At times, life in the office can be frantically busy, perhaps even chaotic. Deadlines to meet, meetings to attend and projects to complete all have a tendency to converge into a point of frenzy.
Yet, a calm, purposeful and productive demeanor can be maintained, even in the midst of chaos.
How?
Four simple strategies can propel you through a busy day, while allowing you to keep your peace of mind:
1. Set an intention for what you desire to create today. Most folks begin their day by diving straight into whatever is on the desk (maybe even what's left over from yesterday). Without a clear intention that focuses and prioritizes what must be accomplished today, how can you expect to be clear in mind and focused in action? Set an intention that clearly states what you desire to experience today and what you intend to do. Remember, an intention statement is not a to-do list. It is a simple, clear statement of intention that supports you in creating what you desire.
2. Clear your space. I'm intrigued by piles. Some folks have piles of stuff and they navigate through them fairly well. Others get paralyzed by piles and can't focus in their presence. Either way, clear a reasonable space for yourself to work in. Then, only introduce into the cleared space what you are working on at the present moment. Nothing else!
3. Your full presence is requested--no multi-tasking allowed. I know this might be a hard one for those of us who are accustomed to checking e-mail, talking on the phone, drinking a cup of coffee, making notes on a to-do list and mentally planning our presentation--all at the same time. Stop it! Multi-tasking has been hoisted upon us as the next best thing to sliced bread in a world where nothing is delivered fast enough. Rather than multi-task, try this: take one project and close out all distractions. Give this project (and this project only) your complete and undivided focus, care and attention for a specified amount of time. When you come fully present to what you're doing in any given moment, giving that project your absolute best, magic happens. Your productivity increases, your work takes on a higher quality and your inner calm is maintained.
4. When you're done, you're done. When you've completed the day, you're complete. Don't take the stuff from the office home to your family. They don't want it. Don't mentally review all the stuff you didn't get done today. Let it go. You're done for the day. No guilt. Tomorrow is another day. Besides, you've done your best, so you've got reason to celebrate yourself.
So, there's my two cents on how to manage office storms while remaining calm.
Enjoy a tranquil & productive day!
Valerie Love
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