In a new report by OHID, nearly one in seven Britons experience anxiety about the week ahead, dubbed the “Sunday Scaries”. Also known as Monday Morning Blues, or that Back-to-School Feeling, it’s something we’ve all experienced. And it’s not necessarily exclusive to a Sunday evening…

• Overwhelm thinking about your to-do list…
• A heightened sense of Anxiety about a looming deadline or big project…

This can lead to a lack of sleep, which affects our ability to make informed decisions, and can impact how we act and behave around our team.

Whatever it may be, you’re not alone.

But it’s vital to take control of the situation and seek help from your business network, community, partners, coaches, family, friends, bookshelf, online help…and this week I want you to think about:

How can you anticipate stressful situations and deal with them?

For example, when we go on holiday, we always get to the airport (way too!) early and we plan in advancethe parking, where we’ll eat because the kids don’t like plane food, who is responsible for what bag (and child!) at security, what “essentials” we want to buy at Duty Free so we can allow time.

It takes the stress away. And it can be the same for your business if you start implementing some quick fixes in your business…

1/. Stop Interruptions:

 Keep a log of every time you’re interrupted so that you stop them (i.e., provide a training manual, give your team praise, and feedback, or give the authority to a team member).

2/. Focus on the Important:

Stop getting distracted on ‘urgent’ activities that demand immediate attention; the phone ringing is urgent but may not be important.  ‘Important’ activities get you from A to B based on your goals and vision; if you don’t do this then you will never reach your desired result; but the problem is that these are proactive.  You need to simplify, eliminate, or delegate those tasks that are ‘urgent’ but not ‘important’.

3/. Be Realistic – Land One Plane At A Time:

There is no such thing as multi-tasking!  So, stop trying to do too much at once; the key is to land one plane at a time.

4/. Allocate Time:

If you’re not allocating your time, then you’re going to be running around like a headless chicken creating a chaotic environment around you. You need to block out time in your diary for all the activities you need to work on – including planning, thinking, even your own leisure time.

5/. Plan Ahead:

Finally, allocate 90 minutes every Thursday to close the current week off, and to plan the following week so you hit Monday running.

As I always say:

Business isn’t that complicated; people just make it that way.

Have a great week and let me know how you get on with the above.

BW,

Martin

Martin Norbury

Investor | Business Mentor at Advocate | Author of I don’t work Fridays

PS: Never underestimate the power of sleep! Here is how we helped business owner Sam: