Guest Post with Kirsten

I found this to be so helpful and hope that others do too! Thanks so much, Kirsten!

5 Effective Ways to Overcome Squirrel Syndrome

You’re in your home office. You sit down, power up your computer and get logged in. You think, man this computer is slow, I should look into getting a new one. It’s time to upgrade anyway. The computer finally boots up and you do your normal routine of checking emails, checking your site stats and then you decide to really hunker down and get some real work done.

You’ve got your list of things that you know you need to do and start working on them. Halfway through that first task, you realize another more urgent task you need to get done. So you switch to that task. 15 minutes later, another task catches your eye and you start working on that.

The more you think about it the more your to-do list piles up. Then you start to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done and worry if you’ll actually be able to get any of it done. As you try to get a grip on all of these things you need to get done you realize that you’re not really handling anything. Somehow, you’ve worked yourself into a mini panic attack without doing anything in particular.

You realize it was like this the last day you worked. In fact, almost every day you’re working you always seem to be chasing squirrels. You work yourself into exhaustion, yet you somehow can’t recall anything specific you did. It’s all kind of a blur.

Life and work don’t have to be this way. If you struggle with anxiety and depression you may realize that this type of thing happens way more often than you’d like.

And odds are you may even have ADD or ADHD mixed in. That’s quite the mental illness cocktail! However, let me tell you there are steps you can to overcome this. Like creating a new habit, mental focus takes practice and lots of it. Get into a routine and follow these 5 effective ways to overcome squirrel syndrome.

Prioritize.
You can’t do everything at once. The old myth of multitasking has trained us to think that by doing several things at once we’re being more productive. However, studies have shown the opposite to be true. By multitasking productivity is reduced, there are more errors, stress is increased, and memory is impaired.

Instead, make a list of all the tasks you need to get done that day. Do spend more than 5 minutes making this list. After you’ve made your list highlight the top 3 things that you MUST get done that day.

Start with the first most pressing task and work on that. Do NOT move on to the next task until that first one is finished. Only when you’ve completed the first task should you allow yourself to move on to the next. You’ll work more efficiently this way because you won’t waste time switching gears and then back again. It will also stop you from getting so overwhelmed you do nothing at all.

Radio Silence.
You’ve decided you’re not checking your messages, yet you are still aware that your phone is buzzing. If even after turning off notifications you find you’re still thinking about your phone, you’re still distracted. Don’t be afraid to put your phone in your desk drawer and close it so you don’t see that flashing light alerting you of another new notification. Truly disconnect here so that you are not distracted. If it’s important enough, they’ll leave a message.

Admit you’re distracted.
Yes, it’s ok to admit this. It happens to the best of us. Just telling yourself “I’m distracted” activates a brain circuit that makes it easier to drop what’s irrelevant and get back to focusing on what’s important. But make sure you do not dwell here. Admit it and immediately take action to remedy it.

Take breaks.
I’ll admit, I’m the worst at this. I tend to forget to take breaks because when I am focused it’s hard to pull away. Luckily what I have found works for me, is to have an accountability partner (“AP”). My AP reminds me when it’s time to take a break. And sometimes just knowing that she is going to remind me, triggers my brain to realize when it’s time to take a break as well.

A study found that workers were most productive when they worked for 52 minutes and then took a 17-minute break. Ideally, that break time should be spent away from your desk.

If you work in an environment where taking breaks every hour isn’t possible, try to at least take mini-breaks, even if it’s just mentally. Most workplaces are pretty good about letting their employees take frequent breaks because they realize the stress that overworking can cause. If you’re an entrepreneur and work from home, you may need to be more mindful of this task.

Set reminders in your calendar to alert you when you should be taking a break.
Instead of eating lunch at your desk, find time to eat lunch away from your workspace. Focus on the food you’re eating. Indulge in the smell and taste of your food. If you can go outside. Either eat outside or go for a walk. Notice the smells. Breathe in the fresh air.

Witness the vibrant colors of the trees, buildings, cars, or sky around you. Be present in the moment and do not think about what’s waiting for you back at your desk.
Once your break is over, return to your desk and attack your tasks with a vengeance. You’ll be surprised how much clearer your mind is and how much faster your work gets done.

Rest.
How do you know you’re not getting enough sleep? You may find yourself nodding off during meetings. Or you feel foggy and slow. Exhaustion effectively lowers your IQ and reduces (if not entirely eliminates) your ability to concentrate.
If you’re feeling fuzzy or especially sleepy, squeeze in a 10-20-minute power nap instead of ignoring your drowsiness.

Resist the urge to power through with caffeine. Of course, it can provide a temporary boost, but studies have shown it stops being effective after multiple days of sleep deprivation. Also, the post-caffeine crash can be devastating.

Instead of trying to band-aid the gaping gash of tiredness with caffeine, fix the issue. Take the necessary steps to get enough sleep at night. If that means you need to adjust your routine, do so. By getting enough sleep, you’ll awaken ready to take on the world with renewed focus.

By following these strategies regularly you’re exercising your brain to have better mental focus. This not only helps in the workplace with tasks you need to get done but also for tasks that need to be tackled throughout your life. Training your brain this way will greatly reduce your anxiety, depression and any attention deficit you may have. Give these a try!

About the Author
Kirsten Weinzierl is the owner of ObtainingBliss.com. She loves and truly believes in the power of personal development, self-care and self-reflection. She writes with humor and discusses topics like relationships, parenthood, body happiness and her love of food. However, she also writes about tough topics like depression, anxiety, suicide, and domestic violence.
You can check out her blog at:
Obtaining Bliss
You can also connect with her on the following Social Media platforms:
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Pics: pinterest and Unsplash