My key to sanity has been to ask this question: What is the one single thing that I should be doing right now? (Paying attention to a child, making dinner, returning e-mails, writing specs…) I find that the feeling of being overwhelmed is the feeling of competing demands. Clarity of immediate focus makes me effective instead of overwhelmed or stressed.

Of course, there is the big-picture, which requires regular review (every couple of weeks): how am I doing at fulfilling my roles?

Thank you! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog — yes, I got to you through Guy K.