There’s nothing more disappointing than having the greatest intention to be super productive all day, only to get derailed by someone or something that you never really expected to throw you completely off course.
It happens to everybody. And when it does, it’s easy enough to convince yourself that there’s no way to get back on track without starting the whole day over again.
The reality is that you can push the restart button on your day whether it’s 10 o’clock in the morning, 3 o’clock in the afternoon, or even later. Here are some good techniques to help you get back on track.
Stop everything you’re doing and either go for a walk or do some meditation to help take your mind off everything.
First things first—you need to clear your head of all the junk that’s making you frustrated and keeping you from being productive. The best way to do that is to remove yourself from your current environment.
Go for a 20-minute walk around the neighborhood, making sure to give your full attention to your surroundings as you pass every tree, building and person. Alternatively, you could go find a park bench or a relatively quiet area where you can sit and meditate without being interrupted by anyone.
When you return, take a few minutes to remind yourself what you’re grateful for.
Your mind may be clear, but you may still be dreading all the stuff you now have to finish in however much time there’s still left in the day. If you can change your perspective and focus on all the positive things that you’ll get out of doing what you need to do, those tasks won’t seem nearly as daunting.
Journal about how you want the rest of your day to go.
Many people get derailed during the day because they forget to identify their big priorities and establish a real plan of action. Instead of just reacting to everything that distracts you, pull out a regular notebook or a text file on your computer, and just start writing about what you really need to get done today.
Supercharge your motivation by promising yourself some small reward for completing each task.
We’re pleasure-seeking creatures, so for all those things you’d rather avoid or procrastinate doing for as long as possible, train yourself to look forward to a small reward for completing the task. For example, you could reward yourself by calling a friend, checking Facebook for 20 minutes or going to grab a coffee from a cafe.
Getting derailed happens, but it doesn’t have to completely ruin your day. You can save so much time and energy just by following the above tips rather than succumbing to your own negative thoughts and feelings.
Source: Elise Moreau, care2.com
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