How To Master Your Inner Squirrel

Let me tell you about a recent chat with my client, a brilliant IT director crushing it in her career but secretly battling what she called her "inner squirrel" during remote work.

Sound familiar?

"Ghada, how do I turn this can't-sit-still energy into get-stuff-done power?"

One minute I'm laser-focused, the next I'm reorganizing my digital files for the third time this week.

"I'm drowning in boring routines. How can I channel this restless energy into actual productivity?”

If you're nodding along, thinking, "That's so me!" - stick with me. We're about to turn that fidgety energy into your secret weapon.

Meet Your Restless Saboteur

Let's talk about that part of you that makes you bounce your leg during Zoom calls or suddenly remember you need to reorganize your inbox... for the third time today. In positive intelligence, we identify this part in us as "Restless Saboteur."

I personally identify with this aspect of myself and am continuously striving to master it, instead of being controlled by it.

This saboteur isn't your enemy. It's more like an overeager intern - full of energy but needs guidance. Left unchecked, it'll have you chasing squirrels all day. But with the right approach? It becomes your productivity powerhouse.

Understanding the Restless Saboteur

The Restless Saboteur is a part of our psyche that constantly seeks stimulation and change. It's the voice that whispers, "This is boring, check your phone!" during important meetings. It also prompts you to keep up with the latest trends, play with AI bots, or reorganize your desk instead of focusing on that important report.

But this saboteur is a misguided ally, trying to protect you from perceived threats like boredom or stagnation. The key is learning to redirect its energy, not suppress it.

The Roots of Restlessness

To truly master our Restless Saboteur, we need to understand its origins. This restlessness often stems from deep-seated conditioning and fears. I relate to all these conditioning:

1. The Stillness is Not Safe. One of my fears, conditioned by the civil war in Lebanon, is perceiving stillness as danger. To survive, we felt the need to continually move towards shelter, which led my family to relocate us.
2. The stillness is not productive. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that constant motion equals productivity. Our Restless Saboteur whispers, "If you're not doing something, you're falling behind." This belief can make stillness feel uncomfortable or even threatening.
3. The Fulfillment is Always Elsewhere. Our Restless Saboteur thrives on the illusion that satisfaction lies just beyond our current task. It's the voice that says, "The next project will be more exciting," or "You'll be happy once you finish this." This mindset keeps us chasing an elusive sense of fulfillment.
4. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). In our hyper-connected world, the Restless Saboteur feeds on the anxiety that we might be missing something important. It urges us to constantly check emails, scroll through social media, or take on more commitments than we can handle.
5. The Fear of Better Options (FOBO). Related to FOMO, this is the paralysis that comes from wanting to make the "best" choice. Our Restless Saboteur convinces us that there's always a better option out there, making it difficult to commit fully to our current task or decision.

Understanding these underlying factors is crucial. It allows us to approach our restlessness with compassion and insight, rather than frustration. Remember, these patterns developed as protective mechanisms, but they may no longer serve us in our current roles as leaders and achievers.

Reflection Exercise Take a moment to identify which of these factors resonate most with you. In your journal or notes app, write down:

1. Which aspect of the Restless Saboteur do you recognize most in yourself?
2. How has this pattern impacted your work and leadership style?
3. What would change if you could shift this mindset?

By bringing awareness to these deep-seated patterns, we take the first step in transforming our relationship with restlessness.

Ready To Transform That Restless Energy?

1. Saboteur Identification: Take the free Saboteur Assessment . This will help you understand how your Restless Saboteur operates alongside other saboteurs you might have.
2. Reframe the Fidget energy: Next time you feel restless, say, "This is my potential energy waiting to be channeled." It's not a flaw; it's fuel for achievement.
3. Movement Breaks: Set a timer for 50 minutes of focused work. When it goes off, do a 10-minute Break.During this break, do a quick series of stretches, desk yoga, or even a one-song dance party. Return to your task refreshed and re-energized.
4. Variety is the Spice of Work Life: Assign different "habitats" to different tasks. For instance, use your desk for analytical work and a comfortable chair for creative brainstorming. Physically moving between these spaces can help reset your focus.
5. Start with "Micro-Breaks or PQ Reps: Set three alarms throughout your day for 60-second breath focus sessions or any micro mindfulness breaks(reach out to send some examples). This strengthens your 'Sage' brain, weakening the saboteurs. It's like a power nap for your mind!
6. Sage Perspective: When you feel restless, ask "How can this energy serve my goals right now?". List three potential positive outcomes of your current task. This will bring you perspective to what’s important and activates your Sage, countering the Restless Saboteur's negativity.

Unconventional Twists:

• Keep a list of small, useful tasks (like organizing a digital folder or sending a quick follow-up email). When you feel the urge to procrastinate, choose from this list instead of falling into unproductive habits.
• Create a 'Task Roulette' for your to-do list. Write tasks on slips of paper and randomly select one when you're feeling restless. This adds an element of surprise to your day while ensuring productivity.
• Have an "Upside Down Hour" where you literally invert your perspective. Lie on the floor with your laptop or write on a whiteboard upside down!
• "Laughter Meditation" - spend 5 minutes forcing yourself to laugh. It's scientifically proven to reduce stress!

Your Challenge

This week, I challenge you to try at least two of these strategies. Then, come back here and share your experience. Which one was your favorite? Did you come up with any creative twists of your own?

Let's turn those fidgets into focus, together!

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Who's?Ghada Khalifeh? ?I am a Certified Professional Coach, Entrepreneur, Human Consciousness advocate, and Podcaster. I partner with ambitious individuals, anxious leaders, and busy entrepreneurs who are ready to redefine success and happiness in a fast-paced environment and learn how to lead a more fulfilling life and impactful career with flow and joy. Let's connect!