Focus Through Chaos
Dear Subscriber,
Conference season is in full swing, holidays are approaching, flu season is upon us. How do you cope when extra time- and resource-consuming challenges fill your life? How do you keep healthy and sane, and moving forward on the things you care about?
This issue, we offer a light through the chaos.
Joy and Success,
The Coaches of Artist’s EDGE – Debra Russell and Wendy Keilin
Please note that Wendy is no longer with Artist’s EDGE
Challenge of the Month
Maintaining Focus Through Chaos
We’ve all had ‘em – those Unusually Busy Periods (UBP’s), when an extra wedge (travel, health challenges, holidays, a big project, etc.) squeezes its way into your life … when what’s urgent overrules what’s important and and seems to squeeze out everything else that matters to you – exercise, sleep, creativity, relaxation, fun.
Read on for some helpful strategies to keep your life working smoothly through chaotic times.
Wendy’s Solutions
Planning Turns Chaos to Fuel
Short-term predictable UBP’s, like holidays, travel, or events, divide your time into three distinct periods: Preparation, During, and Re-Entry. It’s critical to schedule extra time for all three.
Plan ahead for each period:
- Set an inspiring context – e.g., “Sailing with Serenity”, “Having fun with it”, “Love and Celebration”. This will give you an entirely different experience of your busy time.
- Set intentions (outcomes) – “Have a blast”, “Stay healthy and well”, “Book 3 gigs”, “Connect with family”. Knowing what you want helps ensure you get it. Be specific, and cover all bases.
- Plan your actions – “Exercise 5 minutes every morning”, “Talk to ten industry people”, “Smile”. Plan actions to fulfill your stated intentions.
Unpredictable UBP’s, like a computer crash or health challenge, don’t have a predictable start, but taking a moment to plan for During and Re-Entry will still make a big difference. (And you can plan ahead for them – stuff happens. Have reliable computer backups, automate your bill-paying, keep a travel bag packed, etc.)
Long-term UBP’s, like caretaking an elderly parent, don’t have a predictable end, so you must make self-care a priority. Identify your non-negotiable needs to stay sane and healthy, and find simplified ways to make sure you get them. “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting other passengers” – you’re no use to anyone if you burn out.
Please note that Wendy is no longer with Artist’s EDGE
Debra’s Solutions
Strategies to Maintain Focus in the Face of Chaos
Here are a few simple strategies for maintaining your focus (and sanity) during times of upheaval and stress.
Manage Your To Do List
Thinking that you can still get everything done sets you up for failure. So use Julie Morgenstern’s method of the 4 D’s to sort your To Do list:
- Delete – take anything off the plate that you can
- Diminish – lessen your requirement for perfection
- Delegate – ask for help and accept all offers of support to lighten the load
- Delay – put off what doesn’t absolutely have to get done
Remember to schedule time for exercise, eating right and sleep. That’s non-negotiable!
Manage Expectations
We chronically underestimate the time and energy drained by chaos. So be realistic. There is no way you will accomplish everything. Nobody could. So, be proud of what you do accomplish during this time. And stop feeling guilty for what you don’t. It’s a waste of energy.
Prioritize Self-Care
In the face of time challenges, our self-care is often the first thing to go. But you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. As much as possible, maintain your good habits and healthy routines. Take time for yourself and if you feel guilty, remind yourself it’s in everyone’s best interest for you to stay healthy!
Check out the Artist’s EDGE blog for a quick and easy practice I use to stay focused.
Contact Debra for a Complimentary Coaching Session
Participate Live!
Coming up in the Artist’s EDGE Membership
If you want more direct support on your path to artistic success, come play with us this month in the Artist’s EDGE Membership.
- Wednesday, Nov 15 – 8pm EDT / 5pm PDT
Monthly Q&A Call - Thursday, Nov 30 – 8pm EDT / 5pm PDT
Overcoming Fear
FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
Simple, right? Yet, when we’re in the grip of fear, the logic (or illogic) of it is completely beside the point. It cripples us. It fills us with the quaking, heart-pounding, hands and voice shaking, inability to move. And sometimes it undermines us in very subtle ways.
Courage (according to Encarta) = “quality of being brave: the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action.”
Fear is an emotion. Courage is a skill. In our 11/30 Toolbox Teleclass on Overcoming Fear, we’ll show you ways to wwwelop the skill of courage in response to the emotion of fear… so you can move forward and achieve your desired level of success.
Our monthly Q&A call on 11/15 is the place to get all your questions answered on any aspect of what it takes to make a prosperous living doing what you love.
You can attend both calls (and listen to over 20 past calls) for only $1 by becoming an Artist’s EDGE Member today.
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