With wedding weekends around every corner, peak season surely has you keeping busy while balancing all sorts of things at once--like a circus performer.
Although you may be a multitasking genius, it’s essential to maintain your sanity throughout your busy period, as this will not only make you happier but will also add to your productivity. Those who feel as though their schedules are out of control and are always scrambling to find a work-life balance are more prone to making mistakes due to undue stress levels.
The good news is that sanity and productivity can go hand-in-hand as long as you’re committed to getting organized and maintaining priorities.
HOW TO GET ORGANIZED
Our company has a lot of moving pieces, so it’s important for me to stay grounded to ensure that everything keeps flowing. I’ve found it especially helpful for me to get organized first thing in the morning, so my day’s schedule is mapped out in front of me. After that, I just have to follow it!
To-do lists can help you craft your day’s schedule. Take a look at all of the projects that you’re working on and what needs to be done for each; then you’ll need to prioritize the importance of each so you have an idea of what order to work in.
HOW TO STAY SANE
With that said, I save all of these productivity exercises for the office. Avoid looking at your email or starting to work before you actually get to work--otherwise, you’ll find yourself fired up early on, and it can sidetrack the entire day.
Beyond the 9-to-5, it’s important to prioritize family, hobbies, or other personal joys that will help keep you levelheaded and well rounded. For some, it may be daily meditation while for others it may be a morning run. Personally, I always make time for attending baseball games with my family and coaching my son’s team, as well as traveling to new places with them. Not only does it give you something to look forward to, but it also gives you new perspective on what really matters in life.
PREPARING FOR PRODUCTIVITY
Maintaining a happy balance between sanity and productivity might not only be about planning your day, but it may require planning out your whole year. If you have major projects on the horizon, it might make sense to save them for the quieter times of the year since they might not get finished if you attempt them during peak season.
WHAT IF IT’S THE CLIENT?
In certain situations, your time (and sanity) might be tested by clients who attempt to usurp your time. This is a difficult situation that should be treaded upon lightly, as you most likely don’t want to lose the business. The best bet is to set expectations from the very beginning to ensure everyone is on the same page. However, sometimes these boundaries are crossed and it becomes a lot to handle.
If you find yourself stressed out over clients' unrealistic demands, learn to say “no” or even “not now” to their requests. It may sound harsh, but it’s important for them to understand that you do have other clients as well as a life of your own.
If they just keep pushing, don’t be afraid to let them go. Whether it’s being honest and telling them you’re not the right fit or simply telling them you’re no longer available, you have to understand that it’s simply not worth the sleep loss or stress-related health issues. When I first started out, I was a yes-man because I was in it for the money. However, over the years, I’ve learned that your work-life balance is just as important as money, if not more.
HERE'S THE TAKE-AWAY
You heard it here, folks. Get organized and be productive, but don’t run your business at the expense of your mental (and even physical) health. Success doesn’t come from overworking yourself and burning out; it comes from constant vigilance and self-care.
Kevin Dennis is the owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, a full-service event company based in Livermore, Calif. Dennis is the current chapter president for Silicon Valley NACE, and the immediate past national president for WIPA.
