I love my routine. While it's very fluid and flexible, it keeps me on track and in a groove with my work. Sometimes though your routine gets shaken up, throwing you way off track.
This often happens when you get sick, go on vacation, or get totally derailed by some unexpected life event. I'm sure you can relate. It happens to all of us now and then.
For the last eight weeks I've been recovering from a surgery that really threw me for a loop. While I'm feeling much better, I'm still dealing with fatigue that limits my work hours. And of course I'm totally off track with my routine.
It can be really difficult to get back on track, and back in a groove, when you feel stalled. Even more so when you fall behind and feel overwhelmed with the amount of catch-up work it will take to get back on a roll.
Since I'm dealing with that now myself, I thought I'd share what I do to get back on a roll and back in a groove. Because being stalled with your business - for whatever reason - is not fun OR profitable... 😉
You Are HERE. Accept It.
Whether something specific affected your creative flow, or you simply lost motivation, accept it for what it is. There's no sense getting all worked up over it. Yes, it's frustrating. But there's no sense getting (or staying) frustrated.
Take a moment to figure out exactly where you are, and what it will take to get back on track. Note the things that are stressing you most, and determine if they are really high priorities. Jot down everything you feel you need to do in order to catch up or get things moving in the right direction again.
Make A List, Then Break It Down.
Take your "brain dump" list and prioritize it.
Deadlines and Money Tasks should be at the top of the list.
As for those deadlines, make sure you're working with true deadlines, not self-imposed deadlines or someone else's priorities.
Determine your Top Three Priorities, then break them down into micro-tasks.
Get The Ball Rolling: Go Through The Motions.
Feel like it or not, start at the top of your prioritized list and do the first task. Do it, get it done, and mark it off, then go to the next one. A sense of accomplishment is a great way to kick-start motivation and get you back on a roll.
Even if it doesn't work, and you still feel flat, you will have at least marked some high priority tasks off your list. 😉
Continue doing this every day, starting each day by doing the top three priorities on your list. Forget the entire task list - that will simply overwhelm you. Focus only on the current priorities, and work through them methodically.
This is what works best for me when I'm off track for whatever reason. It really is a mental game. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, we all deal with various distractions, etc. But at the end of the day you want to be moving forward with your business, and the best way to do that is to focus on doing the steps, one foot in front of the other.
Best,
p.s. If you aren't quite sure what you should be doing in your business, or how to get started and/or get to the next level, you should join us in my Private Brainstorming Group and let me help you make this your best year yet. 😉
About Lynn Terry
Glad you're getting back on track---LOVE that image!
Thank you Patti! It was taken by the river near where I live. One of my favorite nature walks. 😉
So very glad to see you up and about Lynn. You've been missed!
Thank you Caroline! 😀 It's been slow going, but I'm feeling MUCH better this week than last. I'm excited about getting back in my groove and back to my usual hyper-productive state. 😉
My dad's death and getting a bad case of influenza/pneumonia earlier this year threw me for a loop as well. But some bad things have led to even better good things. Glad to hear you are feeling better (I had that same surgery a few years ago)!
Thank you, Kim! I'm so sorry to hear you lost your dad earlier this year. My heart goes out to you. *hugs*
Hey Lynn,
It's been so long I almost forget how to do this. LOL
A great post and an even awesomer picture. Thanks for sharing!
Really great to see that you are bouncing back. Fatigue is the one thing that limits me the most. Over 10 years now and you would think that it would have eased off at some point. (of course my Left side paralysis can be frustrating to deal with as well)
I am wishing you well with your recovery and getting back to your "bouncy, bouncy" normal.
I hope you are having a most awesome stress/fatigue reduced day! 🙂
smiles, 🙂
Thank you Gary! 😀 I really admire your perseverance given what you've been through. I'm not sure how well I would handle this situation long term, but you obviously have handled yours very well. Kudos!
hey Lynn,
good to have you back with us, your community.
I hope you have wonderful people around you that support you and push your "limits" (positively speaking).
Focusing on true priorities and getting things done is key, but unless you have the right support group (maybe that's why you're also running a Brainstorming Group?), real people that are close to you (not just online), you cannot really advance.
What do you think?
Hi John,
Given my personal experience, I would agree. It can be done alone, which I have definitely proven in the past, but it's not ideal - at all. I'm working more and more on increasing / improving my (local) personal network. 😉
Hello Lynn,
I totally understand what you're saying. I have a friend who is a fitness enthusiast and personal trainer. Almost a year ago, she had something like aortic valve surgery. I don't remember which valve was damaged and needed to be fixed by placing a technical valve part in-between her heart.
After surgery, she hasn't worked yet as a personal trainer and she was depressed for a long period of time. Now this part motivates me too. You have to either accept your situation and move forward, or stay behind and focus on the problem.
It's very hard to deal with a bad situation / event but we tent to forget that the past doesn't equal the future and our destiny is in our hands, in our future choices and decisions.
I hope you're doing better, it's great to meet people like you, inspiring and motivating that makes you decide living a better life by making better choices and forget problems that holds you back.
Regards,
John
My heart goes out to your friend, John. It's really hard when you get derailed like that. And my research on anesthesia shows that is a common side effect - severe fatigue, depression, "brain fog" etc - and it can last for months (and months...). It's certainly not something I anticipated with a "routine surgery."
On that topic. I've been reading a great book during my recovery titled Constructive Living - which is all about how to move forward whether you FEEL like it or not. I mentioned it at the end of this post: http://www.clicknewz.com/6264/raising-the-bar/
It follows my own beliefs and my personal experience for making positive life change, even when you're dealing with (seemingly overwhelming) negatives. It's a great read with very practical advice you can implement straight away! *cheers*
When my hyperthyroid adventure was at it's worst, one of the things that messed with my head was the total inability to 'think wide' about things. In the midst of the brain fog, you start to wonder if the YOU you remember will ever be back.
I've realized this year that there are a LOT of solopreneurs dealing with brain fog and fatigue for a variety of reasons - some that won't be going away.
I'm so glad that YOU are getting back to normal and appreciate you sharing your experience and advice.
It really is frustrating - and scary. There's nothing like feeling distanced from your True Self, and not having the energy, or even being sure how to get back to that place. I can't even imagine knowing it was permanent. For me, knowing it would eventually pass is what got me through it. It was definitely a humbling experience, particularly after - like you - meeting others who were dealing with it much more long term than me...
Man, was this ever what I needed right now, too. I'm just not 'quite right' since my Puppy passed away. I just can't seem to find my "on switch" most days. I'm going to re-read this first thing in the morning and try to tackle a few things. I'm so glad that you're feeling better - I've heard of that bad reaction happening - what a horrible feeling that must've been. Big HUGS!!
I had no idea you lost Puppy, Lisa - I'm so sorry to hear that. 🙁 Grief is such a tough thing, and really does need it's time. I went through that when I lost Mylah last year, and I know just how hard it is. *hugs* back to you, my friend!
Lynn Terry happy to see you back again and love your post today. I often off track myself and improved a lot reading your blog.
Your inspirational message amazed me.
Best wishes and happy Easter to you
also to all from Singapore
Thank you, James! 😀
Hi Lynn, hope your feeling better. I got off track slightly over the last year when Google wiped out most of my earnings. After analysing the whole situation, I have found many areas where I made mistakes and now I have learned from those mistakes. I am just starting to get back on track and am going to move much quicker this time around.
Looking forward to your upcoming posts over the next few months.
You're not alone, Mark - a lot of people went through that over the last year or so. It's frustrating no doubt, but I'm glad you're picking back up and getting things going again - in the right direction this time. 😉
Hey Lynn, nice post. And looks like that's a nice and peaceful place to walk. 🙂 It's tough getting back in a groove sometimes. I hope you had a fantastic Easter! 🙂
Thank you, Tammy! It really is a beautiful walk, one of my favorites. 😀
I totally can relate on your post..
I high appreciated this! T.Y.!
Happy Easter!
Thank you, Rayzel! 😀
Hi Lynn,
So glad you're feeling better and getting back into the groove!
You're so right when you advise to just do it, even if you don't feel like it, I find it's the only way to get back to being productive. And once a few of those tasks on the list have been completed the little "achievement high" you get really does motivate you to keep going.
Mel
So true, Mel. A "sense of accomplishment" is my favorite thing under the sun! 😀
It is always good to have a organized plan to succeed. Without such a plan you are just doing doing things randomly. Good list to keep in mind!
Great point, Michael. It's easy to stay "busy" without actually moving forward, or working toward a specific goal strategically. 😉
Great post. I need to make sure I'm making a list and have some real dead lines. Thanks for the tips Lynn.
You're welcome, Shawn - glad you enjoyed! I love hearing how others deal with time management, productivity, etc - and always pick up something I can use myself. *cheers*
I can not tell you how much thankful I an today. I had a bad week yesterday when my partener lied to me and that is something I do not expect from people who I trust the most. I took time to start in blogging and decided to finish all the projects myself which we left in between and never talk or see that person again in my life. I feel its better to move on then being in touch with those people. This post helped me a lot.
I'm really sorry to hear that. Deception is the worst. Good for you for picking up and carrying on, and putting it in your past. I've been in your shoes, so I know how difficult that can be.
Hi Lynn, 🙂
I hope you are steadily getting back in your groove, I'm looking forward to your future videos and posts. =)
I also am now using Evernote...wow it's awesome! I love it, I always have it in my task bar.
I will be working on the microtasking next week. Thanks so much for your helpful posts and connections on Twitter and Facebook! 🙂
Hope you have an awesome day.
Thank you Tammy! I am slowly but surely getting back into a routine. I'm still struggling with energy, and look forward to the "bounce back" that's supposed to happen soon. 😀 lol
Glad to hear you're loving Evernote. It has been a HUGE save for me. Really improved my productivity & efficiency!!
Getting out of the slump and into the routine is often the hardest part. Thanks for the tips and glad to see you back blogging again!
I agree, Leanne - Thank you! 😀
Hey Lynn, you did inform us about your surgery. Hope you are recovering well, and yes you are right it gets very difficult to get back in line with the disturbed routine. I completely agree with the suggestion of working on things one at a time.
Thank you Katie. 🙂 The biggest issue for me has been getting my usual energy back. It's more than 9 weeks out now and I am just starting to regain focus and enough energy to get back to a semi-routine. 😛 *cheers*
I personally become very demotivated if my routine gets disturbed, its takes a hell lot of effort and time for me to settle down all over again. I being an impulsive person don't have that much of patience, and I completely agree with the tips you shared Lynn, thanks for sharing.
It's not easy, Sam - I agree. 😉 It requires a serious kick-start, lol.
Hi Lynn,
I have been a long time reader of yours here at Click Newz! Just wanted to tell you that your content more than anyone else's has been extremely helpful to me in creating my blog and eventually monetizing.
I'm glad to see that you are getting back on track and I look forward to more great content.
Thank You