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“Got clear goals?”
“Check.”
“Top Three priorities for this week?”
“Check.”
“Time blocked to focus?”
“Check.”
“Okay, begin.”
“Will do, after I respond to Ellen on Slack.”
“You can start anytime now.”
“Did anyone see my Insta post?”
“Seriously, get going!”
“I wonder what the markets are doing.”
Feel familiar? We are distractable beings in a distracting world. There is always something stimulating we could do to avoid the tasks we need to do most.
It helps to start the day in a calm and steady manner. This is more about being than doing. Don’t just do work; instead be relaxed, intentional, and committed to your priorities. In this state of mind-body, we create the possibility of experiencing “flow” in our work.
Take a few minutes to outline a start-of-work routine that would help you set aside distractions, calmly complete the first tasks of the day, and be mentally prepared for focus time and/or important interactions. Here is mine:
· Begin at least 30 minutes before my first meeting
· Refresh my memory of today’s calendar appointments (for which I prepared yesterday)
· Sequence the first 3-5 tasks/events of the day (#1, #2, etc.), in writing
· Close my eyes and meditate (12-14 minutes)
· Begin item #1
Put your routine into practice and build it into a habit. Experiment and adapt as you go; perhaps it could include making a pot of tea or doing chair stretches—whatever helps you get centered. The more frequently you practice this habit, the more you will accomplish—and the less stressed you will feel.
"Flow is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz." ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi