Comments on: 3 Ways To Stop Overcommitting http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/ Executive Development, Business, Coaching and Social Media Fun Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:24:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michelle Poteet http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1139 Michelle Poteet Fri, 21 May 2010 13:45:45 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1139 One of the things that I share with my clients is my Daily 3x3. It allows them to realistically commit to 3 personal "to-do's" , 3 business "to-do's" and 3 'for others' "to-do's". By setting this realistic set of goals for ourselves we can stay focused on what "must" get done today and not get overwhelmed (and distracted) by our ever growing "to-do" list. By keeping a close eye on our daily 3x3 "must-do's" and another eye on our calendar we have a clear picture of what's on our plate and can work to not over-commit ourselves. That said, the first category I always have my clients start with is personal - for the exact reasons that you listed above. If we don't take care of ourselves (health, fitness, mental wellness) we cannot, I repeat CANNOT take care of anything or anyone else! Great post Alicia! Thanks! One of the things that I share with my clients is my Daily 3×3. It allows them to realistically commit to 3 personal “to-do’s” , 3 business “to-do’s” and 3 ‘for others’ “to-do’s”. By setting this realistic set of goals for ourselves we can stay focused on what “must” get done today and not get overwhelmed (and distracted) by our ever growing “to-do” list. By keeping a close eye on our daily 3×3 “must-do’s” and another eye on our calendar we have a clear picture of what’s on our plate and can work to not over-commit ourselves. That said, the first category I always have my clients start with is personal – for the exact reasons that you listed above. If we don’t take care of ourselves (health, fitness, mental wellness) we cannot, I repeat CANNOT take care of anything or anyone else!

Great post Alicia! Thanks!

]]> By: Alicia Arenas http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1136 Alicia Arenas Tue, 18 May 2010 13:19:22 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1136 Kevin, one of my mentors used to call what you are describing "Be here now." It's being fully focused and completely listening. It's not easy to do! Elmer, you are 100% correct. Meghan, I admire your determination to live in the moment. What a beautiful description! Thanks Mike! Ben, you hit on one of the most important things entrepreneurs need to remember - involve your spouse. He/she will be affected by every decision we make. I have yet to see a small business owner be happy and successful without buy-in from their spouse. Colleen - It's working for you? Woo-hoo! Todd, the life cycle of yes-itis is fascinating. I had the very same experience. And (as I'm sure happened to you) my business grew when I started saying no. Pattie, you raise an excellent point. Overcommitment leads to broken trust. Broken trust is very difficult (and sometimes impossible) to regain. Kevin, one of my mentors used to call what you are describing “Be here now.” It’s being fully focused and completely listening. It’s not easy to do!

Elmer, you are 100% correct.

Meghan, I admire your determination to live in the moment. What a beautiful description!

Thanks Mike!

Ben, you hit on one of the most important things entrepreneurs need to remember – involve your spouse. He/she will be affected by every decision we make. I have yet to see a small business owner be happy and successful without buy-in from their spouse.

Colleen – It’s working for you? Woo-hoo!

Todd, the life cycle of yes-itis is fascinating. I had the very same experience. And (as I’m sure happened to you) my business grew when I started saying no.

Pattie, you raise an excellent point. Overcommitment leads to broken trust. Broken trust is very difficult (and sometimes impossible) to regain.

]]> By: Pattie Porter http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1134 Pattie Porter Mon, 17 May 2010 23:12:18 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1134 I have been sooo guilty of this, and your words ring in my ear often about letting our business support the life we want to live. This was so powerful when I heard this...thank you for that gift. The other point I wanted to make about overcommitment is the trust we can often break when we cannot fulfill all of our commitments. Whether that be trust with our spouses, kids, business partners, clients, etc. When we realize we have done this again, we must keep those lines of communication open, and if we need, renegotiate those commitments. I have been sooo guilty of this, and your words ring in my ear often about letting our business support the life we want to live. This was so powerful when I heard this…thank you for that gift.

The other point I wanted to make about overcommitment is the trust we can often break when we cannot fulfill all of our commitments. Whether that be trust with our spouses, kids, business partners, clients, etc. When we realize we have done this again, we must keep those lines of communication open, and if we need, renegotiate those commitments.

]]> By: Todd Schnick http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1133 Todd Schnick Mon, 17 May 2010 17:12:58 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1133 Great stuff. When I started my business, I had a severe case of yes-itis. I am only now extricating myself from that problem. Thanks for this post - always helps to hear someone else's take. [And thanks for the kind mention!] Great stuff. When I started my business, I had a severe case of yes-itis. I am only now extricating myself from that problem. Thanks for this post – always helps to hear someone else’s take.

[And thanks for the kind mention!]

]]> By: Colleen Pence http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1132 Colleen Pence Mon, 17 May 2010 16:51:13 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1132 Love this post, Alicia. I've been putting these principles into practice (and on my calendar) since our last talk. It's really helping me prioritize. I still have a ways to go to recover from Yes-itis, but I'm on my way thanks to you! Love this post, Alicia. I’ve been putting these principles into practice (and on my calendar) since our last talk. It’s really helping me prioritize. I still have a ways to go to recover from Yes-itis, but I’m on my way thanks to you!

]]> By: Ben Eubanks http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1131 Ben Eubanks Mon, 17 May 2010 16:42:29 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1131 I'm all about some overcommitting. :-) Seriously, two things... First, I try to keep from committing to anything perpetual without serious thought and discussion with my wife. Second, If I don't have room in my schedule at the moment, I will keep track of the projects that have a definite end date and slide something else into the queue when that date arrives. I can do any number of projects that are finite. It's committing to those that go on forever that keep accumulating until they crush you. Good post! Ben I’m all about some overcommitting. :-) Seriously, two things…

First, I try to keep from committing to anything perpetual without serious thought and discussion with my wife.

Second, If I don’t have room in my schedule at the moment, I will keep track of the projects that have a definite end date and slide something else into the queue when that date arrives.

I can do any number of projects that are finite. It’s committing to those that go on forever that keep accumulating until they crush you.

Good post!

Ben

]]> By: Michael VanDervort http://www.sanerapdc.com/2010/05/3-ways-to-stop-overcommitting/comment-page-1/#comment-1130 Michael VanDervort Mon, 17 May 2010 14:18:59 +0000 http://www.sanerapdc.com/?p=2938#comment-1130 Very nice article, Alicia, and thanks for raising points that each of us can all too often lose track of in our day to day work! Very nice article, Alicia, and thanks for raising points that each of us can all too often lose track of in our day to day work!

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