Happy New Year!

At the end of 2014, I had the opportunity to visit Good Day Philadelphia and share some tips learned from juggling about how to reduce holiday stress.

The start of the new year is always a time to reflect on what we accomplished over the past year, where we may not have met our goals, and what we’d like to work towards in the future.

What are your goals and dreams for the new year?

The same 4 tips that I shared with Good Day can help us stay on track towards achieving those goals, and also be a guide for living a balanced life and reducing our level of stress.  It all comes down to the simplicity of the BALL.  On New Year’s Eve, the glittering ball drops in Times Square, signifying the hope and promise of a new year, and that same ball is the basic building block of learning to juggle.  So it’s all you have to remember: B…A…L…L…

B – Break it Down.

A – Ask for Help.

L – Learn from the Drops.

L – Let it Go.

Break it Down.  

Set specific goals and then break them down into smaller, achievable steps. Take one action step at a time. Learn to focus on one thing at a time even though there is a lot going on. Focus on important (vs. just urgent) tasks first and manage your time accordingly.

Ask for Help.

We can accomplish more when we work together effectively. Seek support from family, friends, colleagues, mentors in achieving your goals. Build a support team and learn to utilize each team member’s unique strengths and interests. Empower those around you by offering value, communicating openly and honestly, and building a mutual respect and trust.

Learn from the Drops.

Past mistakes or failures are part of the process and can lead us to creative solutions that we never considered.  Adapt and be flexible as the unexpected happens. Pick up the ball and try it again. Figure out what went wrong and learn something new for the next attempt.

Let it Go.

Just do it! Let go of perfectionism. Sometimes “Done is better than Perfect.” Learn to say NO when you’re overextended and take time for yourself to relax and re-energize. We don’t have to have it all figured out to start. As Michael Hyatt says, “Excessive planning is just a fancy way to procrastinate.” You can’t learn to juggle without letting go of the ball, so just start, even if it’s a small step.

So…find a ball and set it on your desk or dresser or wherever you look everyday as a continued reminder, and commit to making it a great year!

Here’s to a Happy, Healthy & Productive New Year!