This week we have a wonderful guest post by Gloria Martinez of Womenled.org – Enjoy!
Sometimes at work there are so many distractions that deter you from actually… working. You may be pulled in so many directions that it seems impossible for you to have a clear mind. By midday you may begin to feel like your creativity is completely zapped and you have nothing left to give.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can eliminate distractions and keep your mind focused and on task. Mental exercises free your mind of clutter, which will allow you to think freely and creatively all the time! In order to excel at work, having a sharp mind is a necessity.
Below are a few mental exercises and tips you can start implementing right away!
Guided Meditation
A guided meditation is a process where you meditate in response to the guidance provided by a skilled teacher through a sound recording or video. Guided meditations utilize the power of your imagination and visualization to effect positive personal changes such as improved clarity and personal empowerment. Listening to a guided meditation is an excellent way to reset your mind while at work while giving your creativity a boost.
Another reason guided meditation is so amazing is that it requires little effort on your end because you can do it right at your desk! A quick online search will lead you to a sea of options. Meditations can range from as little as 5 minutes, to a full hour. Choose whichever fits into your schedule, and the voice of a mind-body expert that gives you the mental break you need.
Read
When you are at work, you are pounded by the pressures to perform and give your attention to every little detail. Reading through reports and emails does not help with decreasing your stress levels nor do they spark your creativity. However, getting lost in a book does just that! As you read through a novel or a short-story, your focus drifts into the psyche of a character, which opens your mind and helps you think less rigidly.
Looking at life through the lens of someone else allows you the freedom of thinking of solutions you otherwise may have been oblivious to. As you unlock your imagination, you will create a breeding ground for creativity! Keep a paper book handy in your desk drawer and read a chapter or two when you have breaks to give your mind a boost.
Address your sleep
A lack of sleep can be a major hindrance to creativity. If you’re spending too much time scrolling on your phone, dealing with an abundance of noise or staying up too late, it’s wise to change up your bedtime routine. For starters, give yourself a screen curfew that applies to all devices. The blue light from your phone or TV negatively affects your melatonin production, making it difficult for your body to recognize it’s time for sleep.
If noise is keeping you awake, find ways to drown it out with a white noise app or ear plugs. If it’s external noise you can’t control due to your neighborhood or apartment building, it may be time to move to a house in a quieter part of town. You may even be able to find a place with more amenities or cheaper rent. Check out local listings in areas that aren’t busy. And give yourself room to consider extra square footage. A new place could be the perfect antidote to those noisy nights.
Consider your work methods
If you tend to take on more responsibility than you should, and if you avoid delegating, you’re setting yourself up for copious amounts of unnecessary stress. Managers indeed have larger burdens, but your staff is hired to do a job, and as such, they need to be given more responsibility so they can contribute and grow with your company.
Gauge your methods as a boss, and determine if you could use a bit of a makeover. You may be easy to work with, but a good boss goes beyond that. A boss who cultivates leadership and who inspires and empowers their staff creates a win-win situation. You can delegate work to others, and they have a feeling of ownership and confidence in the work they’re doing. Plus, you’ll have more time to be creative and less stress, while ensuring you have a happier team.
Honor your needs
It’s no secret that what you put into your body has a direct effect on your ability to smoothly perform your daily tasks. Stresses at work can lead to harmful binge eating, chain smoking, and more than a few drinks off the clock. While you are indulging in these activities you may feel a sense of relief, however, in the long run, you are damaging your mind and body. It is nearly impossible to think clearly and creatively at work after a night of drinking. The guilt you feel after eating an unhealthy meal or taking a smoke break can cloud your mind and distract you from working efficiently. Outlets such as reading and meditating are great ways to eliminate stress without harming your body.
When you implement positive behaviors, you are expressing self love, which is beneficial in all aspects of your life –not just work. Practice self love daily by ditching harmful behaviors and adding new, positive actions such as striking up a conversation with your coworker or packing a healthy lunch.
In order for your creativity to thrive at work, you must be mentally fit. Exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body. While you cannot physically see your mind, you need to work it as if it is a muscle for it to stay strong and sharp.
Start using these tips today to keep your creativity flowing with ease!
