When I sat down to my desk this morning, I had a million things on my mind. I should do this. I need to get that done. I’m behind on this, this and this. I did a few small tasks, and then finally decided to step back and analyze why I was feeling so much pressure and tension.
As the thoughts finally settled in my mind, I decided I’d pour myself a nice hot cup of coffee and sit down here to share them with you. Pour yourself a cup too - we’ll just take a quick 5-minute coffee break, I promise…
I have deadlines. Some of which I am behind on. I have things that should have been done yesterday, things that should have been done last month, and things I should get done before the end of the day today.
I’m sure you can relate.
Now some of these things are quite important, with very real deadlines that hold very real consequences. Others are self-imposed pressures, and truth be known the sky will not fall if they are put off another 48 hours.
You have have to, need to, and then want to.
I’m not suggesting that you procrastinate, or that you avoid doing things that need to be done - because that will get you nowhere real fast. I think we’ve all figured that out by now 
But pressure, or self-imposed stress, can be very counter-productive.
There’s a difference between a huge dose of self-motivation and working happily towards that highly desired sense of accomplishment… and pushing yourself to your breaking point with negative motivation (you’re just getting further and further behind. if you dont get this done, the whole world will come to an end. you’ll never get ahead like this. etc).
The beginning of a New Year can be a great time to find the motivation to make big changes, or do big things in your life. But as the New Year gets underway, many people find themselves more and more discouraged.
You have the same challenges, the same issues, as “last year”. Nothing magical happened overnight when the clock struck 12 to help you be a better person or achieve shiny new goals. It’s all a state of mind.
It’s going to take some time to make changes, and to achieve those goals we set for ourselves. It doesnt all happen overnight. We simply have to be methodical about taking action, and be both persistent and consistent.
The bottom line is that there is no reason to get stressed or discouraged.
As for me, I’m a single mother to a pre-teen and a teenager, both of which have been out of school for the past couple of weeks. It’s bitter cold outside here in Tennessee as winter finally sets in… and we are all home together with a mild case of cabin fever.
Today is not the day for me to put the weight of my world on my shoulders. As I poured myself that cup of coffee, I said Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. The kids will start back to school next week, I’ll continue to make progress towards my tasks & goals, and all will be just fine.
Dont be hard on yourself either. If you’re feeling the pressure, or feeling a bit discouraged as the first week of the New Year comes to an end… take stock. It’s all good. And take a break to enjoy the weekend. We’ll get back at it full-force on Monday… together
Best,
19 responses so far ↓
Jackie // Jan 5, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I am sitting here with you, drinking my coffee (out of the Christmas mug I got for Christmas
)
Its great that we are in a new year, we can usually start or finish something whenever we feel it is the right time to do so…taking a break never hurt anyone!
Maurice // Jan 5, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Hey Lynn,
I was thinking along the same thing before checking your blog. I just finished writing my goals down for 2008, like personal, spiritual, relationship and everything else. And what I realized, which you asserted to, is that it won’t do any good without taking any action and being persistent and consistent.
Much success & God Bless for 2008 & beyond!
Maurice
Chris Jacobson // Jan 5, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Lynn, one of the great things about working for yourself are that there are no deadlines.
Lynn Terry // Jan 5, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Ahh but life is full of them - taxes, schedules, meetings, bills, rebates, you name it.
But yes, fortunately my lifestyle affords much more flexibility than “the norm” and I am grateful for that!
John Yeng // Jan 5, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hi Lynn,
thanks for sharing your words of encouragement to start off 2008….I for one will definitely need to be remided of what you said as I’m planning “tons” of stuff to roll out this coming year !
BTW, just dropped you a PM to inform you about my ‘firesale’ project which has just started….hope to receive your reply as soon as possible, thanks !
John Yeng
Cynthia // Jan 5, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Taxes! Mulling that over my cup of coffee right now but definitely joining you, giving myself a break. I can relax for a day or two without serious repercussions.
All the best,
~Cynthia
Wes // Jan 6, 2008 at 3:00 am
I’m relaxing too…over a cup of …Well more like a bottle of beer :)…I too was feeling a little pressure earlier this week about getting started with a big bang in 08’. It’s nice to know that the feeling was natural. I created a task completion method for myself.
Basically I write down my agenda for each day. This includes personal and business task. During the day I’ll cross things off the list which I accomplished. The items left on the list will carry over to the next day list.
This really has help me feel like I’m getting things done and staying on track. I also don’t feel the pressure I did before.
But I’m with your Lynn, breaks are good. I view the mind as a muscle which need a period of rest This is an essential requirement for any muscle to grow.
Tiffany // Jan 6, 2008 at 9:45 am
Thanks for the coffee Lynn
I am in hyperactive mode with regards to my business now…so energized I am in front of the puter for 12-15 hours a day….riding this New Year’s wave of productivity for all it is worth.
Stefani // Jan 6, 2008 at 11:10 am
I am enjoying a nice cold Pepsi instead!
Elizabeth Partin // Jan 6, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hi Lynn, One of the things I did get done on my to-do list was to join your elite forum. I am having a problem though. I can’t login to the elite forum or the regular forum with my user name and password. Can you help please.
Thanks, Elizabeth
Valerie // Jan 7, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thanks, Lynn. Sometimes I need a reminder to slow down and catch my breath.
I had a frustrating weekend. My computer contracted a virus last month. For the past month, I have spent hours battling with it, and finally broke down and bought another computer. But this one has Windows Vista and I seem to be getting stuck with glitches everywhere I turn. At one point yesterday, I sat down at the computer and stared at the screen and had an awful sensation that I had no idea what I was trying to do!!!
This morning I read your post, and somehow I feel calmer and ready to give it all another try.
Lynn Terry // Jan 7, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Its so great to hear from all of you and get some feedback too! It’s easy to feel isolated in your thoughts, or imagine that you are the only one thinking or feeling a certain way - when in truth we all face many of the same challenges.
I have a good feeling about the year ahead. And now that the kids have returned to their school schedule, and we are all getting back to our “routine”, I’m ready to dig in and *officially* kick off the New Year
Lynn Terry // Jan 7, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Elizabeth - I’ll send you an email. We’ll get that straightened out ASAP!
Dan Reinhold // Jan 7, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I needed this too.
And probably another new year to go with this one!
Paul Short // Jan 8, 2008 at 2:02 am
You certainly have a knack for “hit home” blof posts, Lynn.
The self imposed deadlines are the worse ones for me. I guess I feel that I’m letting myself down wen I don’t meet them.
My one and only resolution this past new years eve was to set less demanding deadlines for myself - then add on a couple days for good measure
Paul Short // Jan 8, 2008 at 2:04 am
LOL, “blof” posts. Resolution #2, check spelling in blof comments
Lynn Terry // Jan 8, 2008 at 8:59 am
LOL Paul
Great to hear from you!
I do agree with you there. In the past I have tried very strict schedules and plans for myself… only to find it incredibly frustrating.
As a single mother, my day can go haywire in an instant - and I had to remind myself that the very reason I work from home and for myself is for flexibility and more freedom in my lifestyle.
So I personally think thats a great resolution!
I’ve done a lot of thinking about all of this over the past couple of days… and have come to realize its truly just a state of mind. Things are doing just fine, going great, and this is going to be an incredible year - its all on track. So I am plugging along with the seemingly overwhelming list for the week — with a much fresher outlook now
Brad // Jan 8, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Lynn,
You harmonize with my feelings.
TYVM
Lynn Terry // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:34 am
You’re most welcome, Brad
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