Five things to do when your fuel tank is low.
Let’s face it, we all have days in our working life when we’re under par. We’re feeling wiped out, uninspired, stuck in a rut. Or we have one of those days where things seem to conspire against you: no-one gets back to you, that project gets cancelled and, oh, it’s a miserable day outside.
And on days like these, it can be hard to stay positive.
Whilst there’s no magic wand to finding your mojo, there are some steps you can take to refuel. If you start by accepting how you feel, rather than trying to deny it, then you can begin to make your peace with it. It’s not about wallowing in self-pity, it’s about acknowledging how you feel (and that it’s perfectly OK and normal to have down days) and then putting in some steps to get you out of the rut.
Here are five suggestions to try when the fuel tank is low.
Take a break. If you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed you won’t be in the right mindset to tackle your to-do list. Taking a break however will likely be met with resistance - surely you don’t have time? Well, the point at which we say we are too busy to take a break is probably exactly the time we should take a break. In his book ‘When’, Dan Pink cites some research from two parole boards. The research found judges tended to be more lenient just after they had taken a break. It’s only a few hours later that the hardline attitude reappears. The judges then take a second break and the pattern is repeated. Breaks are clearly important for refreshing and rejuvenating the mind. So get up from your desk, take a walk around the block, go and grab a coffee.
Know what fuels you - and do it! Tune in to what works for you, and then go and do it. As soon as you get into your stride, you’ll feel your fuel levels rise. Hollywood screenwriter Aaron Sorkin knows what gets his ideas flowing: taking a shower. He’s now got a shower installed in his office so he can scrub himself clean up to eight times a day. Mr Sorkin finds that taking regular showers re-energises him creatively. Judging by the success of his shows, it’s definitely worth him having such a hygiene habit.
Get inspired. If your own fuel tank is empty, try looking somewhere else for inspiration. Read a book, listen to a podcast, watch a Do Lecture. Inspiration out needs inspiration in.
Get some support. Tell the people around you you’re having a tough day. Having support from your peers in the way of a friendly chat or finding a shoulder to lean on might be just what you need. Or perhaps you need a different perspective on something or would benefit from a sounding board. We’ve all been there, so most of us would be willing to help to get you out of a rut.
Look after yourself. If your fuel tank is low, it’s a sign that you need to look after yourself. Not just your physical health, but your mental health too. We do everyone around us a favour when we feel good about ourselves - we’re more supportive partners, better parents and less grumpy colleagues. There’s nothing wrong in putting our hand up and acknowledging we need time out. Be kind to yourself - get plenty of sleep, go for a walk, call time on work for the day and switch off that digital device.
If you’d like to energise your team with a whole load of fresh ideas and inspiration, hire Ian to give one of his signature More Good Days at Work workshops or presentations.
