Two simple techniques for focusing on what matters most to you
Since we are well into the spring season (and it’s finally starting to feel like spring) this is a perfect time to revisit the Life Balance Tool, also known as the Wheel of Life. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s simple yet very useful when you know that you're wanting to make some positive changes in your life but you’re not sure exactly where to start. This allows you to look at each area individually instead of lumping everything together. Of course, you can still choose to work on the area that feels most right to you, but sometimes just being able to see things in black and white can make the decision easier. You can get your copy of the tool at www.jennylytle.com/balance
Once you use the tool and decide which area you want to focus on first, it can still feel overwhelming if you try to make massive changes all at once, although if I’m honest, that is my natural inclination. Life circumstances allow me to get away with that sometimes, but not very often. I can make a lot of changes for a few days if the timing is just right, but then when life gets back to normal it’s tough to keep all of the changes going.
I have been taking a neuroscience certificate program and it’s very encouraging to see some of the things that I practice, believe, and teach backed up by science. Of course, there are also some things that I didn't want to be true, like the inefficiency of multitasking - this is definitely something that I still struggle with! But research shows that we aren’t really multitasking, we’re just switching tasks very quickly. And while most of us do it for the sake of saving time, it’s estimated that about 40% of the time is wasted when we multitask.
So one simple way to get more done is to focus on one thing at a time.
I know, it’s a tough one for me too!
When it feels like there is too much to do, or there isn’t enough time, stop thinking of only the big picture. Instead, choose one thing - just one thing - that you can implement. It may seem like it's not enough but setting yourself up for an easy win makes it more likely that you are going to want to do other steps. Small successes increase our motivation by increasing dopamine.
When we do a series of small tasks successfully we keep our motivation, and in turn our dopamine levels, high all day. Success breeds success.
You can then move on to other areas of your life that could use a little improvement. Just getting started on any positive change can increase your level of life satisfaction and serves as a great reminder that you have the power to change things that you don’t like, even if it isn’t easy or comfortable.
One of the things that I'm going to share with you in the upcoming weeks is another tool that you can incorporate into your day that will quickly and efficiently let you see the impact of the choices you're making on how you feel.
The best way to stay up to date on new tips, tools, and programs is to make sure that you are part of Becoming YOUR Best tribe. You will receive my Monday motivation newsletter each week that lets you know a bit more about what I'm up to personally, as well as new and exciting things coming up within the Becoming YOUR Best with Jenny Lytle RN company. I also share books that I am enjoying and a quote and verse for the week as well as including the links for the weekly blog and podcast of the week with a short overview of the content. When you go to download the Life Balance tool at www.jennylytle.com/balance you’ll become a BYOB tribe member and stay in the know.
Until next time, take a deep breath or two and never stop becoming the best version of YOU.