So start off raring to go on your list, full speed, and get satisfaction as you complete two or three items that were challenging and rewarding. Then perhaps, you take a break or two.
You start getting down your list and getting distracted. Procrastination starts to creep in; you check out Facebook, then going to the dry cleaners starts to take on a higher importance that calling that client.
You justify this as it is important to have peace of mind. Symptoms include not knowing what to do next, lowering energy, and a desire to just do something different. You start to feel disappointed in yourself. Unmotivated.
The stress builds Your work is piling up and you feel a little worse. Perhaps just take a break, and run away, but the pain of knowing that the problems will just get bigger hold you to your desk.
You are alone, and you stare at the screen. How much longer can I sit here until something happens? I have to break free. Some of you may have seen or felt some or all of these symptoms from time to time.
You are still here, and you got through it before, perhaps subconsciously. So there is a way though it! So how do you stop this starting, and what causes it?
1. Multi-tasking – don’t do it!
People who multi-task feel like they are accomplishing more, but in fact they are reducing their productivity and creating a state of mind that leads to distraction, a key trigger for overwhelm and procrastination.
Studies show that only about 2% of people are capable of effectively multitasking, but that doesn’t stop the remaining 98% of people from trying!
And technology encourages it - smartphones, multiple computer screens, windows open at once, email boxes open, the phone, and software upgrade prompts; 89% of people with smartphones use them at work, and trying to focus on more than one thing causes, according to onlinecollege.org, a 40% in productivity.
2. The Power of focus
Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. Because either way you will find it; you may have heard of the story in the news recently in the US:
“Police in the US are baffled after a woman managed to drive her car into a telegraph pole in the middle of a wide-open desert. She somehow managed to plough straight into the middle of the 20ft pole, despite being surrounded by acres of empty desert in Rio Rancho, Sandoval, New Mexico” Source: web.orange.co.uk
This is a classic example of hitting your focus. The woman was looking at the pole and hoping she wouldn’t hit it, and she hit it, because it was her focus.
Focus is the opposite of multi-tasking. Pick your target, just the one, stick to it, and you will hit it. And do not change your focus until you do. And the sense of completion will feel great. Then, you can reward yourself with a little break, and move on to the next target. Just the one.
3. Gratitude and productivity
Which do you think will put you more in a productive state – gratitude or resentment? Changing your state to one that is productive is to change it to one that is positive and grateful.
Gratitude is a way of meeting life and its challenges. Your prioritised list gives you a path. Your ability to prioritise means you get the important things done first. You know where the path starts. You know the value of focus and avoiding multi-tasking. You are grateful to know this. You have those that support you and care for you.
Your customers will be happy because of the value you create for them. They will pay you in fair exchange for services/ goods you offer and it feels good and you are grateful to have made a difference.
A sense of accomplishment. Getting into this state helps your productivity and helps you feel better. You are creating value. Well done. Can you feel the state change?
Combining the three steps
So if you are in overwhelm, make a prioritised list with what is urgent as to time, and important at the top.
Focus on the first item intently, with no distractions (worrying about the other items will not serve you well – let them go!). You always have more time than you think.
Then drop into a state of gratitude as to how many people you will touch and serve in completion of your single task, smile and enjoy its completion.
Matt Gosling (www.invigour.com.au) has worked on three continents over 27 years in creating and leading teams and businesses. He is the founder and Managing Director of Invigour Pty Ltd, which helps businesses create and fulfill corporate strategy, cultivates high-performing individuals and teams, and ensures effective leadership transition through readiness coaching and succession.
