At Creative Choice Group, it is a constant challenge to juggle all the commercial real estate balls in the air. I find it particularly difficult at this time of the year. Between the year-end push to make goals for 2015, the holiday rush and prepping for 2016, it is hard to keep it all balanced and in check. Personally I have a number of teams and business ventures that are all equally important and successful. Each demand a level of support and commitment which I relish. From our Etech Global Services team in Texas, to my smart city endeavor at Infocity, to my hometown team of Creative Choice Group in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, there is definitely no time to take my foot off the gas if we want to keep up the momentum and drive results for our customers. So, beyond being a super hero with super time management powers, how does one find a way to stay focused without losing their mind?

The Mayo Clinic recommends a few key tips to help reduce stress and create a more balanced approach. I thought it might be helpful to you as well especially this time of year.

1. Get Active: Even the simplest activity can pump up your feel-good endorphins and enhance your sense of well-being. Whether you decide to walk, swim, garden, clean your house, bike or hit tennis balls, any form of physical exercise can improve your mood, refocus your mind and help eliminate irritations from the day. You can often find our Etech contact center professionals taking a quick power walk on their breaks. Being active is good for your health and good for your mind – especially when handling those difficult customer calls.
2. Laugh: You probably have heard the old saying that laughter is the best medicine. It may not cure all your troubles, but a good laugh lightens your mental attitude and can also create positive physical changes in your body. Take a minute during your day to swap funny stories at the water cooler or read a few jokes. A smile goes a long way when tackling a stressful day.
3. Connect: When we get really stressed, the natural human reaction is to retreat. We find ourselves withdrawn and self-obsessed with our problems. Social contact is a great way to break out of this cycle. Being with others can help reduce stress because it offers a happy distraction.
4. Say no: It is great to take the lead and tackle business issues. But time and time again, it is easy to fall into the trap of taking it all on and then paying the price for signing up for too much. Learning to say no or having a willingness to delegate will help reduce your to-do list and your stress level. I find the best way to do this is to surround yourself with outstanding professional talent. I know I can count on my leadership team at Creative Choice Group to get things done. This helps me focus on other important items with confidence.
5. Sleep: It is important to get enough sleep. As adults, it is recommended that we get at least 7 hours of sleep. Less sleep contributes to health issues, and an inability to focus, which ultimately puts more stress on one’s mind. Find yourself a fluffy pillow and hit the sack to get your needed rest to face another busy and challenging day.
6. Yoga: Lastly, I have talked about the powerful benefits of yoga. This ancient technique is a disciplined approach to create balance between the mind, body and soul. What’s a little downward dog going to hurt? Check out Ying yoga stretch Sundays at 4:00 p.m. at Yoga Palm Beach, Florida

With another year upon us, we will face new challenges and obstacles. Using just a few simple techniques can help you tackle the New Year with a new level of confidence. Looking forward to a successful 2016!