DON'T RELAX!! Ramping Up During Times of Stress

You're feeling it.

The old drop in the gut. The anxious feeling like nothing is getting done. And then we see it. The piles and piles of work that just seem to keep carrying over to the next day. How did that one task, that one stack now turn into the towering anxious mountain that makes us feel like we're going to implode??!

Everyone has gotten to this moment. Whether it was work left over from a birthday, long weekend, sick day - Sometimes it feels like we're stuck just trying catch up. We feel overwhelmed and want a break - But does the break ever actually solve anything?

I'd like to argue against the old adage of R&R and say the polar opposite - When you feel like giving it all up - It's time to ramp up.

My reasoning for that is this - When you relax, you're just doing what other people tell you what to do. Why would you ever want to slow down? So someone else can get ahead? Doing a lot of things is not scary - it's rewarding. People feel good when they're productive - but we're master procrastinators when it comes to pain.

So the problem isn't doing a lot of things - the problem is letting the few things we are doing, pile up and create an unforeseen disaster.

Stop listening to what other people tell you. Taking a bubble bath will not finish that report, or get you your next client, or even be enjoyable when you feel like you're drowning in worry.

Get ahead while they're behind. And still have time to enjoy the bubble bath. Here are my Top Tips for eliminating the R&R mindset, while obliterating tasks and maximizing productivity.

1) Create a task list - Half of the time we spend worrying about all the things we have to do, we equally are spending trying to figure out what to do. Actually creating a physical task list if you don't have one already puts the tasks into a tangible list. You spend less time trying to remember them, and actually spend time doing them. Make sure to put them in order from most-least important. Getting a project due by 2pm - Probably more important than buying shoes off eBay. Oh - write your goals down too. What you have for your dreams, what you want to accomplish. Add those to the list, or a separate list. Get them on paper - Free them from your mind.

2) Rotate tasks - Just like in school when theres a hard question on a quiz - If its puzzling you for hours, or is something you're stuck on skip it - Do the next thing, give yourself some easy wins and come back to it right after. When you trigger your mind to move from focused mode to diffuse mode, you actually have a better chance of solving the equation. If you're brain dead about it now, banging your head against the wall is hurting, not helping.

3) Optimize work hours - We all have that sweet spot - Some are night, some are day. If you have a job thats 9-5pm, this will be a little harder to navigate, especially if you're a night owl. However, you can still manage by writing out the task list, and completing the things you can while in a zombie-like state. This way you'll ensure you have the energy to complete the hard tasks when your energy kicks in, and not just have an avalanche that feels overwhelming.

4) Take small breaks - Ramping up more doesn't mean you take breaks less - it actually means take more breaks, but shorter ones. If you're sitting at a desk all day, try using the Pomodoro technique: a 25 minute sprint of focused work. Adjust your perfect time accordingly - then stop and give yourself a small reward. This reinforces productivity, and also enhances the work you get done in a shorter period of time. Its easy to lose track of "to-do's" and get overwhelmed when you think in 8 hour blocks - but anyone can tackle 25 minutes.

5) 15 minute walk or high-intensity exercise - Like the famous quote goes - "If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl." The point is to keep moving forward. When you're feeling stressed, your body isn't able to regulate cortisol. You snack more, your brain gets fuzzy, and you lose focus. Walking or doing any kind of exercise is proven to improve brain functionality, heighten alertness, and clear out toxins. This helps you think more optimistically, puts your brain in a diffuse mode of thinking, and gets blood flowing to vital organs. You don't need to always meditate and listen to calming waters - simply going for a walk around the block can be just as beneficial.

While these steps may seem obvious, and pretty counter-intuitive to what people tell you to do when stressed, they're all logical, proven steps to help defeat stress and conquer tasks throughout the day.

When you experiment and find your perfect rhythm, you'll find you're not only completing todays tasks, but ramping up for the days ahead. The day feels shorter, your confidence boosts, and the bubble-bath feels sweeter - because hey, you really earned it!

To find out more about how to maximize your own schedule and potential, and learn how I created mine - feel free to message me directly or comment below! I'd love to chat!

xoxo,

Elise

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