UXL Blog

I’ve worked and spoken with many people who are constantly on the go. They juggle family responsibilities, work, household management, volunteering, and more, while attempting to squeeze in a little time for themselves (working out at the gym, reading a few pages of a book). This pace can work for a while, but when one thing fails, that can create a dominoes-effect disaster. Alternatively, an overly busy person might simply hit a wall and feel completely zapped of energy.

I urge you to not let things come to that. It’s far better to read the signs that, yes, you need to slow down instead of racing forward until your legs give out! Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

Let’s talk about 4 signs that you need to slow down and reassess/re-plan.

1. Your mind is hazy

If you feel foggy for large chunks of the day and you’re having trouble concentrating, chances are you need to slow down. Unless you’re dealing with an underlying health issue (like a thyroid problem), the culprit is likely a lack of sleep and/or spreading yourself too thin.

Make a Change:

Make a concerted effort to get enough sleep each night (7-9 hours for most people). Try using a meditation app to help slow any racing thoughts, prepare for bedtime well in advance, and stay away from screens for at least an hour before you head to bed.

2. You’re focused on the trees

Fixating on daily tasks and minute details (the trees instead of the forest) can be a sign that you’re running full steam ahead and need to pause. When we’re overly busy, we don’t stop to strategize—to see the big picture. Instead, we put our heads down and simply work…even if our work is taking us in the wrong direction.

Make a Change:

I encourage you to set aside time for big-picture thinking and planning. This planning might revolve around your work (Is your team really heading in the right direction? Are you prioritizing the right projects?) or your personal path.

3. You have trouble being present

When we’re tired and stressed, it can be exceedingly difficult to stay present. When others are speaking, we don’t necessarily give them the attention they deserve; instead, our minds are elsewhere, flitting through our to-do lists, current troubles, and the latest thing we read on social media.

Make a Change:

Recognize the importance of being present. When you catch yourself not fully paying attention to someone, make an effort to bring your attention back to them. Challenge yourself to repeat/summarize what that person said, either to yourself or out loud (It sounds like you’re suggesting XYZ, Jana. Is that right?). You can also make an effort to ask good questions after someone is done speaking.

4. You’ve neglected your self-care

If you’re skipping gym workouts and yoga classes, eating a rushed meal at your desk, and can’t remember the last time you did something nice for yourself, chances are you need to slow down and reevaluate your self-care. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. Without it, we tend to either burn out or not feel great, and that can affect many other areas of our lives.

Make a Change:

If you’re like many people I know, if it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening! Block off self-care on your personal calendar and commit to it, just as you would commit to a scheduled meeting with your boss. Set aside time to do the things that fuel your body and soul—exercise, read a book, bake cookies, take a walk outside. Once you start taking better care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to shine at work and be there for your family/friends.

If you’re constantly busy and constantly tired or stretched too thin, it may be time to pump the brakes. Pay attention to yourself and do NOT ignore the signs. This is your body and mind telling you that it’s time to slow down, assess, and potentially make some changes before going full steam ahead.

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MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: Margaret Smith coaching, Margaret Smith life coach, signs you need to slow down, slow down fast pace, slow down for better quality of life, worn out slow down