“Mastering the Balance: Are You Over-Planned or Overwhelmed?”
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” — Stephen Covey
Welcome to this week’s Peak Performance Mondays! After my last post, I took a bit of a hiatus to think, recharge, and make space for the voices of others.
It felt good, and I am now ready to get back into a new season of LA Phil performances, coaching, and being productive!
On that topic, let’s talk about a particularly tricky part of getting things done…finding the balance between being reactive and overly proactive.
Actual photo of a highly productive creative managing their enormous to-do list. 🤣
I’ve recently found myself in a bit of a productivity bind. As someone who tends to be proactive, my to-do lists and management systems became so bloated that I was falling behind on basic tasks. Whoops!
So, I tried something different: react immediately to incoming requests and handle them on the spot, rather than adding them to an ever-growing list. This approach has surprisingly worked well, and I want to share some thoughts with you.
Practical Example: Just last week, I received a text from a colleague asking for my dog sitter’s contact. It would have taken me 30 seconds to respond, but instead, I put it on my to-do list and forgot about it for almost a week.
If I had just handled it right away, it would have been done and off my plate. Let’s dig into a few actionable things you can apply to your productivity this week.
💡 Quick Tips:
1. Handle Immediate Tasks: If a task takes less than five minutes, do it now. This keeps your list manageable and your mind clear.
2. Set Boundaries for Reactivity: Allocate specific times to check and respond to messages. This prevents constant interruptions and keeps you focused.
3. Balance Proactivity with Flexibility: Sometimes, proactive planning is essential, but not every task can be handled in five minutes. Schedule time for longer tasks, but stay adaptable for immediate needs.
4. Use a Prioritization Matrix: Evaluate tasks based on urgency and importance. This helps in deciding whether to react immediately or plan ahead.
5. Review and Adjust: Regularly assess your productivity strategy. If you notice your system becoming overwhelming, adjust your approach to maintain balance.
✅ Action Item of the Week: Identify three small tasks or requests that you can handle immediately. Execute them today to experience the benefits of a more reactive approach.
By balancing your reactive and proactive strategies, you can improve your efficiency and reduce overwhelm.
🔜 What’s Next? Next Monday, we’ll explore the concept of finding middle ground in decision-making and how to avoid black-and-white thinking.
Thanks for diving into this week’s Peak Performance Mondays. Now, go handle those quick tasks!
Chris @ Honesty Pill Coaching
P.S. The next cohort of The Audition Accelerator is enrolling RIGHT NOW! Curious? Sign up for a free discovery call with me using the button below.
