Ouch. Once again this summer, my sinus infection is back. The minute my ear starts to hurt, I know. I should. It’s happened three times (four now) since May. I’d ignore it and simply overdose on Mucinex, but it doesn’t go away.
But I can’t be sick. I’m too busy. How do you deal with any illness when you’re overworked? Today I have a houseguest (just for the morning then he’s gone) and I have two projects, one with a 5 pm deadline. No doctor’s visit today.
Yesterday was a day of interruptions – just a few from the houseguest, but most from others living here (at one point I was helping someone measure for a kilt – swear to God). We had visitors coming at 5 and someone (me) had to cook. Since the visitors all have special diets, I had to make soup, but it had to be from scratch, including the broth that goes in it. Where did my writing day go?
I’ve already decided to work a little this weekend. Nothing serious, just some proofreading. I’m taking two weeks off in August, so I have to catch up before I run off again. I have three clients waiting in the wings to get something going and I guarantee you one of them will call next week wanting something done quickly. I’ll do it, but only if the pay reflects “quickly.” I’m okay with a two-day turnaround on small projects. I’m not okay with a one-day turnaround on large ones, and inevitably those requests do come in.
I’ve realized that the more stress or pressure I feel, the more interruptions I suffer through. So no more. I’ll get it done when I get it done. If someone needs kilt measurements, I’ll spend fifteen minutes with that and not worry about the time away. If a guest comes in and wants an airline ticket printed, I’ll do it. I’ll make it up somewhere, sometime, somehow. Stress has never solved anything for me, and I’d bet it’s not solved anything for you, either. Why are we so eager to invite it in?
How do you regroup when it’s obvious your day is out of your own control?
Constantly. I'm constantly evaluating interruptions, et al. Sometimes (such as in the case of the kilt), they're necessary.
Also, because I keep the phone turned off when I work, it limits interruptions. I check 2x day for messages and return calls at MY convenience. I have that in my contracts. If you expect constant phone time, hire someone else.
With four children at home, I still have not satisfactorily solved the interruption problem.
As for the frequent sinus infections – have you tried using a neti pot? One ENT I know said that if everyone used a neti pot daily, he'd be out of business. I started using one last year and can't believe the difference.
What do I ACTUALLY do, or what do I WISH I did? WISH i just completely surrendered.
Eileen, I have one. I think it's time to bust it out, as the kids say.
Devon, I have avoided four calls today, none of them business-related, two of them involving "chatty" types.
Carrie, I surrender, too. 🙂 It's just easier. Though I did just tell the youngest "No, I can't." I don't have leisure time right now to lunch, even though her time before going back to college is dwindling. You had all summer to visit with me. Ugh! LOL
gawd, I know what you mean about interruptions – some of mine have taken me away from my little log house and out of town, out of state – some are the phone (which I never answer when I'm working, but the ringing still annoys and sometimes it's a family member – so …sigh….). Sometimes one type of work distracts me from another – etc etc etc etc etc! argh!
I get up the next morning and hop backon the crazy train…
katherine, I'm looking for a little log house to hide in! LOL I suppose it's all in where you are that dictates where you need to escape from/to. 😉