Ever Feel This Way?

The topic of overwhelm and distraction has come up over and over again in the last week.  Do any of these symptoms sound familiar: Post it notes all over your desk, a LONG list of to-do’s that’s like a stress pill every time you look at it, piles strategically (yeah, right!) placed around your desk, loss of focus as one task takes precedence over another. 

If you recognize these symptoms I’ve got a simple tip for you.  It’s both easy to implement AND powerful in it’s results. 

Here’s the deal.  Most of the time we have post it notes and piles around because we’re worried that we might forget that great idea or important task.  That’s all well and good, but what usually happens is that soon we don’t notice the piles and the post-it notes any longer, so they are not doing their job.  

BUT they are distracting us on a subconscious level.  Every time we see the note or pile, our subconscious is noticing that there’s something more not done and our laser focus becomes scattered and we lose energy.  

If you’re someone who works off of a long list – think about how overwhelming it is  review the WHOLE list multiple times a day and each time have to make a decision about what’s the next thing to do?  I can guarantee, that anything that looks challenging is going to the bottom of THAT list.  It’s an energy drain. 

Wouldn't This Feel Better?

Let’s get started with this simple new process.  Take a legal pad or a notebook or use your computer, whatever feels most comfortable for you and make a Master List of all of the things that are on your post-it notes or piles and as you get new ideas for things you want to do, add them to this Master List. 

At the beginning of each day take out your Master List and pick out the top two to four things that you honestly think you can accomplish that day AND that will move you forward.  Caution – absolutely don’t take more than four – usually two is enough and don’t just take the low hanging fruit, take something that will move your business forward – even if it looks challenging.   Think about each one and be realistic about how long you think it will take.  If one thing is overwhelming or a larger project, break it down into smaller, doable tasks.  For example if you want to write a Newsletter or blog; break that down into smaller tasks like;

• Identify a topic
• Outline the topic
• Decide if you need to do any research
• If you need to do research – do a google search
• Write the introduction and conclusion
• Fill in the detail
• Drop it into the tempate
• Review before you publish

Each one of these tasks on it’s own is easily accomplished in a short amount of time.  Keep the complete list on your Master List and only move over what you realistically believe you have time to do that day. 

With this simple process you will have a place (The Master List) to hold all your great ideas.  You’ll be able to break them down into doable steps and you’ll eliminate the subconscious energy drain that happens when you’ve got “reminders” all over your desk or a daily list you’re working from that is as long as your arm. 

Soon you’ll notice that items are disappearing from your Master List.  Some will take care of themselves –  people will follow-up with you, you’ll decide some are not the best use of your time, problems will get solved without your involvement and those you have prioritized you will be accomplishing bit by bit . 

And here’s a secret: once you get that bigger project broken down into smaller tasks that you know you can get started on and you even WANT to get going on, you usually keep going and get the whole thing done faster than you could ever have imagined!!

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