So…. I’ve been taking 20 minute naps most days
…and I love it
Noooo, THAT’s not the weird thing…
I am a school-based SLP. SHOUT OUT to those on the frontlines in healthcare, deep bow. You have a whole other set of stressors but still, this might help you too.
In my district we are doing tele-practice. I have a 5 year old and almost 2 year old and my hubs works full time, and honestly you guys, after a bumpy first 4 weeks…
Mostly, we’re having a great time- making the most of a weird, stressful situation. We played pie face just now as a family right before I came down to my office to, write to you and do some coaching.
People are struggling and I’ve been coaching my clients through all of this change…
I realized one weird thing my brain does that shuts down a shit ton of stress before it even starts
Don’t get me wrong- I stress – I’m human
So given that the world just got a whole new set of things to be done…
Here’s the weird thing my brain does… that saves me
I DON’T think in “to do” lists.
Most people show up to work, they hear a thing that needs to be done and they start listing all the steps and tasks.
Logically, they add that to the to do list. Except to do lists are long. Our brains can’t handle that much information at one time.
What do most people do?
Spin in overwhelm, stress, give up, try again, see it as impossible,- because it is.
It’s impossible (and exhausting) for your brain to hold that much information and all the details and caveats- and when you physically list it out on your to do list, it’s even more overwhelming because there is just. so. much. UGH!!
So naturally, the brain’s response to that is…
- Attack (blame, complain, criticize, be mean to yourself…)
- Escape (zone out, eat, drink, netflix, social media, porn…) or
- Hide (more eating, more drinking, more netflix, more social media, more porn…). or whatever your escaping and hiding thing is…
It’s usually a combination of all three.
…It’s problematic when it gets in the way of you doing what you want to do.
I realize over the years- I have literally trained my brain to stop thinking in “to do” lists.
Instead, my brain thinks in “schedules.”
(not detailed and specific, but generally)
So when things come up- my brain sees it more on a schedule… NOT added to a monotonous, never-ending to do list.
A subtle but important distinction.
It’s not something that came naturally to me- I’ve trialed (and error-ed) and trained myself to do that.
First, I ask myself, how can I make this as simple as possible?
Next, I break down the task and put each task on my schedule within a certain segment of time.
I have segments for –Me time, family time, goof off time, SLP work, coach work, house work… Anything that doesn’t fit, either goes on to the next day or time allotted for that or …
I DON’T DO IT. No drama. (Well, mostly no drama)
I only do (and think about) the things I have created time for- Period
I don’t have to stress, I bypass it completely.
I used to say- I don’t have time for this. It’s too much. There aren’t enough hours in the day.
There are 24 hours in the day- Everyone gets the same.
Now you’re brain might be saying… Yeah, but I have_______ (your unending to do list)
We get to choose how we want to use time.
The research says that those with “an internal locus of control” are much less susceptible to burnout.
This is one way of shifting that locus of control,
becoming a badass, and living your best life
Put your shit on a schedule and own. it.
I wasn’t born this way- I learned
I teach people how to “own it.”
Love
Angie
P.S. Having trouble with follow through? Schedule a 60 minute consultation to see if my 1:1 SLP life coaching program is a good fit for you. It’s only April, we still have 8 months left in 2020. What if you get to make this year better? It’s Possible.
