One of the hardest times I find to be productive is when my mind is buzzing with all the things! I find I have so many ideas and thoughts in my head that it’s tough to focus one task at a time and get through my to-do list.
If you find yourself struggling with the same issue, the good news is that you don’t have to let the mental noise ruin your productivity!
There are 6 simple ways you can quiet your mind, so you’ll be able to return to work with focus and be more productive for the rest of the day.
Sign up for your bonus Be More Productive workbook and write your thoughts as you think through what you are learning about productivity.
Write in a journal.
When your mind is buzzing, try freewriting down your thoughts in a journal.
Freewriting is when you give yourself a set amount of time and simply write everything that comes to mind. Don’t worry about form, grammar, or anything else. Just write. I suggest trying for 1 to 3 minutes.
You may be surprised at what comes out. You may find your next great idea or solutions to some of the problems keeping you stuck.
This exercise will help you empty your mind so that your brain is free to focus again.
Once you’ve finished with your free thoughts, you could also write about the benefits that finishing your tasks for the day will bring you. By writing about your tasks, you’ll be able to refocus on getting back to them.
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Try coloring.
Coloring for adults has taken off in the last few years for a reason. Taking a break and coloring for 10 minutes to half an hour is a great way to let go of mental clutter.
Allow your thoughts to flow as you focus on the design of your coloring sheet.
Besides helping calm your brain, coloring also allows you to get into a creative mindset.
That makes it a great activity if you’re trying to come up with a solution to a problem or seeking inspiration for a project you’re working on or attempting to overcome writer’s block.
If coloring is not your thing, you might try doodling instead. You’ll still get the same benefits as coloring.
There are so many coloring and doodling books to choose from, order one that suits your interests and then allow it to help you as needed, to be productive again.
Practice yoga.
Yoga is another great way to calm your mind. It’s effective because it allows you to get fully in tune with your body, focus on your breath, and relax.
If other thoughts try to interrupt you, push them away and focus on your current pose. You don’t have to buy an expensive program or pay for a class to practice yoga.
There are many yoga videos available for free on YouTube. One instructor I really like is Adrienne. She has videos as short as 10 minutes and some that can be done in a chair during your workday.
Try adding a yoga practice into your day or week to help you be more productive.
Take a walk.
Taking a walk, even a short one, is helpful when your brain is buzzing.
Not only does walking get you away from your desk, it’s also a great way to relieve stress. It can energize you by getting your blood flowing, clear your mind, and get you ready to tackle your tasks with renewed focus.
Be choosy with your location. Busy streets can make it hard for you to focus and relax. Instead, opt for quiet streets, parks or a quiet hall or stairwell if you can’t leave the building.
Meditate.
Meditation is an effective way to calm your mind and body and help you be more productive.
Get into a comfortable position and focus on your breathing. Take slow breaths and feel your body move as you inhale and exhale. Release any conscious thoughts as they come to you.
If you’re new to meditation, it can be helpful to choose an object or word to focus on during your session.
There are many apps and websites that have guided meditations to listen to.
Here are a few to get you started:
Guided meditation for positivity, mindfulness, and productivity.
Meditation for a productive day.
Productive morning guided meditation.
Do a brain dump activity.
This is an activity that helps all that is whirling around inside your brain be calmed by placing it onto another medium, where it stops whirling. You can write on a piece of paper, in a journal, or type it out on your computer.
Some days, I feel overwhelmed and can’t focus. I like to grab a piece of paper and write my thoughts all over the paper, in no order or organization. Other times I brain dump as I am doing something else. I often start thinking of things while I am cleaning the house. I keep a note pad on the counter and as the thoughts, ideas, things I need to do start whirling around in my mind, I immediately go dump them on the paper so they don’t derail my productivity and I can deal with them later.
On Sunday night, my Brain Dump will come out more like a list. I get a paper out and list all the tasks I am overwhelmed with. I take just a few minutes to list them all out. Then I can move on to helping the kids with their bedtime routine, knowing I will revisit the list after they are asleep.
For this activity, you can either give yourself a set amount of time, or just dump till there are no more ideas, thoughts, and tasks to dump.
You can use your brain dump in a number of ways. You can toss it, to relieve yourself of all those thoughts. You can use it to create a To-Do list. You can categorize the necessary helpful thoughts and use them as needed.
Now set that aside and get back to work because you will be ready to focus on your task at hand.
Sign up for your bonus Be More Productive workbook and write your thoughts as you think through what you are learning about productivity.
Read the Entire Be More Productive Series
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3 Simple Ways to Recharge and Be More Productive
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