Push the Reset Button

 Growing up, the original Nintendo was a smash hit in our home. Mario could keep us entertained for hours. Rad Racer would keep me coming back for more.  If you played the now ancient gaming system then you remember there were only two buttons on the front of the console, “Power” and “Reset”.  To get the game going, you would press the “Power” button.  However, if things became a little too complicated in the game or there was a malfunction game itself you could push the “Reset” button and begin again with a clean slate.

We are really used pressing the “Power” button in life.  We get our schedules rolling, our appointments coming in, our tasks going out and busyness increases with each day.  Every now and again, things get so busy, so complicated, so overwhelming that it may be time to press the “Reset” button on life.  No… I’m not talking about taking a vacation or starting over in a new career.  Pressing the “Reset” button is all about bringing things back to a manageable pace.

Here are a few signs that you need to “Reset”…

• People tell you they can’t email you something because your inbox is so full
•  You are just coming off of a prolonged project that has caused you to put much of your day-to-day tasks on the back-burner.
•  Anxiety is your reality when you think about what you have to get done.
• Your family or your team notices that you appear burnt out.

If any of those describe you, it is time to press the “Reset” button.  It may seem like a time waster at first, but in the end you will be more productive.  Here’s how you do it…

1. Shut The Door – Yes I realize this flies in the face of relationships, but you will need concentrated time here.  You can keep to door open 360 out of 365 days a year, but you need this time.  So ask a friend to watch the kids or tell your assistant that you need some space.  
2. Clear Your Communications – Get as many emails answered, calls returned, and snail mail replied to as possible.  If people are not waiting for an answer from you, they are less likely to continue to apply pressure to you.
3.   Plan Your Attack – Spend some time with your calendar and your task list and plan out how you will achieve the things you need to get done.  Don’t get caught in the trap of getting so overwhelmed with what you are writing down that you begin doing it.  The most highly productive people in life are planners!  Spend some time looking at how you will get done what you need to get done by setting a timeline and a flow of  daily tasks.

Once you have taken the morning, afternoon, or entire day to do this it is time to work your plan.  Start as soon as possible and stick to it.  Because you pushed the “Reset” button you will feel confident that you can get it done and you will reach the goal of getting to a more manageable pace.