Written by: Tara Best, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How do you feel as we head into spring? Here in the UK, we’re only just starting to emerge from our third national lockdown, and thanks to the short days and cold weather of winter, it’s been a tough one. The pandemic has affected everyone differently, so I’d say you’re definitely forgiven if you’ve been looking after number 1 instead of making plans to take over the world! I’ve been fortunate that I’ve maintained the positivity and energy needed to keep helping my clients, supporting them as they grow their businesses and smash their goals.
Right now, the sun is shining, the days are noticeably longer, and we’re only days away from the clocks springing forward! The birds are singing, and daffodils are popping up in the hedgerows around the farm. We’re so close to being able to see our friends and loved ones, meeting people for lunch, and get some really rather basic freedoms back. Now that is something to be positive about, isn’t it?
The return of warmer weather, longer, lighter days, and the tantalizing possibility of life becoming more sociable really fills me with joy. It also fires me up and makes me start dreaming of where I can take my business this year. Spring is a time for hope and new life, so it’s the perfect time to harness natural vibes and energy to drive change. Whether you’ve set exciting goals for self-development this summer or you’re aiming to take your business to the next level, you’re feeling revved up and ready to go!
But how can you balance life, work, and hobbies and still stay positive and productive? Do you struggle to fit everything in and worry that your goals, which should make you so happy, are leading to overwhelm? We all get the same 24 hours in a day, but we don’t all use them the same way. If you’ve ever looked at someone else and wondered how they get everything done, this article is for you. If you feel excited about the year ahead, but worry that overwhelm could sabotage your success, this article is for you. Let’s dive in!
1. Plan, plan, and then plan some more.
I love my business and wouldn’t do anything else in the world, but I still have to plan my time carefully. I take some time every Sunday to make a clear plan for the week ahead. I know the weekends are for play, but that 30 minutes is all I need to make the week ahead just flow perfectly. It means that every morning I know exactly what I need to do to move the needle closer to achieving my goals. The same applies to any of your dreams and aims, regardless of whether they are linked to your business, health, home, or relationships. Make a plan for the weeks or even months ahead so that you know what you need to focus on every week.
2. Nail that morning routine.
Develop a morning routine that puts you in a positive frame of mind at the start of every working day. Positive affirmations, meditation, and journaling are all tools I use every single day. Ensure your routine also reminds you of your ‘why,’ perhaps in the form of a vision board. What are you trying to achieve, and why did you start down that path? What will success look and feel like? Make sure you take the time to feel what it will feel like in every way - what can you see, smell, feel and hear? Make your vision vivid and real, and you’ll connect to it far better. Remind yourself of those things, and you’ll set yourself up for a productive day ahead.
3. Take action, however small.
Have you heard the expression “you don't have to be good to start ... you just have to start to be good”!? It’s SO true - amazing ideas are only ever going to be ideas if you never get started. The best way to beat overwhelm and get things done is to, well... start getting things done. Crossing off tasks on your to-do list will feel so good that you’ll want more and more of that buzz, and just like that, you’re productive and moving ever closer to your goals!
4. Remove distractions.
How many hours a day do you spend looking at your phone? Our screen reports can make for some really scary reading, but there are ways you can still enjoy your favorite social media networks and be productive. I love to work in one-hour blocks, putting my mobile out of reach, on silent, and just focusing on the job I’m doing. This will help you be even more productive! I also delete the apps when I want to totally ignore social, for example, at the weekend. So, put your phone away when you’re cracking on with work, fitness, or self-development, and don’t scroll for the sake of it! Enjoy communicating and learning online, but don’t let it rule your life. You will be amazed at how much extra time you have.
5. Don’t try to multitask.
Being present and focusing on one task at a time is so important to boost your productivity. It’s proven then if we try to juggle several tasks at the same time, the net result is that it takes us longer to complete them all than it would if we just did them separately. This rule applies to every aspect of life, not just work - do one job well at a time, not lots of jobs badly.
6. Drop the idea that you have to be busy to be successful.
The phrase 'if you’re not busy, you’re not successful' is so far off the mark it’s unreal! For me, success means I can choose how to spend my time, and you can be sure some of it will be away from my desk! I go out for lunch when I fancy it, book in spa days, and ride my horse. I outsource tasks I don’t enjoy or aren’t in my zone of genius and spend my time on tasks that really move the needle. Success does not have to come at the expense of your health, wellbeing, and sanity. Ensure your vision of success fits in with a fulfilling, sustainable life and is YOUR vision, nobody else's.
7. Don’t keep telling yourself you’re busy
If you keep telling yourself how busy you are and that you never have any spare time, you’ll 100% believe it before long, and it WILL be your reality. I know how powerful the subconscious human brain is and the chances are you’ve taught it that you’re just too busy to manage much more. Instead, why not tell yourself how much you’re achieving and how much more you can get done! Get out of the ‘I’m busy and stressed’ mindset because it won’t be helping your productivity. You’ll be amazed at the difference a little bit of positivity and a calmer focus makes.
I really hope these tips help you make the most of the spring and summer ahead so that you can savor every moment with your friends and family. We’ve been waiting a long time for life to go back to something like normal, so make sure you’re in the right place to enjoy it!
For more mindset and productivity tips and some brilliant marketing inspiration, make sure you listen to my podcast Tara Talks, follow me on Instagram and check out my website.
Tara Best, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Tara Best of Tara Punter Coaching and Tara Punter PR is incredibly passionate about all things mindset and marketing and helping business owners thrive while taking control of those limiting beliefs likely to hold them back in business. As a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Coach, NLP Practitioner, Practitioner of Time Line Therapy and Hypnotherapist, she has the tools required to help clients rewire their subconscious mind, to help them create unlimited success. She combines this with her marketing and public relations expertise to truly help her audience thrive. Best is also the voice behind the popular podcast Tara Talks and soon to be a published author.
