I feel best when I have momentum, when I’m making forward progress.
Many a days have been wasted with no forward movement. And those days I do not feel good.
So why do some days seem more productive than others? Why do some days flow with momentum the whole day through? Why do I feel amazing somedays but not everyday?
There are a few things I’ve identified so far:
Clear Priorities
A Plan
Being Organized
I want to talk about being organized. Our schedule is up in the air right now. The organization Jess is a full time volunteer for previously designated some child care for our son. But today our nanny is headed back to Norway and we haven’t been told if we will get a replacement or not. So since I have the more flexible schedule I’m planning to hang out with our son during Jess’ work hours.
I’m learning to keep momentum going you have to quickly adapt to changes. Is this ideal? No. We might get told today (hoping!) that they are moving some people around, but that might not happen either.
So I can either sit and stew on it and feel like it’s my “right” to have child care provided for us (which it’s not) or I can come up with a plan on how to adapt to this situation. Interesting how entitlement always leads to bitterness.
So yesterday even though I got things done that were much needed, multiple loads of laundry, some grocery shopping, cleaning. I felt like most of my day was a waste. I didn’t feel good. I didn’t feel like my day had momentum.
I did a lot of things that needed to be done, but I didn’t get to do some of the other things that I thought were valuable. And a big part of that was my own fault. I hit snooze on my alarm and didn’t wake up until late. Meaning I chose to be victim to the chaos of the day, instead of getting out ahead of it. I can’t blame anyone but me for that one.
So last night I went to the office. I’m learning the value of focused uninterrupted work. I turned off my chat apps and anything else that could ding at me, or alert me. And I opened up a google sheet and mapped out my week schedule with the new changes.
I also specifically clarified some of the things that would happen during some of the chunks of time. I’ve got a big chunk of time to hang out with my son here. What would be a good use of that time? How can I plan that time so it’s best for both of us? A walk with @hikarlthegreat will be a good use of that time.
I’ve got a chunk of work time set out here. What are my priorities when it comes to work? What are the specific things I need to be working on this week?
Seeing this on a google sheet mapped out helps me be organized. It’s planning. So that when I get to the next phase in my day I already know what I’m doing. I don’t have to make any decisions. I’ve already mapped out my priorities for that time.
Being organized helps you readily see your plan and priorities. It helps keep momentum going. Knowing the purpose of each phase of your day and the specific details of what will make that a great phase is good to see on paper. That way you know how to win.
Another way organization helps me with momentum is if I’m organized I know WHAT I need (physical things) to make that phase of the day successful. Have I mise en place those things so I can easily roll into the next phase or am I having to constantly interrupt myself to go get something, or find something I need?
The other thing about organization which I’m still working on is visual clutter. When there are a million things around that aren’t in their place my brain processes that as stress. Things I need to be doing which is a subconscious or sometimes even conscious distraction.
I’m learning! Learning what you need to do, and actually doing it are two separate steps. But I’m making forward progress.
