You might be pondering how to keep your focus while going back to “normal”. After a year and a half of facing challenges and changes, many of us are crazy about having a normal life again, get back to our habits, social spaces, meet our families, cry the ones who have left us. I bet everyone is dying to go to their summer spots, let the sun touch them and breathe something different to their own breath and their masks peculiar smell! It seems that finally we will go back to our jobs and workplaces, if we have one; or we’ll go back do whatever we used to do before all this situation came in.
Some of us will return as I said to jobs and routine, but… how can you focus on your job after so long out of routine and while everybody else is meeting, hugging, and drinking coffee at some terrace… well, to support you on this, I’m sharing here some tips I read few days ago in an article by Marina Khidekel, included in the THRIVE GLOBAL newsletter that I’m sure will help you to maintain the focus on what you need to.
1. Set some limits
Learn to say NO. Do always what you need to do first. Most of the time, we set our day and there comes someone asking for information or for a favour. Say NO, offer a day and time that’s convenient for you to attend their request or derive them to the source of information. Your time and your priorities are your most important business! Keep your limits and you will be happier and more focused.
2. Disconnect during the weekends
You are to enjoy your weekend as you decide. You don´t have to answer company emails or clients calls. You need to UNPLUG because if not, you will be tired the following week, you’ll be less productive and you’ll feel uncomfortable and grumpy. It is proven that detaching from work improves your concentration levels and help you stay happy and satisfied with yourself.
Make a weekly plan or schedule with all your activities. Don´t seek perfection because, while looking for it you miss wonderful moments and opportunities. Try to adapt to the new normal by understanding what you have just gone thru and are still facing, what the new normal is and how you can continue living your best life and being the best version of yourself.
3. Every day write down your priorities
Take your planner or a notebook and write down the activities that you’ll like to complete that day, including specific time blocks for them and at the end of the day go over your list and mark those that you have finished. For those you didn’t finish check if it was that you overbooked yourself or you allowed for distractions to come your way.
4. Don’t stay lonely, but neither overcommit yourself
Going back to normal is just another transition period and you still must adjust to a new reality and new routines. Socializing is wonderful but also you need to take time for self-care and to stay with yourself.
Would you like support for setting your limits, priorities and goals? Let’s have a virtual coffee and chat.
