I suspect my optimism confounds my time management. Six months ago I was working on my plans for ’09, and scheduled a trip to Dubai for late January, and saw these lovely two weeks at the start of the month stretching out like virgin snow on a ski slope. I planned a whole host of projects confident that I’d be able to get them all done (optimism!).
Now “halfway down my ski slope” I’m looking at my list, and looking at my time, and thinking “you said you’d do WHAT?” 
And then I feel a bit disappointed in myself because I KNOW this, I’ve done this before and said I don’t want to do it again. Perhaps the pattern is: When I plan my time, I feel full of optimism and I over commit.
On the one hand this is a tremendously beneficial pattern: I over commit, then I accomplish SO much. That anxiousness is a motivating force.
On the other hand, the costs are high stress and late nights. In this view the anxiousness is wearing me down.
The opportunity, of course, is that by recognizing and attending to my anxiousness when it is very small, I can recognize what’s happening and make a choice — I can change course and redesign next week! The “negative” emotion becomes an ally to help me change.
Joshua Freedman
Part of the Six Seconds' founding team, Josh is one of the world leading experts on emotions, change, and performance. One of a handful of people with proven experience creating organizational performance through EQ, Freedman leads a world-wide network of EQ change agents. (sd)
Yes, your terrific emotional literacy helps you know to re-negotiate and live with balance. I also appreciate your willingness to tell the truth about over-committing. This helps the rest of to be honest with ourselves. So even when we make less than optimal choices, sharing the truth creates a great teachable moment. I can be reassured that I too can step out of the maelstrom of duties I’ve created.