Rita Emmett - Manage Your Time to Reduce Your Stress A Handbook for the Overworked, Overscheduled, and Overwhelmed

Copyright 2009 by Rita Emmett

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Walker & Company, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010.

Published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., New York

All papers used by Walker & Company are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Emmett, Rita.

Manage your time to reduce your stress : a handbook for the

overworked, overscheduled, and overwhelmed / Rita Emmett. 1st U.S. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

eISBN: 978-0-802-71976-8

1. Time management. 2. Stress management. I. Title.

BF637.T5E46 2009

640'.43dc22

2008022110

Visit Walker & Companys Web site at www.walkerbooks.com

First U.S. edition 2009

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

Designed by Rachel Reiss

Typeset by Westchester Book Group

Printed in the United States of America by Quebecor World Fairfield

Authors Note

To protect the privacy of my readers and seminar participants who have given permission for their stories to appear in this book, their names and identifying characteristics have been changed, with the exception of those professionals who have provided comments and have given permission for their names to be published.

Contents

Writing a book and having it published is a dream come true, a blessing from God, a huge hunk of the luck of the Irish, andno matter what you call itits a blast.

The author gets all the praise and honor (also criticism and bad reviews, but thats another story), but this book wouldnt be in your hands if it werent for a glorious gang offering help, support, and encouragement on both the professional and personal levels.

My deepest gratitude goes to the threeeditor, agent, and publisherwho helped turn my random, chaotic thoughts into a readable book and who have guided me through the writing and publishing of my three previous books as well as this one. Thank you to:

Jackie Johnson, who I am convinced is not only one of the worlds finest editors, but also one of the worlds most patient people. She works hard to polish my words, so if there is a shine or a sparkle to this book, we have Jackie to thank for it. She guides and answers, coaches and coaxes, and never makes fun of my disorganized way of thinking... and writing.

Danielle Egan-Miller, my fabulous literary agent, who listens patiently, works tirelessly, treats me as if she has all the time in the world for me, and turns my weird ideas into something that can be publishedall with a delightful sense of humor and a wealth of wisdom.

George Gibson, publisher, who, while surrounded at Walker &Company by so many authors who are scholars and researchers, continues to welcome, support, and promote my books.

Its a delight and honor to be associated with all three as well as the whole team at Walker & Company who have enriched my life and worked hard to turn this book into a reality.

An enormous thank-you to so many others, including Mickey Forster, my niece, Web goddess, friend, assistant, and general guiding light. I dont know what I would have done without her fun and loving help.

She and the rest of my Dream Team, Cheryl Guidry, Brian Redding, and Stormi Willis, have played a vital role in supporting and encouraging this book and providing ways for Emmett Enterprises, Inc., to help people break the procrastination and clutter habits.

A heartfelt thanks to Randy Davis for mentoring, teaching, coaching, and guiding me to new ways of thinking; for pushing me off the edge so I can fly; for wisdom, humor, and caring; and most of all for his friendship.

Tremendous gratitude to all my family and friends who cheered me on, helped in any way they could, and put up with my absentmindedness and lack of availability when I was writing, and special thanks to those of you who offered your enthusiasm and stories or were willing to read and offer guidance on this book, especially Michelle Emmett, Ruth Coleman, Jessa Forster, Carolyn (CJ) Jonasen, Tomas Dorney, JoAnne Knight, Linda Brakeall, and Curt Hansen, all of whom offered constant friendship and support. Also thank you for help and stories: Malachy McCourt, Kay Merkle, Sandra Baumgardner, Phaedra Vaughan, and Norma Maloney.

Theres always a special hug and smooch for my long-suffering husband, Bruce, who did such a brilliant job at picking up the slack and keeping our lives on an even keel while I was cloistered in my cell where I dwell writing this book.

Thank you to all of you (and I do apologize if I accidentally left out your name). And most of all, my deepest gratitude to clients, subscribers to our Tip Sheet electronic newsletter, and readers of my books, including you.

Thank you for reading this book and thank you, God, for this joyful journey.

Manage Your Time to Reduce Your Stress