Do you sometimes have a day where you’re struggling mentally or stressed by your workload, that even the simplest of things like replying to an email or returning a call can seem hard?
This is a normal feeling and one that we all suffer with at some point in our everyday and work lives. We have a few little techniques to help you get through your busy work schedule that might help you…
Plan your day…
Time Management is great so plan a structure of your day, so you do not feel overwhelmed and be sure to designate breaks, including lunch and exercise (even if it’s a little walk) to get some fresh air! Block out times in your calendar for emails, meetings and follow-up calls etc so that you are reminded what you’re doing next!
Make lists, and stick to them…
If you have a busy workload, creating a list can help you to focus on what needs to be done. It’s important to prioritise anything with a deadline, but if you can, start with a task that you enjoy helping you start the day motivated.
We all have those busy days where at the end of the day, you know you have been busy but don’t know what you have achieved, so throughout the day, mark everything that has been completed so that you can see you have accomplished something.
Never go back to “yesterdays” list as you will be overwhelmed and you will find yourself looking at 10 lists, trying to complete them all! Before you finish work for the day, anything that was not completed, add it to the top of the next day’s list.
Play music in the background…
If you’re working remotely, you can sometimes struggle to sit in silence as you are used to the hustle and bustle of an office and the noise can sometimes push you through when you are feeling unmotivated, down, or un-inspired to start a certain task.
By having the radio, or your favourite playlist on in the background while working on your own, it can help you to relax and get you into the right mind-set to start or finish that task on your list you are trying to avoid.
Do a weekly self-review…
So, you have planned each day and wrote your to-do lists and hopefully feel less stress and overwhelmed by the end of the week but take time on a Friday to check any outstanding tasks as well as acknowledge completion of others.
Did you accomplish everything you needed to, Did you take enough breaks and did you ask for help when needed? These are great questions to ask yourself to clarify what you have done and what you need to do the following week.
Take a break…
Alongside your lunch breaks, when you are feeling overwhelmed with a project or if you have been working on something for a long period of time, be sure to take a short break – this can be something as simple as making a drink, getting up to stretch or going for a little walk!
You will be surprised at how much a short pause can help you to refocus once you have stepped away for 5 minutes.
Get dressed for work…
Even if you are working remotely, you should dress the same as you would if you were going to the office. By making the effort to dress smart, do your hair and makeup, even if you don’t have any virtual meetings that day!, will make a big difference.
You will feel more organised and motivated to work if you are not sitting in your PJs or gym clothes and will help you to focus on maintaining your work routine.
Check in with your team…
Often if you are feeling down or unmotivated, you are not alone, so don’t feel like you are!.
Check in with your team throughout the day, there might be something on your list that someone can help with, that you can get a little boost of inspiration to complete from a colleague or even something that you can help them with.
By working as a team, you will help each other reach goals and be more confident to ask for help or talk through tasks when needed.
So, remember that it’s important not to feel overwhelmed or beat yourself up over feeling a certain way – make little steps to help and talk to others and be sure to take care of yourself and the productivity, achievements and success will follow!
