Doing isn't necessarily the best thing

This week is really hectic (thus no post yesterday) for me, and although that's a good thing - business is great! - the constant motion can interfere with productivity. Yes, I said that constantly doing isn't necessarily the best thing.

When you're subject to a wild schedule, and a lot of times your obligations involve commitments to other people, it's easy to slip into reaction mode. The times when you're busiest are the times when you're most likely to fall into autopilot mode. You're more likely to be operating based upon habits of thought and behavior, some of which might not be the best thoughts and actions for this particular time or situation.

Hit the pause button
Stop before you act and hit the pause button. Instead of taking the first action that comes to your mind stop and evaluate the other options and the risks and/or opportunities associated with them. If you can, confer with someone to gain a fresh perspective.

Take a five-minute vacation
No matter how busy you are today take some time (even 5 minutes) to stop and find a quiet space and clear your mind. Focus on your breathing, focus on the sensations of aliveness in your fingers, toes, arms and legs. Let the world melt away and just BE. If you're too tense to just BE, start from the top of your body and work your way down to your feet and tighten your muscles, then release. It'll help you relax.

Change the scenery
Physically change something - your position in your chair, the room you're in, walk outside. Fresh stimulus lends fresh ideas. Or the reverse of that, if you're having a "senior moment" because of all of the mental clutter return to the spot you were in when you had the idea and it will likely return to you.

Make an appointment to recuperate
You can't drive your car endlessly without refueling and changing the oil, so why treat your body any differently? Go home a couple of minutes earlier than you were originally planning. Play relaxing music. Eat a nutritious meal. Go to bed early to build your physical resources for the next challenge.