KINDERSLEY, Sask. – Life is a buffet line rich with inviting options, says Karen Wright of Rockhaven, Sask.
“There are lots of choices but you can only take in so much,” the time management specialist told those assembled for a one-day Agrowoman forum Feb. 13.
Wright, who farms and operates KDW Consulting Services, told women to look after themselves so they can better look after everything else in today’s busy world.
“Give yourself permission to look after yourself every day,” she said.
The bottom 30 percent of activities can be cut loose and women can “break out of the busy-ness trap” by defining their roles, responsibilities and priorities.
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Wright said planning and prioritizing commitments can simplify life and keep people on track.
“If you don’t plan where you’re going, you’re unlikely to get there,” she said.
Accept that one person cannot do everything and learn to share the responsibilities with others.
For example, housework should be something everyone can do together so no individual is overwhelmed.
Learning to say no to little jobs can open doors to big opportunities women want to focus on. Set priorities that mirror what is important to the individual, said Wright. One participant described how she makes time to play Lego with her son and lets the housework slide.
Reduce personal pressures and feelings of being pulled in different directions by delegating, asking for help, saying no, setting limits on what you do for others and communicating when you feel overloaded.
Admittedly that’s hard to do in a small community, Wright said.
“There are fewer of us in rural Saskatchewan, and it’s not easy not to be involved.”
Wright also suggested that women be aware of what drains energy, whether it be a cluttered home or stress, and eliminate it at the source.
Making lists can cut down the chatter inside your head, said Wright, who leaves reminders for herself on her home answering machine when travelling.
Ensure there is white space on planning calendars. Use a pen to schedule family activities and a pencil for everything else so low-priority items can be easily erased.
Reduce “time bandits” like procrastination, poor planning and personal disorganization.
Wright said stress can lead to a host of symptoms from headaches and bowel spasms to bouts of crying, fatigue or forgetfulness. Don’t ignore them, she said, because they are warning signs that your life needs some attention and balance.
Accept that areas in life like politics, commodity prices and government fluctuate and just look after what you can control.
For a reward after the busy days of harvest, she suggested scheduling some personal care time for a manicure or facial.
Wright said stress limits people’s ability to work efficiently, so it’s especially important for home-based entrepreneurs and farmers to consciously leave the work behind at some point each day.
“Stress is a fact of life but it doesn’t need to be a way of life.”
