Very busy, achieving little...
Posted on 2nd September 2020 at 07:38
There’s something about this time of year. Perhaps it’s the last bank holiday of the Summer. Or the impending start of the new academic year. Maybe it’s the feeling that the seasons are turning, with the nights noticeably drawing in. Not helped by the ongoing uncertainty fuelled, in large, part by the near hysterical reporting in the media. Sorry to mention the last two but, sadly, it’s true!
Whatever the reason, this time to year seems to trigger one of our more basic instincts. The need to prepare for the new season ahead.
And, in the process, it’s easy to get caught up in it all. Rushing around more like a headless chicken than a productive – and happy (!) – little bee. Very busy but achieving little… If you need a reminder on why being “busy, busy, busy” is never the easiest way to get things done (!) click here.
So, this week, it’s time to STOP. Take a deep breath. Or two.
Remind yourself that rushing around doesn’t help you get things done any more quickly. Or easily. All it does it raise your stress – and adrenaline – levels to nuclear setting, causing havoc to spread throughout the rest of your life. With the all too predictable end results. Stress. Tension. Anxiety. That slightly spacey and scattered feeling. As do all those around you, as well as everyone you come into contact with as you rush about your day… And so, the affects ripple out far and wide.
With the all too common preoccupation on being “busy, busy, busy” it may seem counter intuitive to slow down. But, trust us, you’ll get far more done – and feel much calmer in the process – IF you do.
So, today, resist the urge to rush. And, if you notice you’re starting to do so, STOP. Take a deep breath or two (!) – stop and take a moment to look at the world around you. Feel your blood pressure and stress levels start to fall.
Then, once you feel calmer and more in control, simply focus on whatever it is you were doing. Or needs doing next. And here’s the important bit. Focus 100% on it. Letting the Little Monster in your head distract you will only hold you up and make life much more complicated. Guaranteed.
And it doesn’t matter how big – or small – the task is. Everything gets done much more easily and quickly if you have your full attention on it. It’s not rocket science, but it’s amazing how many people seem to have forgotten this simple truth!
Then, when you’ve finished whatever it is, take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back. Take another deep breath or two. Zone out for a minute and look out of the window. Recharge your batteries a bit. Then, when you’re ready, move on to the next thing. It really is that simple, IF you let it be.
If you find that the Little Monster in your head just won’t shut up (!) making a list of things as they come up often helps. Or, making it part of your routine. Either at the end of each day, as a reminder for the next day, or in the morning before you start your day.
Not only does it take things out of your head but, often, by simply writing them down and then leaving them until you’re ready, many get sorted out by themselves. Either by someone else or being overtaken by circumstances, so they no longer need to be done. Or, more accurately, done by you!
Rushing – and all those stress bunnies – always look very dramatic but, sadly, never deliver the desired results. That is, unless you want sky high blood pressure and lots of dramatic stories to tell your friends!
As always, the choice is yours.
Photo by unknown author
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