During busy times, it’s not unusual for otherwise successful leaders to self-sabotage with overpacked workdays. They take pride in planning out their schedules in meticulous detail, even down to the quarter hour. Their focus is on maximizing productivity at all costs.
Maybe you know this world. Your day is packed. It’s not unusual for you to rush from one meeting to the next, several times a day. You’ve got big goals and your calendar reflects them.
The Problem With Overpacked Workdays
And then it happens. Your day is derailed because other things come up. Other people’s problems.
These aren’t emergencies but rather little tasks that people need you to do. You can’t refuse these requests. They can come from your supervisors or team members. You need to help them.
When this happens, you start to panic because these little distractions put you behind on your productivity timeline. Now, there’s no way you can get everything done.
If this sounds familiar, then you’ve fallen into the trap of overpacked workdays. You filled your day with projects and tasks and left no time for the unexpected.
Take Control of Your Schedule
To avoid the growing anxiety you feel for not accomplishing as much as you thought, make sure you leave some breathing room in your schedule. It can be a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the afternoon. The time is blocked off and protected
This way, when an unexpected need comes up, you can address it, without falling into a panic because you’ve given yourself a schedule buffer.
Embrace Free Time
Let’s say there are no urgent requests from your colleagues. Congratulations, you have just given yourself some free time.
Keep in mind that free time isn’t wasted time. Sometimes we need a few minutes just to think. Doing nothing for a few minutes may be the best time you spend all day.
I’ve seen leaders at many businesses complain that employees don’t produce any innovative ideas, even though their staff is never given a chance to think. Being busy all the time does not give you the opportunity to dream big.
And free time may give you the chance to make that extra phone call to a customer that produces future business. While there’s no reason for the call, a little extra communication isn’t a bad thing. You don’t get the time for these activities if your schedule sees you racing from one item to the next.
Embrace giving yourself some free time during your day. Your success may not be the product of a full calendar.
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