TMI
TMI…Too Much Information! I certainly feel overloaded everyday as I try to make sense of what is urgent, what is important, what is not important and what is junk.  

My days become history and before I know it, it’s the next day. My time seems to run together, and sometimes seeming like I didn’t speak to people that live in my heart for months. 

Just take a look at the health and fitness information. This topic alone is indeed overwhelming. Should I take this? Should I not eat that? Maybe I have “that” so I should worry! What if I don’t do the 9 things I am supposed to do before bedtime to be healthy? 

I call it the land of “What if?” If I let my mind start go there, I feel “incredibly tired” before I even begin the day. 

If this feels familiar to you, let me share some ideas that have helped me gain energy, stay focused and be discerning with my time.

ipad

1) Checking email (I started with the toughest one). My goal: I will control my email instead of my emails controlling me. I made a deal with myself to check email before work and after work daily for 7 days.

This commitment took me 3 weeks to complete; however I finally won. I believe I had to go through withdrawal from thoughts like, “I might miss something; someone emailed and I am needed urgently; what if no one emailed me?”

When I remember to remember my promise to myself, I feel empowered and energized on the subject of email. I am in charge! When I forget, I lose the uncluttered energy that I gained.

2) Make Folders! When I discovered that I could make folders on my email account, I set myself free! Free from my nagging thoughts of “Do I have time to read it now? If not, I better just keep it. Hence the inbox of 1534 emails waiting for me. What if I trash it and need it later? What if I made a mistake and deleted it?

It may sound basic to you; however learning about folders changed my life. I discovered that 90% of the time, when I finally reviewed the emails, eBooks, conference calls or the last chance offers, I really didn’t give a darn anymore. Next stop, TRASH bin!

folders

3) I am reading an incredibly profound older book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey. Steven says the best way to look at each hour, day, year or life, is to begin with the end in mind.

Unknown

So, beginning at the end of the whole shebang, I find that I am thinking about what legacy do I want to leave? What do I want my family to say about me? What will people who have done business say? What are my friend’s memories of me?

When I let this be my highest priority, I have a measuring stick to help me decide what to do with my time, what is absolutely necessary, what is urgent, what can wait and what can be deleted from my life.

Next time I remember to remember this, I will call my son or my friends instead of checking email.  I will make time for the old-fashioned voice-to-voice communication and build better relationships. In the end for me, it is the only thing that really matters. 

old phone

 

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