Have you ever found yourself running up against a mental block that simply will not move, no matter what you try? Have you felt weighed down by the heaviness of that dreaded “slump”? Has your mind tried to tell you that you’re incapable of overcoming your lethargy to accomplish the task at hand? We’ve all been there more often than we like to admit.
Unfortunately, blasting through procrastination or a perceived lack of motivation requires more than just forcing yourself to power through. While that may work for a short period to complete a task, it doesn’t set you up for genuine, sustainable momentum and defeating burnout. What is the secret to igniting your sense of drive and productivity? Adrenalizing your experience of creation.
Adrenalize Your Ability To Be Productive
Adrenalizing the way you move through your day, the way you think about the challenges obstructing your path, or how you tackle things on your to-do list is the missing ingredient in your ability to consistently get sh*t done.
It’s essential to develop habits that support your productivity and to focus on the necessary fuel of excitement and passion for your work. With these ingredients put together, you’ll turn into an unstoppable force.
10 Things to Help You Get Sh*t Done
There are 10 things you need to know in order to nurture a determined mindset, defeat burnout, and build a fortified structure in your routines and habits that will support your success.
1. Stop seeking perfection, fall in love with making progress.
We spend way too much time trying to make things perfect when they truly are good enough. Perfection is the enemy of progress, and you’ll find that striving for perfection as a young professional will only lead to burnout.
2. Procrastinate on things that are of little to no consequence.
If you are going to procrastinate on something, choose something that has very little importance in your ability to be productive. These things include watching TV or scrolling through social media.
3. Set boundaries and expectations.
If we don’t solidify our boundaries, others will claim that space. They won’t hesitate to take away our time and focus. We will consume energy that was meant for other things. When trying to get stuff done, set firm expectations with others so that you are free to focus.
4. Remove distractions.
When working on a task, only have one window open on your computer screen, and focus on the task at hand. Put your cell phone in a different room. Close the door and even put on some noise canceling headphones. These small tweaks make a world of difference.
5. Set specific, manageable goals.
When our goals are too vague or too lofty, we procrastinate. The more specific and manageable the goal, then the better our chances of achieving them. By breaking your big goals down into smaller tasks, it becomes a less heavy idea for your mind to approach the finish line. And it will ultimately reduce your burnout as you achieve goals more frequently..
6. Create a plan with small action steps for those goals.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. What are the individual action steps needed to achieve your specific goal? These steps should be very specific and help you to feel supported in knowing how you’ll get where you want to be, what your priorities are in those steps, and what specifically needs to happen in order to cross the finish line.
7. Do one thing at a time. Multitasking does not exist.
The more things we have open at one time, the more likely they all remain open and incomplete. As difficult as it might be, focus on one thing at a time. Try to alternate on tasks you’re excited for and tasks you dread, this helps to keep the momentum building so you’re always looking forward to something, but also getting the hard bits done consistently. Saving the hard parts for last only makes procrastination worse.
8. Get out of your own way!
It’s not always about you. We are our own limitations, more often than not. When we put our emotions aside and stop taking things personally, we can get more done. Don’t let what your colleagues are doing or saying interfere with your work. It’s not personal – keep your head down and stay focused on the big picture. This is where your passion keeps you fueled!
9. Make time to exercise, rest, and have fun.
Things don’t get done unless you have time to relax and attack things with a clear, rested mind. When you take care of yourself, it will help you to get more done and avoid burnout. If you want to give your best to your work, clients, colleagues, friends or family members, you need to prioritize taking care of yourself amidst all of the big deadlines, dreams, and goals.
10. Stop overthinking and just do it!
We overthink and our mind slams to a screeching halt. This overworking of our mind spins us straight into procrastination and stops us from getting stuff done. As Jon Acuff wrote in his book Soundtracks, “Overthinking is when what you think gets in the way of what you want.” So stop overthinking and channel that energy instead into getting that sh*t done!
Takeaway: Are you ready to defeat burnout and get sh*t done?
Life will inevitably hit you with curveballs and rough times where more rest, family time, or inner reflection is needed to avoid burnout. It’s important to acknowledge when you’ve hit one of those periods. However, during the other 85% of our lives, when what’s blocking us is simply our own mind, habits, and lack of enthusiasm or purpose, I hope this list reminds you there are many ways to recharge your focus.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by burnout, but desire to rebalance your goals and channel your ambition into productive action, my success strategy sessions are just the thing you need. I help high-achievers recognize the power of their choices, overcome burnout, and live adrenalized so they can thrive in work and in life. You can book a complimentary one-on-one session to learn more about my success strategy sessions and kickstart lasting transformation.