What do you do when it’s the holidays and your work is extremely busy and it seems that you just can’t get it all done?! My work often slows down a bit during this time of year, but I find myself with quite a number of important and time-sensitive tasks that need my immediate attention. Add the day-to-day e-mails, phone calls and drop by visits to these tasks as well as the Christmas potluck meals and you begin to feel the stress . . . So how do we get through this time and accomplish our goals yet still manage to enjoy these holiday get-togethers?

When I begin to feel overwhelmed with activity, it helps me if I can accomplish something. Specific daily lists – that is what I use, both at work and at home. The lists I keep at work are on small sticky notes so that they are easily disposed of when completed. This has gained me recognition over the years. I have a cartoon a coworker gave me many years ago about someone’s desk covered in stickies. People laugh at all the notes, but it works for me. When I have a daily short list of two or three specific goals to reach that day, I feel more organized and accomplish more. Completing tasks is energizing and motivates me to do more.

Would you like to share your secret to dealing with stress?