- Plan ahead. Keep pantry staples list, keep gas tank at least ½ full, make copies of keys. Check it off.
- Say NO! Don’t over schedule your time with extra events, projects, or invitations.
- Get up fifteen minutes earlier and/or go to bed fifteen minutes earlier. Give yourself a big hug.
- Don’t procrastinate. Do it NOW! Schedule projects, events, vacations, or even dinners ahead of time.
- Prepare for the morning the night before. Plan the first hour or two of the next day.
- Write it down! Don’t rely on your memory. Write each appointment on a calendar on in your PDA.
- Learn. Take a magazine, inspirational book or tapes/CDs with you to use while you wait.
- Add $9.00. Buy an extra book of postage stamps. Then your mail/bills won’t be delayed.
- Get a good night’s sleep or take a short power nap on the weekend. 20 minutes of real rest is divine.
- Ring, ring. Let the answering machine/message service take the call. But promptly retrieve messages.
- Slow down! It is permissible to stop and smell the roses, swing in the park, swim or relax.
- Simplify! Enlarge your file 13 (garbage box) so that you keep the things that you only need.
- Give gifts. Give away good items that you no longer need or want. Someone else may treasure it.
- Make personal or family time a priority. Build in some “me or us” time every day.
- Make one night a week family fun. Do something exciting with a member of your family.
- Turn off the television/video games. Tune into yourself and each other for real conversation.
- Adopt a hobby. Paint, build, exercise, practice an instrument, or make crafts together.
- Schedule household assignments. Create a simple reward system. Create a checklist.
- Volunteer! Research and commit to a volunteer project. Share your time and talent.
- Laugh, laugh, laugh! Keep a jokes file or watch a funny movie. Laughter is medicine for the soul.
- Stretch. Take mini stretch breaks after long meetings or sits. Stretch and breathe deep.
- Write weekly goals. Look for gaps and over commitment. Eliminate tension builders.
- Use email or voice mail reminders to yourself and others to cut out any stress.
- Enjoy a good meal or dessert or snack. Don’t just rush. Savor each flavor.
- Take breaks. Do NOT work through lunch. It is important to leave your desk.
- Look at your color choices. If you see that your predominant color is neutral or black, add color!
- Delegate. Choose responsible people, designate specific tasks, and let it go. Don’t micro-manage.
- Journal. Keep a journal. You will be amazed at how much you achieved in a year.
- Be a friend. Care about others and lean on them for comfort too. Confidential sharing relieves stress.
- Vacation. Plan relaxation days (bookend to a weekend) or plan a longer vacation to rest, relax, restore.
- Visualize. See your success in exact, vivid detail. Plan what success is and looks like ahead of time.
- Avoid negativity. Negative people or situations should be avoided. Maintain optimism.
- Worry less. Don’t deny your concerns, but spend minimal time worrying. Decide what must be done.
- Change. If your routine is reflexive, you do the same things. Change where you go or what you do.
- Be private. Allow time every day for privacy, quite time or solitude to reflect on what’s important.
- Do the hardest first! Get it out of the way so that you can pleasantly, leisurely enjoy the rest.
- Count. Count to fifty (50) before you speak. Pausing a few minutes before an outburst saves anxiety.
- Forgive. Standardize your expectations of yourself and others. Expecting perfection is stressful.
- Smile. Be optimistic and project joy. You will feel good and so will others around you.
- Gather loose change. Count all of your coins and give yourself a treat.
- Say Thank You! Express gratitude. Appreciate and recognize the goodness in others.
- Make something. Try origami; build a kite, ceramics, pottery. Find a creative outlet.
- Dance. Turn on the music. Dance, step lively for a few minutes a day.
- Talk positive. When your words are positive, encouraging others respond in kind.
- Sing. Let the melody flow. Even if it is only in the shower, add vocal rhythm to your day.
- Meditate. Be still. Listen to earth sounds, hear the birds chipper, connect with nature.
- Cry. Release tension with a good cry. Let it all out and let it go. Then, smile and move on.
- Try something new. Candy-making, belly dancing, sign-language, fitness, weights, bike riding, skating.
- Take a bath. No quick shower. Fill the tub with warm, soothing water and chill. Add aromatherapy.
- Redlight. While stopped at a red light, say to yourself, “I am happy” or “I am an achiever.”
- Take a class. If you are challenged in areas of your life, take a class. Learn something different.
- Renew every day. BOSS or TOSS something in your life everyday and live anew.
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