Has time sped up? Surely that is the reason. It seems like everyone these days is “busy”. And if we are not busy there is something lacking; potentially sliding down the scale on the cool-o-meter.
As I rushed through an office equipment superstore today looking for extra storage, more paper and of course cute notepads and pencils (that I likely did not need) I was stopped by the extraordinary amount of fashionable productivity props. Glossy posters of perfectly designed desk accessories, stylish to-do lists, quirky post-it notes, sleek organisers etc. Thinking to myself “productivity sells!” Are we in an age where we are so busy getting busy that we are tying ourselves in unproductive knots?
I get bitten by the busy bug all too often. I am a Capricorn it is my birth right! “Work” takes precedence over absolutely everything in my life.
But what about balance? The work hard/play hard theory can exist and productivity is completely accessible with or without the colourful stationary and funky diaries.
Here are my three steps to a productive day and making sure that hoop/play time is left wide open.
Morning Brain Dump. Get it out and onto paper/iPad. There is nothing worse than a head cluttered with spiralling to-do-lists. Just like that first caffeine hit gives you a spring in your step, writing a list of things you are focusing on for the day will make space in your brain for creativity.
You can even break up your Morning Brain Dump into priority groups. Absolutely, positively must get done by 1pm. Will get to in the afternoon. Want to work on today. Something like that.
Schedule it in. Make joy a priority in your day and schedule in “feel good time” In these 10/30/60 minute time slots schedule in something you love to do. HOOP, have a cup of tea and read, stretch, draw, garden, sing, create a vision board etc Allowing these essential moments in your day will not only boost your emotions they will add to your clarity.
Cut the crap. Part of our “busy”ness is also responding to the constant alarms of distractions that are all around. Cell phones, social media updates, magazine covers, text messages, Google! These distractions trick us into thinking we are fabulous multi-tasking robots but really all they are doing is killing productivity, damaging focus and cutting into precious play time.
Solid chunks of work time without any distractions can be far more productive than a whole day of being dragged all over by interfering Facebook feeds.
Do a distraction detox and feel the cleansing benefits.
Now with all of the extra time on your hands you can go hoop.
