Are you busier than ever before, but wondering if you're accomplishing anything? Is your schedule packed between homeschooling and meetings for work, so you don't have time to think about what's most important with today's shifting priorities?
Are you feeling anxious trying to figure out where to start because you have too many things to do? Are you watching others fly past you and stay productive while you're struggling to recall what day it is?
If that's you, join the club! COVID-19 has left many of us with less social connection, more distraction, and less time to complete all of our tasks around the house and spend time with our families.
I believe all leaders want to be productive and effective. In my book, Getting Unstuck: A Guide to Moving Your Career Forward, I share a Ghanaian proverb that motivates me when I'm feeling overwhelmed:
"An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep."
I believe if you're reading this, you are a lion. Many of us are leading at work and at home. I have a four and six-year at home. Working parents are facing a new level of constant distractions. So, if you're feeling like this global pandemic is forcing you to redefine balance and boundaries, I've got you. Now is your chance to make a change in your life. Remember, if it were easy, everyone would do it. So don't let your crisis go to waste.
Instead of getting stuck watching the news non-stop, I've dedicated my Fridays to teach 2,000 high performers how to be productive in uncertain times. If you are struggling with priorities and feeling stuck, try the tips that my clients said were most helpful to them this week.
These 7 Getting Unstuck strategies will enable you to accomplish more of what you want each day:
1. Think like Beyoncé. You have to respect that Beyoncé gets more done in her day then the rest of us will accomplish in our lifetimes. She has a clear vision for her life and, unlike most of us, has the experience as a child superstar to manage her time down to the second because she knows the value of her time.
As a leader, this is your time to channel your inner Beyoncé and be more efficient by tracking how your time is used each day and creating a system to prioritize your most important tasks.
Ask yourself, how you can create systems and habits that will motivate you in today's uncertain environment and shifting priorities.
2. Be better tomorrow. Release the idea of returning to "normal." Instead, accept that you're changing your lifestyle. Have you noticed you need to create clear boundaries for your day, like a set start and an end time when you can reflect on what you've accomplished and look ahead for the next day? Setting a time boundary and creating a habit to reflect on your day helps your mind and space shift from work to home
Plus you'll lower your anxiety levels by thinking about what you need to prepare in advance rather than rushing tomorrow. Leave yourself a fun note with a reminder for the next day on what is left to do.
What deliverables are critical? What do you need to share to get an agreement on priorities from your team?
Do you have video calls and the technology to participate fully?
What are your top three priorities that you must accomplish tomorrow?
3. Create your daily top 3 list.