Embracing Acceptance

"Assess and accept" has become a new mantra in our household.

We realised how much pressure we were putting on ourselves when things didn’t go as planned—whether it’s looking after a one-year-old who’s into everything, dealing with household surprises, or balancing family life with work. Life’s unpredictability is constant and can feel very overwhelming, and while we can’t control every situation, we can control how we respond.

More often than not, it’s the endless overthinking that can de-rail us, not the event itself. Overthinking leads to thoughts like I don't know what I'm doing and I can’t do this!

This is where mindset comes in: if we can’t change what’s happened, we can change how we think about it and avoid spiralling.

The motto I’m now living by is: have a plan, make it flexible, accept that things will happen, and get back on track!

Studies have shown that acceptance-based approaches can significantly improve productivity and mental resilience. For instance, research from the University of Illinois found that individuals who practice acceptance experience up to a 30% increase in productivity and are better equipped to handle stressors without becoming distracted or overwhelmed.?

Tips for Staying Productive in a Way That Works for You

Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful:

• Set weekly goals on Sunday or Monday morning. Take your time with this—have a coffee, be in a quiet space, and make your goals intentional and well thought-out.
• Pencil in ideal times to get the work done, along with some ‘back-up’ slots for those unexpected events.
• Be smart with scheduling—use free time to queue emails and posts to go out over the week.
• Write things down! Whether it’s in a notebook, on your phone, or on your laptop, make notes of what needs doing. For me, if it’s not written down, it doesn’t get done!
• Check in with yourself daily. Reflect on what you’ve achieved and adjust plans for the rest of the week as needed.
• Celebrate your accomplishments. Make a list of what you’ve achieved each day, even the unplanned wins. It’s a great way to acknowledge progress, however small.

When things get tough, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and feel grateful for how far you’ve come.

Accept… Then Take Action!

I used to think accepting a situation meant giving in to it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Accepting what’s happened doesn’t mean you’re powerless; often, it means you’re ready to take action.

Acceptance is liberating. It allows you to move on by shifting from overthinking the past to focusing on what’s in your control.

When you catch yourself overthinking a past event or feeling frustrated about unmet goals, try asking yourself:

• Why am I upset about what has (or hasn’t) happened?
• How is this making me feel?
• What will happen if I keep thinking this way?
• What is in my control? What can I do about it?
• If I take action, what’s the worst that could happen?
• Once I’ve done what’s in my control, how will I feel?

Take some quiet time to consider these questions. Reflecting can make all the difference.