, watching TV, phone calls, email) and activities that help slow you down (hot tub, massage, meditation, nap). Ask your self if you are doing too much of one and not enough of the other.

Practice your"refusal skills"; say no to taking on too much.

Easier said than done, it's true. Some things are out of our control. At least we can make a conscious decision to get back on track as soon as possible.

Since there is always too much to do and not enough time to do it, we must learn to set a sustainable pace for ourselves. Life is more like a marathon than a sprint. Set your own pace and stick to it.
Live Well.