I’m assuming you’ve basically got a lot to do?
Write down the outcomes you want for the week - it’s all about outcomes
Write a list
At the top of the list write:
- done is better than perfect
- prioritise, delegate, dump
then a list of what you think you need to do/get other people to do to reach your outcomes
Then turn it into a schedule Mon-Thurs. leave Friday for overruns if possible. Be realistic about time - base allocated task time on how long it too last time. As part of your schedule include buffer periods between focus work, downtime and whatever will make you feel supported - don’t isolate yourself.
If you can’t fit all the to dos on there - some of it has to go. Delegate or dump or renegotiate deadlines.
Now you have a working schedule, look at it again. Is there anything else you can delegate?
Once you’ve done that, go through and make a note on what job this piece of work has to do, and from there, what really needs doing, and what standard it has to be - it’s very easy to slip into doing everything 9/10 when for half of it 5/10 will do.
For any one difficult tasks (emotionally or cognitively) break them down into small parts to be less threatening. If you have to have a tricky conversation about something, have a Google to remind yourself of techniques of how to do that.
Make a note of when you need to check in with other people on their progress. (Sooner rather than later is the rule)
Then review and adjust every morning, be really ruthless about pushing or renegotiating deadlines for stuff if the one key thing you need to do isn’t getting done. Don’t be shy of going to talk to your boss if you have a problem or need advice. People like communication.
Make time to do something for yourself at the beginning and the end of each day. Give yourself a Pat on the back when things get done. Comfort yourself when something goes wrong. Be your own best mate.
Generally I find using the Pomodoro technique - 25 mins work / 5 min break - repeat 3 times then a longer break - keeps me moving along.
If you have a tendency to freeze under pressure, the technique of rotating tasks, and reducing it to 5 mins blocks if you are completely stuck is helpful.
Box breathing or the 3 minute breathing technique are both good for managing moments of panic. As is reminding yourself that your primal brain can’t tell the different between a looming deadline and a tiger so the terror you are feeling isn’t actually real.