Programming and travelling is a bad combination. If I have a lot of tasks - I don't travel and this is my pain. But I try to do something about it somehow.
A few projects, several dozen emails and many conversations I couldn't have written this article. I had 100 things ahead of me. I was sleeping a little. I was eternally exhausted. I had no time. Yes. Permanently. Invitingly - uninterested - Refugee. If you also happen to you, read on, I will share my way of dealing with such situations.
There is a book the title of which illustrates perfectly the state in which I sometimes find myself:"You Have Too Much Shit". There is a plethora of current issues, not just professional ones. On the one hand, a demanding boss, on the other hand a leaking tap in the kitchen, a child is roaring behind the wall, and in-laws fall in 5 minutes with an unexpected visit. How can you not crazy about this mill here? Reduce the mill!
Write everything down at the beginning.
It is more difficult to say, it is harder. Simply start acting! To start with, just a simple list of things that hang on us. If there are really many of them, divide them into spheres, e. g.:
work (all that involves making a living wage)
house (it is what you have to do at home, for the family, etc.)
Out of home (purchases, banks, friends and exits)
This is where the real challenge begins. Look at your list if it's not as frightening as you thought you'd just start to complete tasks according to the following. the priorities you consider appropriate. If you cannot make a decision, you will have a much more difficult challenge.
Cut like a samurai
It may seem strange, but consider if there are such things you MUST NOT do. Simply that. Difficult nut to crack, but do you need an additional project after hours or taking work home? Is this weekend the best time to meet in the city? Or do you accept guests if the only thing you dream of is a warm bed? Or is it better to go for a walk instead of falling asleep all week long? It is extremely difficult, sometimes even painful. From my experience, if something raises your doubts and you are already overwhelmed, it is better to give up this activity. Sooner or later, it will turn out to be an overprogramming affliction. In the project you don't give it all. You will not be able to communicate with your loved ones. And the task queue's spectrum will give you unnecessary haste to meet your friends. You do not need it. It is better to give up here and now to have more time and energy in a moment.
Don`t promise!
I have learned not to promise myself when I am in a crowd of tasks. By removing items from my list, I can't immediately create a buffer that will fall asleep for me in the future. If I give up something, then I am only making an inner promise that I will come back to the subject when there is better time for it. If I don't come back, what I didn't seem to care about it. And when I promised to come back to work in a week's time, and I will not keep my commitments? This buffered weight will return to me with doubled force and it will be harder to give it up for the second time. It is not worth doing this if you want to bury yourself and finally "have time".
Outsourcing
And literally, and metaphorically. Literally, because you can share some of your responsibilities with others, whether at home or at work, there is no shame in saying that you say "I can't do it, don't help". On the contrary, it strengthens bonds and allows you to meet real friends in poverty. On the other hand, outsourcing, about which I am thinking, is also of an inaccurate meaning. Your loved ones and friends can help you greatly by listening to you. Let yourself be honest by refusing to meet, explaining that you need time for yourself and so on. People are herd beasts and can take care of their "wounded" companion. They won't make scenes, they won't shoot a seal, and sometimes they'll even provide you with something tasty to comfort. Being honest, you create an opportunity to meet these people from a different angle (more often the better one)
What next?
Fighting. Don't take on yourself more than you are able to lift. Do not overestimate your strength.