Why Being a Control Freak is a Good Thing
Many people are thought to be too in control of things (you’ve heard the labels: Control Freak, Type A, OCD, etc…), while others could care less about anything. And when it comes to trying to control people, or manipulate, that’s always a bad thing.
But these days, with everyone trying to find their zen and tap into their higher selves, the idea of being labeled a "control freak" isn’t all that appealing. But what I’m talking about is taking control of your work day.
For many, their day is completely out of control due to the frustration and overwhelm caused by dozens of tasks, hundreds of e-mails and endless of distractions.
And don’t forget about over-commitment, disorganization, lack of systems, lack of focus and the absence of goals. It’s enough to send anyone over the edge. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
While we can’t always control or eliminate a lot of things outside our immediate purview, we can control what we keep in our offices, what we store in our systems, and the way we choose to manage our day to reach our goals.
Being a "control freak" is a little over-the-top, but I like to think of it as being in the driver’s seat of your work your day, which is not such a bad thing. It has many rewards. Among them are increased organization and productivity, which can lead to more time for greater opportunities and success.
Here are six ways being a control freak is actually good for you–and your productivity. Plus, they might even help you breathe easier and zen out!
1.) Be in control of yourself.
This means setting boundaries – boundaries for your own behavior and boundaries for others. Boundaries are about self-respect, keeping commitments and promises, and taking ownership of your life. Without boundaries, you can lose interest, motivation and control of where your life is going.
2.) Be in control of your information.
This means you aren’t wading in clutter like paper, files, books, binders, reading materials, business cards, etc… You can find what you need at precisely the moment you need it, with no wasted time. This also means you’ve eliminated physical distractions and the accompanying sense of overwhelm, which helps your focus and concentration increase.
3.) Be in control of your responsibilities.
This means you’re aware of your commitments, tasks and projects, and you have a reliable way of tracking them. Your task list supports everything you plan to do on any given day and it’s built in Outlook or similar system, so it’s easy to use and maintain. It’s your best tool to keep you moving forward because it allows flexibility in your ever-changing day, so you can choose what to do or not do, given the circumstances at any moment. The best part about it is that nothing slips through the cracks because you use it and update it all the time.
4.) Be in control of your schedule.
This means you only use one calendar (electronically) and it isn’t jam-packed with meetings and appointments all day long. It means you’ve left some breathing room and flexibility to get your work done and deal with emergencies more quickly and readily, without stress or panic. It’s just as easy to use and maintain as your task list, because, like your task list, you maintain it faithfully, depend on it regularly, and look at it constantly.
5.) Be in control of your surroundings.
This means you’ve created an organized, comfortable and inspiring office to work in. You’ve personalized it with photos, pictures on the walls and a few personal items. You’ve created a space in which your best ideas come forth, because you aren’t distracted by things that don’t belong in your office and your progress is never impeded. You use your systems easily and enjoy your environment continuously, so it’s a place you look forward to being every day for work.
6.) Be in control of your work day.
This means you’re totally comfortable with the systems in your office, the processes and routines of your work day, and the progress you’re making every week. You’re accomplishing what you set out to achieve and you have the freedom to leave your office every night, not feeling guilty or wondering what you forgot, but rather feeling the progress and peace of mind that only comes when you’ve taken control of your work day.
If you’re tired of being out of control, consider taking advantage of my Productive Day Power Hour so you can enjoy your own personal, one-hour strategy session to get a handle on everything you do in your work day. It’s the perfect place to start!
