I might be crazy but how does 30 days of blogging tips and mom hacks sound? I have a ton of awesome content about how to become a blogger while also being a stay at home mom or working mother. It’s not easy but it’s totally possible. And it’s time for Day 3, where I talk about how to start being productive and get out of a funk!
Hop over to YouTube to check out my videos in the series and subscribe to keep up with my latest blogging tips and mom hacks while you're there!
You know those times in life where you just get in a funk? You know you have things that need to be done to grow your blogging business but you just aren't motivated. That last thing you "feel" like doing is sitting down to work on your blog. Have you been there before? You're not alone!
There are times when the idea of being productive just doesn't sound very enticing. But since my blogging business depends on productivity, I know it's something that must be dealt with.
I have found a strategy that helps me pull out of this funk every single time. I won't guarantee that it will be the thing that works for you, but there is science to back it up, so it's worth a try. Here's what you need to do.
Step #1 - Completely disconnect
The first step to boost productivity is to completely disconnect. Turn your phone off. Step away from your computer. Put your phone somewhere where you won't see it. Close the door to your office if you have one. Step away from it all, even social media, and completely unplug.
“When I look up something “real quick” it leads me to another thing and another and another. Before I know it, the day is gone, and I haven’t accomplished anything. ”
We have the luxury with our modern technology to get the answer to anything we want as soon as we want. That's great for a lot of reasons. But, if you're like me, giving in to looking up just that "one thing" will lead you down the rabbit hole. When I look up something "real quick" it leads me to another thing and another and another. Before I know it, the day is gone, and I haven't accomplished anything.
Disconnecting helps me to completely clear my mind. When I do this, it helps me remove the distractions keeping me from being productive.
Step #2 - Think about nothing
Ok, let me explain. You might not be able to think about "nothing", but don't allow yourself to think about anything related to your blogging business. Don't think about all those things that constantly overwhelm you. Don't try to figure out the solution to that issue you've been dealing with.
When I do this, I clear my head from my business world and I focus on what's going on with myself and my family. I use this time to relax, have fun, and recharge. Doing this helps give my body and mind that time and space to just completely relax. I've been doing this for years.
I recently went on vacation to the Bahamas. While I was gone I didn't work on my blog at all. I didn't record videos and only took a few pictures the whole time I was gone. Is this something I regret? Not even slightly!
I needed that time to not be distracted and to get away from my phone. While on vacation I did "nothing". I got up, ate, relaxed, and did some really fun things. I allowed myself to step away and, in the end, that's what gave me the mental clarity to zone in on what was important to accomplish once I got back to real life and out of vacation mode.
The science behind it…
I read an incredible book by Josh Davis, Ph.D. called Two Awesome Hours: Science-Based Strategies to Harness Your Best Time and Get Your Most Important Work Done.
My favorite part of the book talked about how important it is to let your mind wander. When we start going to school we're taught to sit and focus. We learn that this is what we need to do to be a "good student". However, neuroscience shows that people who take the time to let their minds wander and give themselves a reset time are more productive than people that don't.
“When we start going to school we’re taught to sit and focus. We learn that this is what we need to do to be a “good student”. However, neuroscience shows that people who take the time to let their minds wander and give themselves a reset time are more productive than people that don’t. ”
In the book, Davis writes, "When your mind wanders it's like PT Barnum putting on a sideshow while the stage is being rebuilt. Enjoy the show and when you turn back to the main stage the next act will be ready to delight you."
This really helped me visualize how important it is to let yourself have some time spent thinking about the small, seemingly "insignificant" stuff. It's actually really important to provide yourself this time.
Put your phone down, walk away from your computer, and let your mind wander. Let it focus on the things that don't seem important. Give yourself the permission and space to step away from your blogging business and whatever ails you.
What if you have something you need to get done?
Are you thinking, "That sounds great, but I have XYZ that I have to accomplish." I get it. Sometimes I'm so focused on something that I can't just let my mind wander. Or, sometimes it's just not the right time, like when I should be making dinner for my family.
If you feel like this then go ahead and knock out the thing that you are focused on first. During times like this, you will struggle to relax anyway, so don't fight it.
But once you are done, put down your phone, step away from technology, and disconnect for a bit. You need that creative space to hang out and focus on nothing so when you're done, you can harness that energy and focus to really be productive.