As you can probably tell from my lack of regular consistent posting the stress of preparing for the Atlanta Gift Show, Christmas products, the end of the school year, work, life have all started to kind of creep into my regular weekly routine. It is interesting because when things are stressful and intense it is like the one who yells loudest gets ALL the attention. Similar to my children fighting for attention from me when I am trying to work. I tend to put out fire after fire, instead of having a plan. So being of total stressed mind and exhausted body, I started thinking about what I could and should do to uh....move things along:
1. Decorate with a little Flouncy Flouncy
I decorate, shop a tad, or more accurately re-decorate my house, my office, my back yard, my car - uh, well not the car per say. But that might not be a bad idea with some of those things to hang on the mirror that smell nice, some new seat covers....sorry I uh digress. I have found that though this is NOT the best use of my time it helps me sleep at night and relaxes me. Exercising, reading, drinking, eating, meditating, napping - nope, nope, nope - move some furniture around and hang a few pictures - bingo!
Have you ever just re-arranged the items in your house? Or painted something? Paired it with some other item, created a whole new look? No?....well, I have. It makes my house seem fresh, new - it makes me very happy. It also forces me to throw out old items, put things away, clean and basically do some spring cleaning.
I did this all last night as the kids played, and watched a little TV. I did not work on wholesale documents, I did not paint new designs, I did not write a press release, I did not put a sales package together I did not (gulp) blog. But, I feel great! I feel re-freshed. I got in the office today and got straight to work.
I think you need to find out what relaxes you, make it work for you and do that. When you have a to do list that is longer than your arm it helps to walk away. Now don't get me wrong, I am gonna pay for it by working late tonight, tomorrow, this weekend. But, um my house looks great!
I really have the urge to paint my bedroom this weekend (please don't tell my husband). I still got a little Martha in me I guess. Okay somebody stop me before I hurt myself.
2. Dressing down, waaay down
I will not degrade myself by showing you a photograph of my recent work attire, but trust me it was not pretty. Anything that includes sweats, pig tails, no shower, no make up...is not an attractive look for me. Jeans and t-shirts have also been pretty popular staple for the last week or so. Now, this is a step up from what I would have worn had I still worked out of the home (My Mom thought the slippers I wore last winter," were not very professional" as she reminded me of it again this year) a few years ago.
Although it may not be "professional" or give off a great first impression - it is what I need at this time. Selfishly I need to do what works for me. And since I have more paper on my desk than in my file cabinets at this very moment, I am pretty sure my casual attire will help me get the work I need to get done. I know other entrepreneurs that handle stress differently, some don't sleep, some get massages. Normally I would argue that leaving work is selfish and not productive.....however, being in the thick of it and suffocating from the mountain of work to do - I say go ahead. Find what relaxes you and do it, do it fast. Before that nervous tick starts to set in.....
To quote a former employee (who just graduated and is on to bigger and better things)would say, "Go find your happy place Jamie!" Clara, thank you and I am doing just that. Welcome to the working world! Good luck!
It's me...the one who can't sleep! The one who sends you emails at 3 in the morning. Just a note to those other over stressed/sleepless zombies out there. Don't let the pharmacist suggest an herbal remedy to help fall asleep, they don't work. What does? A beer and a half and going to the movie theatre. Not the most comfortable, but put me out like a light!
Posted by: London | June 06, 2007 at 10:32 AM
It's me...the one who can't sleep! The one who sends you emails at 3 in the morning. Just a note to those other over stressed/sleepless zombies out there. Don't let the pharmacist suggest an herbal remedy to help fall asleep, they don't work. What does? A beer and a half and going to the movie theatre. Not the most comfortable, but put me out like a light!
Posted by: London | June 06, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Okay if we are being honest a beer or two and sitting through a bad children's movie will knock me out too!
Posted by: Jamie Lentzner | June 06, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Hey Jamie :)
I'm there with you! I'm absolutely relating to everything you posted....getting ready for the ABC Kids Expo...I'm going nuts! Hope things go well at the Atlanta Show...I know it's just around the corner :)
Posted by: Joanie | June 06, 2007 at 03:09 PM