We’ve all been there. As DaVincis — folks juggling multiple talents, projects and ideas — we have so much to do — and yet sometimes we find ourselves getting too little done. Maybe we’re spinning our wheels. Perhaps we’re distracted by unproductive activities. It could be we’re overwhelmed and/or paralyzed. Whatever the reason there are those days — or weeks — or months — during which we become aware that stalled or off track or otherwise unproductive.
What to do about it? How to salvage an unproductive day — or week — or month?
First, whenever you recognize you’re stalled or spinning your wheels, pat yourself on the back. You noticed! Now you can do something about it.
Above all, avoid beating yourself up for the situation. We ALL have unproductive days sometimes. It’s human nature. Especially for DaVincis: we’ve got so much going on that our minds often need a wee ‘time out’ so they find clever ways of stalling us. All of a sudden we find ourselves surfing the internet or pacing or baking brownies for no good reason.
Now, once you realize you’re stalled, ask yourself: why?
Is it fear? Are you anxious about how things are unfolding? Are you concerned about something?
Is it fatigue? Do you need a mental or physical break?
Are you excessively stressed?
Is it that your project isn’t going well and/or you’ve hit some vexing obstacle?
Is it that you are jumping around randomly between activities or projects without furthering any of them? Do you need to focus?
Has the well run dry? Are you lacking in inspiration or motivation?
Is it that you are facing other challenges in life that are affecting your productivity? Is your life unbalanced?
Perhaps its a combination of factors. Once you determine what’s going on, you can do what makes sense: Face your fears, take a break, brainstorm solutions. Take action to address whatever it is that’s going on.
The next step is to PRESS THE RESET BUTTON.
The thing is, we can’t do anything about the time we’ve squandered up to now. It’s gone. But we CAN decide to change course going forward.
You have the right to a fresh start. Right now.
It doesn’t matter what time of day it is. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been unproductive. Right now, in this very moment, you can decide to change course.
Don’t believe me? Try this. Set a timer for ten minutes. Spend these ten minutes doing something — ANYTHING — to address whatever’s been interfering. Focus on one thing. Make that scary phone call. Brainstorms possible solutions for that obstacle. Meditate. Consult with a wise colleague. Remind yourself of your original motivation for doing this. Give yourself a change of scenery.
When the timer goes off, see how you feel. Odds are high that even just ten minutes doing something will give you relief, motivation and ideas to move forward.
It’s a three part solution that works.
1. Recognize when you’re stalling — catch yourself when you’re being unproductive.
2. Diagnose what’s going on.
3. Press the reset button. Pivot. Make a conscious decision to change course. Take action, accordingly.
Guess what? You can press the re-set button more than once a day. (Some of us even have ‘those’ days during which we’re pressing the re-set button pretty much on the hour, every hour).
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Want more tips and techniques on getting things done? Check out my book YOU CAN GET IT DONE: Choose What to do, Plan, Start, Stay on Track, Overcome Obstacles, and Finish
Available here: http://bit.ly/YouCanGetItDone
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Are you struggling with too many talents, skills, ideas? You may have The DaVinci Dilemma™! Find tools, fun quizzes, coaching, inspiration and solutions for multi-talented people at http://www.davincidilemma.com/ .
