You know those days that go “Productively Weird?” A meeting you’ve looked forward to gets cancelled. You feel stressed out and stuck. You don’t have the motivation you know you need. When you’re out of it, do you know how to get back?
How Do You Know If It Matters?
It’s important to stay balanced between overwhelmed and uber-productive; getting things done can’t be the only goal, you’ve got to experience the feeling that momentum provides. You’re engaged, you’re proud of what you’re doing, you’re being the “You” that others can count on.
Even with a plan (or elegantly organized list of to-do items), days can still go weird. There are 5 things you can do to reset your brain to get that next task done. Oh, and these work for any kinds of tasks: The creative ones and the more analytical, left-brained to-dos.
After you read through these ideas, add a 6th way that you reset yourself and ensure setbacks don’t sabotage your day’s productivity level.
Get Ready to Get Things Done #Better Than Ever Before
Any of these 5 approaches can save your psyche for maximum performance at a moment’s notice:
1. Rethink what you DO manage. (Hint: It’s NOT time.) You don’t finish a day and recount what you did minute-by-minute. Instead, you reflect back on accomplishing a project, a presenting information effectively and making a sale, or even hearing back about a budget issue, etc. Managing yourself implies you know what to do next and you’re ready to engage. Mentally, flip-forward to the end of the day and ask yourself: “What are some of the things I’d like to have done?” Big ones, little ones, everything in between … then, see if you can set yourself up so that when things go weird, you focus on taking action.
2. Reprogram Your Breathing. It only takes 10 deep breaths to consciously change your breathing, which in turn changes your mindset and calms you. This practice is performed in biofeedback sessions the world over, and can be done right at your desk or workspace. Breathe in slowly for five seconds, and then out for another five seconds. Repeat this 10 times and note how you feel. This small relaxation technique might be just what you need to clear your head and move on to your next task.
3. Change Your Scenery. If a schedule change or a productivity misstep leaves you frazzled, sometimes you just need to walk away. Stepping away from your computer to take a walk around the block or to get some water can refresh your energy to your pre-thrown-for-a-loop levels. If a physical change isn’t possible, or you feel pressed for time, try switching up your tools: If your task is creative, for example, try writing with a legal pad instead of using the computer. Or, combine these two suggestions by printing out your latest draft and taking it with you to an area of your workspace where you can see sit in a comfortable chair or look out a window.
4. Reach Out and Vent. Getting rid of the negative vibes that unforeseen circumstances create can be a recipe for renewal. Sometimes all you need is a five-minute conversation with a trusted friend or colleague to vent your frustration. Just be sure to keep it brief (so as not to stew, causing further negativity), and be careful not to disclose any confidential information. Once you’ve purged your mind of all your reactionary feelings, you’ll have made room for positive feelings about how to readjust your day.
5. Take a TV Timeout. Before you get the wrong idea, we’re not suggesting you watch TV to escape your frustration! Rather, think of how live sporting events are required to take a quick break in the action and make it mandatory for yourself to tackle a task that you can achieve in two minutes or less. Send a couple follow-up emails, make a phone call or archive some files. Choose something easy, and not only will it allow you to quickly shift your focus to another topic, but it’ll also give you the confidence you need to get your head back in the game.
Try any of these five techniques, one at a time, and see which resonate with your work process. You may surprise yourself by how quickly you can recover when things go awry. Allowing a break in focus when you need to recalibrate, refocus and reengage in what needs to be done next on any given day will elevate your productivity status — and your mindset — from sabotaged to successful.
How about you? How do YOU figure out if it's worth it? If it matters?
Comments