10 Minute Reset to Avoid Total Overload
Time Management, Stress Management, Productivity, Personal Satisfaction
Smartphones and watches, tablets and laptops, they can be the savior or bane of one’s quality of life. I say they’re both. They help us stay informed and make it easier to work on the go. It also means the inclination to remain connected to our inbox, texts and social media when it’s time to focus on whomever or whatever is directly in front of us is often irresistible. And when what we need is down time to think, recharge or just enjoy, we can be easily lured back into the “busyness” of things and stay in overload mode.
We are, at times, so chronically overloaded we’re numb to it until we short circuit. Can you distinguish when you are reaching your limit?
Here are some tell-tale signs you should look out for:
Limited creativity in problem solving, content or product development
An increase in your effort is no longer yielding positive returns
Conversational and social cues usually obvious to you now need to be pointed out to you
The sense of urgency is increasing and everything seems to be a “have to do”
There’s a lack of enjoyment and satisfaction in a job well done
Try a 10-Minute Reset
Take 10 short minutes to reminisce on your favorite childhood memories or shining accomplishments of yester year. The further back you can go, the better. How you felt playing dress up, learning how to swim, bike riding with friends, dancing when no one was watching, experiencing your favorite movie or book for the first time. Reconnect to how you felt: creative, adventurous, capable, joyous, fearless, enraptured…in the moment.
When you get back to your task, you’ll feel calmer and think clearer.
Here are a few suggestions for how you can build this 10-minute reset into an overloaded day or add one in on the fly to avoid an implosion:
Build those minutes into your morning shower—you’ll find it more enjoyable than hitting the snooze button that 2nd time and it’s a great way to start the day.
Schedule it! Book it in the only blank space you have left on your calendar. And attend that meeting with yourself in the stairway if you have to.
Is your office in the city? Take a spontaneous walk around the block, slowly. (It might take a few tries before your slower stride feels comfortable.)
Take a solo trip to Starbucks with your ear buds in place, but don’t turn anything on, just reminiscence.
Delay turning the car radio on. Ride in silence for a few minutes. Imagine your teenage self going for your driver's permit, taking the road test, getting your license. Ah, the thrill!
Remember that song you played at least 10 times in a row when you were 12 or 16? Surely you can play it 3 or 4 times in a row now. Create a playlist of all your youthful favorites. You’ll get more than 10 minutes with this idea.
After you’ve parked the car, have your minutes, then go inside and get the kids from aftercare or walk into your house. Ok, I understand the grind and maybe you can’t do a full 10 minutes. Shoot for 5 minutes. And as far as the visual, consider pulling over a block before the school/your house to get your minutes in and then finish strong!
Consider making this part of your routine. Don’t be surprised if you become more inquisitive about how you can enjoy more of your time more often, feel less bogged down and still tick the box on your business priorities.
This type of 10-minute reset can have positive immediate and residual effects. Try one of these tips this week and let me know how it improved your experience.