I'm MAD

"What does it look like to make progress and then slip back into an old habit?"
Feels awful doesn't it.
Have you ever worked on something to make it a routine, and then you fall behind into your old ways? I am sure that I am not the only one.

Let me share with you what happened to me. I got back from vacation, having previously spent considerable time preparing my desk, setting auto-reply messages etc. and now I am back. Reality set in with the mountain of mail...snail and email.
Have you ever heard that Gremlin in the back of your brain saying, "It was not worth going away because this is what you come back to?" That Gremlin only lasted for three seconds before I shoved it in a drawer or put it on the shelf. Not going away would not give me the recharge that I need and I so love an adventure.

I am mad about... disappointing myself:

So what could be the Solution: (for me or anyone else in this situation?)
Here are some tips to break it down when you get back:

Be Realistic:
1. When you get back know that there will be a process called catching up.
2. Know that your desk will not be as you left it.
3. If you need to have time to just organize, sort, attend to the processing, put a sign on your door: "PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ____ am/pm. Thanks"
Divide and Conquer:
4. Scan emails and respond to those that need immediate attention.
5. Continue to file emails as you respond.
6. Allocate time in your daily schedule to attend to mail. Don't let it pile up.
Ask for Help
7. Delegate! Or ask for some assistance.
8. You are only human, so a little at a time.

Summer is gone and the Fall is upon us...tomorrow is another day to practice.
Warmly,
Sallie