3 STRESS MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR PRODUCTIVITY-ADDICTED GIRLBOSSES

So, this post is actually the product of this list I’m sharing today. Late Thursday night, I had a bit of a panic attack looking at my to-do list for the next five days. I had a ton of reading to do, but was so stressed that I just couldn’t focus. Today’s post was on that list, too, but I wasn’t sure what I was going to write about. But editing pictures is one of my productive non-productive tasks (see below), so when I started to work on that, I was able to trigger my productivity to write this post, ease my workload, and alleviate my stress. I’m asked all the time how I manage to do all the things I do, so if you want to know the secret, then keep on reading!

ONE. Make a list. Like, a big list.

Making a list is pretty standard, but if you’re like me, it just doesn’t feel like enough. When I’m on the verge of having or in the midst of an anxiety attack, I make a list of every big thing I need to do. Then I go back through that list and make a list of all the things I need to do to accomplish one item on that list, and so on.

For example, say one thing on the list is making dinner. The second run-through, I will add shop for ingredients, prepare ingredients, cook the food, wash dishes. Then I’ll go through it again, this time I’ll: 1) list out all ingredients, 2) write down how each ingredient should be chopped up or prepared and where I will put it until I need it, 3) list the order in which it should be cooked and how it should be cooked.

You can break down just about anything from writing a paper (research, write section by section, edit, etc.) to painting your nails (pick color, trim, file, top coat, etc.) this way. Then, when I’m done, I take everything and list the major headings with the smaller tasks indented underneath on a clean sheet of binder paper. You can totally type this if it’s your style, but writing relaxes me! I end up with a massive list, but I’m constantly crossing things off so it helps me feel more productive and I never feel clueless about what to do next.

TWO. Come up with a list of productive non-productive tasks.

Alright, this one takes a little of explaining, but it goes with the list above. When you’re breaking down the things you need to do, think about the things that you should do but seem tedious and maybe not as productive.

For me, I’m driven crazy by the amount of screenshots and repetitive pictures in my phone’s photos and my dropbox. So, I make cleaning those out a part of my to-do list. When I’m really struggling to focus on a attention-intensive task like writing, I tackle my productive non-productive tasks. By making it a part of your list, you justify this use of your time psychologically, and by working at it you trigger that productive feeling that leads to more productivity.

THREE. Take some me time. 

This one is the hardest for me. I feel like I need to work, work, work. Work. And work some more. The weekend we shot these photos, though, was so productive precisely because we made sure to implement this step.

Chris and I shot this look, and also two other posts before it, then we put our phones away and called it date night. I changed into flats so I wouldn’t feel like I needed to be extra aware while walking down State Street, then we went to dinner. We had a glass of champagne, walked around, got an amazing cannoli, and finally went home and crashed. The next day we woke up super early feeling energized and ready to tackle our to-do list, and we totally crushed it!

The moral of the story? Not every second of every day needs to be “productive,” me time truly is a productive thing. Just like your phone battery needs to charge after a three-hour Instagram session, your body and your mind need a little recharge juice, too. So grab your clutch that’s too small to carry any work along (except a baby notebook and pen!), and hit the town. Go to a coffee shop, take a walk, visit a museum or art gallery. Just go someplace!

If your mind drifts to work, let it; but let it drift away from it, too. What you see will inspire your work, so you don’t want to block those connections from being made and ideas from happening. Just keep a notebook or use your notes on your phone to quickly write your thought down, then put it away. Your mind, body, friends and family, workmates, and the work you produce will thank you because you won’t be constantly throwing up “Low Battery” alerts in the middle of conversation and work.

What do you think? How are you going to put these tips to use? Do you have any others you love and want to share with your fellow girl bosses?