Like most people, I look forward to that time when we can unplug from our computers and mobile devices in order to unwind, spend time with the family, and recharge my mind and body before we need to prepare ourselves to dive back into the hustle and flow of our workplace.
There are times, though, where that continual push to maintain our productivity through the week takes its toll and we can find ourselves struggling to get out of neutral. This is something that happens to me at times and I know only too well how frustrating these moments can feel, especially when we see that large heap waiting for us in our “To-Do” basket. As such, I want to share some of the strategies I use to recharge my productivity batteries so I could complete my tasks for the week:
1. Review what you’ve completed so far
In the drive to maintain our level of productivity, it’s a good idea to take some time to review what we’ve completed up to that point. This will help in evaluating whether it’s really necessary to keep pushing to the max or whether we can afford to throttle down our efforts to give ourselves time to catch our breath. As marathon runners know, it’s not about running as fast as you can, it’s about managing a steady, brisk pace that will win the race.
2. Surround yourself with a support network
Let’s face it – we’re not robots and we’re not superheros either, so it’s only natural that there’ll be times where we’ll find ourselves staring out into a big hole of nothing, unable to get our mind or body moving again. And yet, it’s rare that we cut ourselves some slack for not being ‘always on’. That’s why it’s good to have a support group of people who can offer reassurance that we all have those moments of wading through the proverbial vat of molasses, if not reminding us how we’ll get through it and back on track.
3. Change your scenery
Sometimes all that’s needed to help kick-start things again is simply changing your setting – stopping by your colleague’s desk for a quick chat, going out for a walk, basically anything that will get you away from your work space and thinking about something else. On the surface, it might sound counter-intuitive to avoid the tasks you need to get done in an effort to be more productive. Then again, one can hardly say that staring at your computer screen for an hour trying to figure out what to do next can lead to better productivity. In these situations, you really have little to lose – and much to gain – by seeking out a change in your scenery to in order to get going again.
4. Give yourself a break
Remember, you’re only human and there will be moments where you just need to unplug and go off and play. Of course, there’s nothing wrong in doing that, especially if one considers how going off to play will not only boost energy levels, but it will also create a renewed vigour to take on the tasks you took a break from doing earlier.
5. Get enough rest
Yes, I know – we hear all too often how we need to get a good night’s rest, and yet, it’s still the one thing we all willingly sacrifice. Think of it this way – if machinery requires scheduled periods for “repair and maintenance”, it’s not hard to appreciate how vital it is for us to do the same as well.
6. Listen to your mind
When we face those times where we just can’t get that internal push to keep going, we need to recognize that it’s our brain and body basically telling us that it’s time to hit the “Pause” button and go do something else. I’m always impressed at how the act of simply listening to my brain telling me it’s time to stop and walk away to focus on something else inevitably leads to a flurry of solutions or ideas surfacing from which I can pick the best option.
In the end, we need to remember that we have two finite resources at our disposal – time and energy. And while there’s no way for us to replace the time we lose or waste, we can replenish our energy to keep moving forward. All that’s needed is for us to give ourselves the chance to simply recharge those batteries so we can dive back in to take on the challenges lying up ahead.
Coming up next – having issues with procrastination? In the last part of this series, I’m going to show you how to transform procrastination from something you dread into something that will improve your productivity in the long run.
You know – one of the benefits I think we can take away from reviewing what we've completed so far is the simple, but empowering realization of just how much he have accomplished.
I sometimes keep a daily journal of all the tasks and activities that i complete each day. There is something about seeing it on paper, in front of you, that provides extra strength to go on.
Great stuff Tanveer!
Thanks Frank; I appreciate that.
It is very empowering to do that exercise of looking back at what you’ve accomplished so far. Too often our only personal measurement of progress is how much we’ve been able to reduce the size of our To-Do pile. While this certainly can make us feel like we’re getting things done, it doesn’t let us appreciate how many wins or successes we’ve achieved along the way. Making an effort to build an awareness of those accomplishments will definitely help you tackle what’s next on your To-Do list, regardless of how big the pile might be.
Thanks again Frank for sharing your thoughts on this. Appreciate the kind words as well.