My Productivity Wall and How I Got Around It

This post was supposed to be about the Art of Multitasking…and it was supposed to have come out yesterday.

But yesterday, I hit a wall.

Last week I was jammin’ on my to do list, crossing things off and taking names.  But this morning I sat down and stared at my computer screen.  I just couldn’t get going.  I couldn’t get motivated, I couldn’t find the words I wanted to write…I was just stalled out.

I hate wasting time, especially kid-free time.  It is SO precious, that if I feel like I am not being productive with my time, I start to get anxious and even a little down.

Here’s what I did to overcome my productivity slump

• Get a menial task or two off your list-I think there is something about creating momentum.  I try to subscribe to Brian Tracy’s ‘eat the frog’ concept of getting the biggest or most important task off my list first.  But I just needed to do SOMETHING to get the wheels greased.  I sent a few emails.  Made a phone call.  Did a task for my volunteer job.  Then I packed up, left the coffee shop I was at and headed to the grocery store and the gas station.  While I was out running my errands I listened to a business recording I had wanted to get to.
• Listen to an audio clip or read a blog from someone who inspires you- I have been downloading audio files to the dropbox app on my phone so I can listen to an interview, webinar, or audiobook anytime.    With in the first 5 minutes of listening to my audio program (while I stood pumping gas), she had addressed a few topics that I had been struggling with and I instantly felt excited to put some of her suggestions into action.  So I went to a new coffee shop.
• Get a Change of Scenery- Sometimes just changing up your location can be enough to get you back on track.  Or getting some fresh air.  Go for a walk or get out in your garden for a few minutes and then return to your desk.  Usually, while I am out walking I have an epiphany about the project I am struggling with, but this time I got to the new coffee shop and knew it was time to attack something new.
• Switch projects- Armed with my fresh air, momentum from my crossed off tasks and my audio program epiphany, I decided to table my blog post and switch gears to a different project entirely.  I add an opt-in box to my webpage in anticipation of my upcoming newsletter launch!  In fact, I know you would like to get on that list to never miss a tip, strategy or story, so please click here to do so…it’s FREE!
• Call it a day- Feeling good about the different frog I had crossed off my list, I decided to head home a little early and got to play a card game with my son before his sister got up from her nap.  Then we all went out for ice cream.  Because really, ice cream solves everything.
• Revisit that original project with some space and fresh eyes- After dinner and stories, I re-opened my original blog post on multitasking and read what I had started earlier.  And all of a sudden I knew exactly what I wanted to say.   

But, I am saving that post for next week.

Today was all about me tackling my productivity slump and my creative road block.  And about coming up with a plan to tackle it next time too!

ACTION STEP!

Grab a post-it note right now and write down one strategy you will use next time you hit a roadblock.  It can be one of mine, or one of your own.  Put it where you can see it and let me know in the comments below if you have a great tip or trick for overcoming a slump.

 

And of course if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, it would help make my day’s work worthwhile!