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“Creating Successful Leaders”

Category Archives: Thrive at Work

May 17, 2023 How to Beat Summertime Procrastination: 6 Tips

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

As we tiptoe into summer in the Upper Midwest, it can become increasingly difficult to concentrate. Who wants to be stuck inside staring at a screen when the weather is mild and sunny? Who wants to enter information into a spreadsheet when you could be riding your bike, barbequing with your family, or simply taking a walk in the fresh air? The procrastination bug can bite hard when you’re resistant to the tasks in front of you! To help beat summertime procrastination, try any or all of the following 6 tips:

1. Take a midday break

Taking a midday break is a great way to recharge your brain and get moving. Take a 30-minute break to go for a walk, ride your bike, or simply sit outside with a good book or cup of tea and enjoy the sunshine. Getting outside can boost your mood and energy, making it easier to focus when you return to work.

2. Work during off-hours

If you’re finding it difficult to concentrate during the day, try working during off-hours. Wake up early and work before the sun rises, or work in the evening when you’re not as tempted to go outside. This way, you can take advantage of the sunshine during the day (at least for a few hours) without feeling guilty for not working.

3. Break tasks into smaller pieces

Breaking tasks into smaller pieces can help make them feel more manageable. Instead of trying to finish a big project in one day, break it into smaller tasks that you can complete over a few days. This way, you’ll feel more accomplished and less overwhelmed.

4. Set a timer

Setting a timer can help you stay focused and avoid distractions. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on a task without any interruptions. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break to stretch, grab a snack, or check your phone. Repeat this process until you finish the task. Remember, there’s really no such thing as multitasking! Focusing on one project at a time is a better use of your time AND produces better results.

5. Create a summer schedule

Creating a schedule can help you stay on track and make time for both work and play. Set aside specific times each day for work, exercise, and leisure activities. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of what you need to do each day and won’t feel guilty when you take time off to enjoy the summer weather.

6. Find an accountability partner

Having an accountability partner can help you stay motivated and on track. Find someone who shares your goals or is working on a similar project and check in with each other regularly. This way, you can hold each other accountable and offer support and encouragement along the way.

By trying these 6 tips, you can beat summertime procrastination and make the most of your summer. Remember, it’s important to take breaks, stay motivated, and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts. Happy (almost) summer!

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. 

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April 19, 2023 From Busy to Productive: 5 Steps to Take Control

We rush about our days, furiously trying to accomplish more and more, yet we often feel like we’re getting nowhere. If this resonates with you, it could be time to re-evaluate your approach to productivity. Here are five steps you can take to turn busyness into productivity.

Engage in Big-Picture Thinking

Too often, we approach our days in a reactive manner: racing to answer emails, putting out (figurative) fires, and responding to tasks. Instead, try shifting your focus to the bigger picture: what are your goals? What is your motivation? What would success look like? Take a few moments to review what you’ve accomplished in the past, the challenges you faced, and the progress you’ve made.

Simplify

Are you spending too much time on low priority tasks? Take inventory of the tasks that have filled up your days. Ask yourself what is the most meaningful thing you could be doing right now to reach the goals you’ve set for yourself? Ask yourself, “What am I avoiding?” Consider eliminating tasks that don’t support your larger goals. Reduce distractions and simplify.

Start the Day with a Plan

Rather than just diving into whatever tasks are right in front of you, take a few moments to plan out the day. Look at your bigger goals in the context of the day, and make a plan for which tasks will help you get closer to those goals. Give yourself permission to be realistic and start small. Determine what’s worth the effort and what can be left until later.

Say No

Be willing to say no to new tasks, even if you feel pressured to take them on. Respectfully decline projects that don’t work with your personal vision, goals, abilities, or current bandwidth. If a project conflicts with your goals, feel confident enough in yourself to say no.

Focus on Projects, Not Hours

If you’re told you have to sit at your desk for eight hours no matter what, you’ll likely pace yourself so you fill those eight hours exactly. This reminds me of how goldfish will grow bigger or remain small, according to how big their fish tank is. You have no motivation to work efficiently if you’ll be sitting in that chair for eight hours, no matter what.

On the other hand, if you focus on the project at hand (instead of hours), you’re more likely to work efficiently and effectively to complete it in a timely manner.

Turning busyness into productivity is not an easy task, but it IS achievable. Start by looking at the bigger picture, simplify, start your day with a plan, say no, and focus on projects instead of hours. With a few shifts in mentality, you can foster a much clearer and calmer workflow.

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. 

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April 12, 2023 How to Capitalize on High Energy Moments

Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Everyone has a pulse…and I’m not talking about the beating of your heart. Your “second pulse” is the rhythm you experience throughout the day—your ebbs and flows of energy. Some people get a burst of energy in the morning; others experience this in the afternoon or evening. And then there are times when you feel depleted and distracted—stretches of time during the day when you’re not performing at your peak.

In his book When, researcher Daniel Pink calls these daily lulls your “troughs,” but you can also think of them as your valleys or low points. Since it’s difficult to do your best work during a trough, it can be beneficial to focus on relatively simple busy work during these periods. Save the high-engagement, creative, high-stakes work for the times when your energy is high and you’re feeling motivated.

Here are 4 ways to do that:

Pay Attention

For most people, a daily trough occurs in the afternoon. Our concentration begins to slip, we grow tired, and it’s difficult to think on our feet or be terribly creative. But everyone’s different! That’s why it’s important to pay attention and begin to understand when you’re energized, and when you’re simply not.

You may also notice that your energy tends to increase or decrease during certain days of the week (e.g., low-energy Mondays vs. productive Thursdays) or during certain events (e.g., at the beginning of a new project). If you’re feeling energized, take note! And if you’re not, pay attention to that, too.

Block Off High Energy Times

If possible, block off high energy times on your calendar so no one can bother you during your peak moments. This may require setting a few healthy boundaries and saying “no” to some things (that 8 a.m. meeting), but your efforts should quickly pay off. Additionally, if you get into a pattern of consistently blocking off a certain time period for deep, intense work, your brain will start to anticipate and recognize that this is a time for high productivity.

Batch Tasks

If you’re feeling energetic and creative, take advantage of the moment by batching several tasks that can be done in one sitting. Approaching several tasks at once gives you the opportunity to take advantage of the momentum of your high energy moments and finish more in less time. Plus, you don’t have to waste time switching gears and starting up again if you’re feeling tired or disinterested.

Break It Up

If you find that the task in front of you is too daunting or complicated, don’t be afraid to break it into smaller, manageable pieces. Doing so will enable you to take advantage of moments when your energy is high, without feeling overwhelmed. It’s also a great way to ensure that you’re still making forward progress on large tasks even when your energy is low.

It’s important to pay attention to your daily energy flows and use them to your advantage. If you’re feeling energized, embrace it and tackle tough projects. If you’re feeling drained, that’s OK too – use that time to check off items from your to-do list or catch up on emails. By acknowledging the natural rhythms of energy that come with the passing of time, you can make the most of your high energy moments and effectively manage the ones that are lower.

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. 

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