Small, Achievable, Lovable Goals
It’s easy to fall into this spiral but much harder to break free. What I do is simply block everything out—I don’t overthink the order or which task to tackle first. I just grab the first thing on my list and start. If that feels too big, I break it down into smaller steps and begin with the tiniest one.
While working, I try not to think about the rest of the workload—right now, it’s just this small, clear, doable task I set for myself. It’s manageable and even enjoyable because finishing it gives me a little endorphin boost.
These little wins help break the paralysis and bring me back into the flow.
I Set Deadlines
Deadlines don’t just motivate me—they help keep my day from slipping away. If I plan my tasks in smaller chunks but run late—say finishing at 11:23 instead of 11:00—I can see the delay early and adjust. It’s way easier to catch up on 23 minutes than to panic at 4 p.m. realizing I’m still three hours from finishing.
Changing My Environment
Luckily, as a freelancer doing creative work with just a laptop, it’s easy for me to move to a café.
Of course, some jobs don’t allow this, but even in an office, it’s worth trying a meeting room or a lounge area for a short project.
There’s definitely a science to this—I don’t know exactly why it works, but it does: when I sit somewhere new with the clear goal of finishing a specific task, my brain focuses much easier.
...And When All Else Fails, I Admit It’s Not Working
In my career, I’ve faced moments when I felt completely drained. I always communicated this with my collaborators, and together we found solutions—taking a few days off or temporarily reducing my workload.
I’m grateful for this understanding from my employers, and I truly believe it’s in every company owner’s best interest to let employees recharge. In the long run, everyone wins.
Photos: istockphoto.com
