Beware the Wobbly Platter

When I was a kid, I watched the Ed Sullivan Show (a variety program, long before Netflix and America's Got Talent.)

One of my favorite entertainers was a man who spun plates on sticks.

I know...it sounds bizarre.

But, thanks to YouTube, here's proof!

So, what does that have to do with us -- the women of SOS?

In our work and lives, we often take on a wide range of duties and assignments (the plates). Some are tiny dishes and others are giant turkey platters.

Promotions, new clients, kids, pets, aging parents, volunteer roles, community obligations, household tasks...the list goes on and on (if we let it).

Sometimes one of the plates starts wobbling.

• We're late to deliver an assignment or rushing to a meeting

• Our kids remind us about that last-minute school project.

• A parent suddenly gets ill.

  
  

We give it a spin (sometimes doing the bare minimum to keep it from crashing down), but the stress level soars and no appreciative audience is laughing and cheering us on.

That's why we need to look at our own behavior -- the number of plates we've taken on -- and stop saying "yes" to every optional "responsibility" that comes our way.

• Think about whether you REALLY have to spin that many plates all at once.

• Enlist help from others and delegate whenever possible.

• Learn technologies that simplify tasks.

• Step away from the array of metaphorical dishes every now and then and indulge in some self-care.

Above all, join us on April 17th.

It may not be quite as entertaining as a variety show. Still, we have two amazing speakers who will inspire us to "put down the unnecessary plates" and take control of our own lives, alleviating stress and disappointments.

The platter you save may be your own life!