Whether you are working from home or at the office, stress often arises when you feel like things are getting on top of you. Fortunately, there are tools that can boost your feeling of being in control of your day. The top-five method for combating stress is very efficient.
The method comes from self-help author Sigrid Engelbrecht and is quite simple. It is about focusing on the essentials rather than reminding yourself every day of everything you are NOT getting done.
Using the top-five method
First, write down everything that is coming up over the next few days on a sheet of paper. Just write down whatever comes to mind. The goal here is completeness, not determining how important a task is or exactly when you should complete it. Then comes the most important step: once you have noted everything down, let go of the idea that you have to complete it all to be satisfied. How satisfied you are with yourself should be independent of whether you accomplish everything you set out to do.
Set your priorities
In the next step, select the five most important points from the list: your top five. These are the things you want to get done tomorrow. Write them down on a separate sheet and sort them by importance. Top 1 is your highest priority, top 5 your least important. When using the top-five method, really leave it at five things; do not write down seven or ten priorities!
Create a schedule
Next, you should note down as realistically as possible how long each of the five tasks will take. Keep track of the potential start and end times for each activity on your special to-do list. This is particularly important for tasks that are not already clearly defined by fixed appointments. Ensure that you have enough buffer time for breaks. Taking time to rest in between is a crucial way to combat stress. You should definitely prioritize this. Your daily plan should also not include more hours than is good for you, given your individual energy reserves. Also keep in mind that you should not neglect time with friends or your family.
By using the top-five method to set your priorities anew every day to combat stress, you increase your focus and satisfaction, and regain control over your everyday life.
Self-satisfaction in the face of diverse demands significantly involves standing up for yourself and taking responsibility for your well-being. You can find an interesting interview on the topic of "self-care" here.
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