The average person has 70,000 thoughts a day, and getting them organised can sometimes be a challenge. For let’s face it, often the biggest factor in our unproductivity is not outside circumstances – we can’t always blame the tree feller in the parking lot – but ourselves!
But while we may all agree that productivity is vital for success in business, it’s comforting to learn that a good dose of unproductivity doesn’t always go astray too.
Most of our thoughts are just this — thoughts – not facts. And getting them into order is a task in itself. Largely it’s done for us, often without us being too aware of it, by our brain, which faithfully goes on working day in and day out, processing the info it is presented with. But sometimes, on unproductive days especially, it all seems to grind to a halt.
There are many people, writers especially, who swear by a little housework to help them find just the title they were looking for. There are others who attest to the value of a soak in the tub to achieve that eureka moment. While we can’t all ditch our desks for a spot of vacuuming or to run a bath, there are many forms of “corporate housework” that can have the same effects. Here are some “unproductive” activities that can serve to free up our brain space and help process our thoughts so that when we come back to our desks, the tasks flow coherently.
Take a break. Our brains and bodies simply aren’t wired for prolonged periods of work. If your body is twitching to move and your mind is wandering, they are probably right! While you may feel that sitting at your desk for 8 hours solid is the way to go, try getting up every 50 minutes for a quick break before turning back to matters at hand.
Re-focus and re-prioritize. Try to recognize when you’re spinning your wheels. When your day hasn’t gone according to plan, regardless of the reason, reschedule and decide how best to use your remaining time and set about achieving those goals.
Take Control of Your Emotions. Sometimes it’s emotions that get in the way of a productive day. While it’s impossible to control how things make you feel, you have complete control over how you react to your feelings. Try to identify what you are feeling and why you are feeling it, and then channel those emotions for the best possible outcome.
Unplug. If time is short and you’re wondering how to achieve your goals, turn off your phone and emails. Being intentional about mail and calls will free you from getting disturbed by non-urgent matters.
Get active. A good workout or something as simple as a brisk walk, even on the most low-energy day, will help refocus your attention, and refresh your mind.
Tidy your desk. Yes, you may be doing it simply to procrastinate, but the progress is motivational in its own right, as is the cleared desk space. You’ll probably find the sense of achievement catching and start on your next more serious task with more enthusiasm.
Take a deep breath. As simple as it sounds, take five minutes to unwind, be conscious of breathing deeply, unclenching your jaw and relaxing your shoulders. It’s an effective way to refocus.
Take a mini vacation. You don’t have too much to do tomorrow? Schedule those things into today or the next day, take a complete break and prevent yourself from doing any work at all. You’ll be surprised at how re-motivated you are the day after.
