One of Those Days
Posted On: 2012-01-06
I don't know about you but I'm having one of 'those' days today. You know what 'those' days are like don't you?
'Those' days are the days when you just can't get settled into the rhythm of work and that's definitely me today. I've sat down at my desk five times and got up almost immediately to go and do something important ... like wander around the office and poke at things.
I've been over to Facebook three times and fiddled around there too. I know that I've got some work to do over there on a couple of our business pages but I can't get into anything that vaguely resembles work there.
When I have been sitting at my desk I've picked up a couple of things and then put them down again ... I've shifted things around ... I've looked at the ceiling ... I've looked at the ground ... I've skipped through a dozen websites and not stayed on any for more than a few seconds.
I'm really just not in the mood for work today ... even my never-fail method of getting into the work groove isn't working today. I've made a list of all the things I need to get done today ... I've even completed a couple of small jobs that were on the list ... but I still can't get focused and get on with the other items on that list.
So if you're having a day like I am ... a day where nothing seems to work and you really can't get focused what should you do?
Maybe your mind and your body is telling you that it really is time just to take a day ... or even two ... off. Maybe you just need some time away from the computer and away from work to let your brain relax. So go and do it ... shut down your computer ... close the door on your office ... and go and do the things that normal human beings do when they want time off.
Go to the beach ... go to the park ... go down to the local tourist strip and watch sexy girls walk by ... even head down to the mall for some retail therapy if that's what you feel like doing. Just get out and do something that is as far away from work as you can get.
If you don't take the hint your brain is giving you and get away from work for even just a few hours at the very least you're just going to be wasting your time. At the worst you're going to make some dumb mistakes that are going to cost you money so why fight that unsettled feeling?
The fact is that in this business ... or in any business for that matter ... you need to stay sharp and stay focused. You need to be able to think clearly and work through the business challenges that are thrown up every day.
You need clarity to survive and grow ... you need to have set goals and be able to unrelentingly work towards them. And how can you do that when your brain just refuses to focus on anything?
Yes, I know that your conscience is telling you that you really should stay glued to your chair and just push through the lethargy that your brain is feeling ... and sometimes that does work ... but sometimes you just need to take a break so you can come back tomorrow bright and fresh and ready to improvise, adapt and overcome.
So if you're having one of 'those' days and you really can't settle down then take the hint and get out of the office ... even if it is just for a few hours.
I'm seriously thinking about doing just that when I've finished this column. I know that I can't take all of today off ... I've got a couple of appointments with clients later this afternoon and I need to prepare for a couple more that are scheduled for tomorrow ... but between now and then the rest of what I had planned for today can wait.
The sun is shining, there's a gentle breeze in the palm trees here and I'm definitely heading for the beach and a few hours in the sun. And that's exactly what you should be doing if you're having one of 'those' days.
Trust me ... the lethargy you feel on 'those' sort of days doesn't last long and once it has gone you'll be able to come back to your desk with lots more enthusiasm.