Compassionate Productivity
How often have you looked at your to-do list and wanted to throw in the towel? Or maybe have a great idea for a project, until you look at all the steps required to implement it and then decide not to pursue it.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you are growing your business, but it doesn’t have to stop you. You can be productive and honor yourself. I call it compassionate productivity.
Here are a few steps to bring compassion to your ‘doing’
1. Be at choice
We often look at a project and see ALL of the things we have to do and start to think we have to do them all at once. This is when we choke, sputter and stall out. You don’t have to do it all at once. Choose one step – one that feels good and start. When you notice it is no longer feeling good – stop. Keep noticing when you lose energy around a task and shift to something with more energy.
2. Be in charge of the timing
Sometimes there are real deadlines, but often deadlines are self-imposed and can be changed. When we cling to an impossible deadline, time gets constricted and it feels hard. Take a look at your timeline. How set in stone is it really? If it’s a deadline that’s imposed, ask for more time. If it’s a deadline you created, what is your attachment to that deadline? What can you shift to create more spaciousness.
3. Ask for help
Sometimes we are grinding away on something that we aren’t really sure how to do. All that second guessing and worrying if you are doing it right, can drain energy. Notice when you are in ‘figuring it out’ mode and if it isn’t fun for you, get help. Ask a mentor, ask a VA, ask a colleague if they know someone who knows how to do the thing you are working on. It will feel SO GOOD to delegate it.
4. Your guiding purpose
We choose to do what we do out of love. When you are creating a product or program, building a website, developing a lead magnet etc., take breaks to remember your why. Who is this for and how it will change their life. Sit with that for a bit when you get stalled. Being of service is a powerful motivator. Let your love pull you forward.
5. Take time off
I find things get harder when I’m not giving myself time off. Time off to play and feed your soul is good for business. Make sure you have pleasure and rest built into your life. It will infuse the work you do.
Be gentle with yourself, reward yourself often and be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you are being compassionate in the process.
