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.
