What to Do When You Feel Scattered & Unproductive
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Ever have a morning when you just can’t get going? You know you have plenty to do, but you feel too scattered to know where to start.
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I totally get that. I often, OFTEN, feel scattered and unproductive. And I don’t have a newborn anymore!
Last week I was feeling this way and decided to take the bull by the horns and change gears. Upon reflection, I realized that this has become my M.O. for dealing with this feeling, one that I probably experience a little too often!
5 Things to Do When You Feel Scattered and Unproductive
1. Pray.
God has allotted us enough hours in the day to do the things that He thinks we should do. We just need to figure out what those things are. Some days are easier to determine than others. Pray for wisdom and discernment.
2. Dump your brain.
Grab a sheet of paper and throw down all the things swirling in your brain. It’s kind of like dumping out the junk drawer before you sort the stuff. Empty all your thoughts into an area where you can see them objectively and move them around. It’s like a pensieve, only not as cool.
3. Organize a plan of attack.
By looking objectively at your tasks for the day and the thoughts fighting for preeminence in your head, you can better decide what to do and where to spend your time.
4. Get moving.
Don’t worry about having the perfect plan. You’ll be paralyzed if you overthink how to spend your day. Get moving on something. There are always dishes to wash. And if not, there is always, ALWAYS laundry to fold.
5. Do the next thing.
Once you’ve accomplished one thing on your agenda, you’ll feel a sense of purpose and confidence. Move to the next thing. Even if it’s not the perfect next thing, at least it’s something.
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Great helpful post!!! Much needed and gave me boost… Number 1 pray… Good reminder!
thank you, it’s helpful to know others feel this way
Everywhere I look there’s a project needing completion. I tend to spend too much time online (hmmm). I get overwhelmed by the magnitude and feel like I’m not doing the things I WANT to do. Add to this that I’m recovering from adrenal fatigue AND detoxing from a lead and mercury overload (and a few other metals that are high but not in danger zone) and it quickly becomes obvious I’m trying to do too much, just like you said under the prayer point. There IS enough time for me to do what HE wants done.
So, in addition to praying for refocus, I like to go outside. It changes my perspective and enlivens me!
I pick a couple of things that are an ideal must do, and then anything else is bonus! It’s usually the kids on Monday that’s the worst. Dad had a talk with them last night to inform him that he is not going to get a typical Monday report when he gets home (Monday out of the swing of things behavior and attitude, especially for the one who functions best on a strict routine).
I felt like this just today. Likely because there has just been too much going on and I needed a reminder to stop and smell the roses. So while the ba.by slept…I played Super Mario Brothers on the Wii. Oh yes I did! And it was fun 🙂 It helped me smile and then move on with my day.
I ask my husband or call my sister for help when I feel scattered and unproductive. I do the things you mentioned, then I sometimes desperately need their help to prioritize my to do list. Especially when I’m in a fog due to a pregnancy or newborn baby. Or if I’m in a fog for no apparent reason.