What Time is It?

Sometimes you're flying high. Everything is going great!
You've finished something that you've been putting off for a
long time, or you just got organized, or a big order came
in. Don't you just LOVE feeling like that? You are full of
energy and those impossible tasks are just sailing off of
your desk. You're to-do list is shrinking like a cotton
shirt in a dryer.

On the other hand, sometimes you're pretty discouraged.
"How am I ever going to finish that project? How can I
possibly do all of the things that I need to do in order to
get to where I want to be?"

Don't you just HATE feeling like THAT? It's hard to move a
single piece of paper from one place on your desk to the
other. The easiest things look impossible to do. You are
carrying a large stone around your neck and everything is an
effort.

I think that most people are like that; highs and lows, ups
and downs. Even the most productive people hit a brick wall
once in a while and wonder to themselves, "What was I
thinking when I took on this project??"

Naturally there can be a zillion reasons why you are down:
outside pressures, just lost a big customer or big deal,
fight with a family member, illness or accident, etc. What
separates the men from the boys, however, is how you deal
with it. Sometimes you can help yourself when you're down
by asking yourself one simple question: "What time is it?"

WHAT??

That's right! I'm willing to bet that when you go from a
high to a low rather quickly it is a function of the time of
day. Here's why: when you are tired, everything seems
worse than it really is.

It's much harder to cope with things when you are tired.
The mechanism in our brains that keeps us from being
overwhelmed requires a lot of energy, and when we are tired
it no longer functions properly.

Why is it important to know that? For the same reason it's
important to know that your car won't run without fuel.
If you're feeling down and you're tired too, give yourself a
break! Don't be so hard on yourself... there is a good reason
why you feel as you do.

Once you realize that, a glimmer of hope appears because you
know you'll feel better in the morning. Try to divert your
attention away from what is bothering you. If it is only
bothering you because you are tired, give it a rest until
tomorrow when your energy is back. Here are some ideas to
try:

1. Spend your time doing low-brain activities, such as
opening mail if you can't allow yourself to "goof-off".

2. If you have to press on because of deadlines, for
example, take a nap or eat something that will give you
more energy.

3. Take a walk. Get away from the pressure and let your
mind relax. Give yourself this gift; you deserve it!

The main thing to remember is this: it's much harder to
cope with life's stresses when you're tired. Get into the
habit of recognizing that fact and put your worries to bed
long before you get there yourself.