The ability to multitask is a trait often attributed to women. Stories abound of women who burn the candle at both ends — spending long hours at our jobs, yet frequently also managing the numerous details of family life. Many of us habitually make it a priority to be there for others, even at our own expense.

But Parkinson’s disease — a movement disorder characterized by slowness, rigidity and/or tremors — can make multitasking even more challenging. Even the simplest errands can become time consuming, leading to frustration and, sometimes, embarrassment. A fellow PD patient has difficulty at video stores when she has to pay at the register and immediately retrieve her disc at the end of the counter. Because she feels that people are impatiently waiting for her, she simply freezes from the pressure.

Being one of those “do it all” women, I found change a challenge when I was first diagnosed with PD. Since then I’ve discovered that taking good care of yourself, knowing your limits and asking for help are great strategies for being more effective at the activities you choose to do.

A good start to managing multi-tasking challenges is to identify your support networks at work and at home and find ways to share responsibilities or request assistance. At work, don’t feel that you have to take the lead on new projects even if your skills are perfect for the task. Give yourself permission to only take on projects that you can comfortably do and learn to delegate responsibilities that don’t have to be done by you.

At home, you may be able to do the shopping, but do you also need to carry the bags and unpack them? If remembering details is sometimes a challenge, why not use a back-up system? Ask your family to remind you of upcoming birthdays and other things that you’ve never forgotten before. Give yourself a physical break by thinking of menus that involve a little effort from everyone — less from you. My kids and husband have become great fans of make-your-own-dinner-night. And they do the shopping for it too!

Another good idea is to look at your calendar with realism. Start “thinking forward.” Make most plans tentatively. Let people know that you may need to take breaks during an afternoon out or even reschedule if it isn’t one of your better days. While there should always be time to enjoy the company of people or activities you love, that doesn’t mean babysitting your grandchildren to the point of exhaustion. Rather, know what you can do pleasurably and just agree to do that.

Such self-protective behavior can be difficult at times, particularly if you have rarely had to think about limiting what you take on. But it beats quietly growing annoyed with people. As a communications/negotiation professor, it’s my job to teach people to say what they mean in effective ways. There’s no need to apologize about limitations due to PD. It’s better to tell people in a pleasant tone how you can participate.

None of this is about giving up or self-pity. It’s learning what you can do and then finding effective ways to help other people understand. Share with them your “think-forward” and “back-up” strategies to accomplish both the things you need to do and those you want to do. Give that multi-tasking woman inside you a wake-up call. Tell her: “We’re changing our ways. And this time I mean it!”