Ok, I'm going to be totally honest here, the past few weeks and everything that's been going on with our government, with 24/7 news coverage, has left me reeling. I'm feeling shocked, overwhelmed, saddened...you name it, I've probably felt it. And I know I'm not alone. My first instinct was to hide and avoid any work, but I knew that wasn't the answer. So, I thought about some ways that would help me, and hopefully others, stay productive even through really hard times.
Ask for help
I know this can be scary, but I promise that asking for help doesn’t make you weak and it can yield wonderful results. I've opened up to a lot of friends and colleagues, and all of them were incredibly understanding and willing to help me out, even if that meant just lending an understanding ear.
Work in batches
The idea is to do work for twenty minutes, then take a ten minute break. Breaking up work this way can make it feel more manageable. It’s daunting to say, “I’ll work for two hours,” it’s a little easier to view it as six sets of twenty minutes, taken one at a time, with breaks in between.
Prioritize
Often when we’re feeling overwhelmed and going through a hard time, we dwell on every single thing we have to do, mentally piling minute task onto minute task until we’ve built an insurmountable mountain of a to-do list. The reality is often less daunting than we make it out to be. Before you go to bed or when you wake up, write down the three things that are most important to accomplish that day. Then focus on those three things.
Get out of the house
If you can, I really recommend trying to get out of the house most days. Take with you only what you need and go somewhere where you can breathe and focus. It doesn’t have to be a library. It can be a coffee shop, a park, a friend’s home, anywhere where it’s a little easier for you to work. This can also help remind you there’s a world out there and you are capable of being a part of it. Sometimes the momentum of getting out of the house can give you the boost you need to get stuff done.
Most importantly, take care of yourself
Going to your therapy appointments, taking your medication, resting...that’s how you stay productive. By taking care of yourself and by making sure you’re getting all the help you need and using every tool available to stay afloat.
Those are my reminders to staying productive and present during tough times, what are some of yours?
And, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stalled out, reach out! My VIP Days are a perfect way to jumpstart you back into CEO mode, centered and reaching your goals.