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Turkey, Touchdowns and Time Management

‘Tis the season for giving thanks! This week marks a time when we gather with friends and family to enjoy a day full of turkey, touchdowns and tradition. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; many memorable family get-togethers have taken place around the dinner table on this last Thursday in November. I love helping my mom stuff the turkey and experiment with new pie recipes (this year it’s a Pumpkin Pecan Pie) - everything right down to my Dad’s world-famous martinis that close out the evening every year. And I’ll admit it; I still get up early to watch the entire Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in my PJs.

While my memories of Thanksgiving are warm, fuzzy and soft all over, my mother’s reminiscences are slightly coated in stress and anxiety, complete with a side of pressure. Albeit a fantastic chef and cooking veteran, my mom is someone who admittedly struggles with dealing with the pressure of the holidays, especially when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving for a small army of family and friends. Even after decades of cooking for other people, it is still a feat for her to manage her time when preparing for the grand production known as Thanksgiving at the Trusty household.

Thanksgiving, and the art of cooking in general, is a true exercise in time management, a skill area in which I think even the highest level executives sometimes struggle. So in celebration of Thanksgiving this year, I’ve pulled together a few tips (with the help of the Mayo Clinic) on how to manage your time and stress level – whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or running your own small business.

Plan each day – Write a to-do list for the day ahead and put the most important tasks at the top.

Prioritize your tasks – Prioritizing will ensure you spend your time and energy on tasks that are truly important to you.

Delegate – Take a look at your to-do list and determine what you can pass off to someone else.

DIRTFT – Do It Right The First Time – it’s a mantra by which CIG lives. Take the time to do a quality job the first time around. While it may take more time upfront, errors usually result in time consuming corrections.

Break tasks into manageable chunks – Work on larger (dreaded) tasks a few minutes each day. Once you get started you may find you can finish them.

Dare to say no – You know your limitations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, say no to nonessential tasks. Consider your goals and schedule before you agree to take on additional work.

Limit distractions – Block out time for big, priority projects. Limit distractions by turning your phone on silent and closing your office door.

Take a break when needed – Too much stress can get the best of you. When you need a break, take one.

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On behalf of CIG have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! I hope these tips will help you manage your time so you can enjoy what’s really important this holiday season.

And remember… if all else fails, just be sure to get the wine!

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