“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.” – Hans Selye
When was the last time you were in a “slump”? A slump is when you’re not performing at your best and you can’t seem to shake off the grind. (sorry had to throw that in there) When we’re in a slump we’re not in the right frame of mind to accomplish what we want to accomplish. We will make more mistakes, have a poor attitude, and don’t take care of business like we could. If you happened to watch the final game of the World Series last night, it would be a perfect example of how important our state of mind is. The winning athletes had to elevate their state and stay focused to perform at their best. This is the same for everyone. You need to work through the slumps in your life and uncover what it takes to be at your best. In all honesty, I have experienced being in a slump recently. I have taken on too much and because of this haven’t given my full attention to anything. I have been unorganized, had less energy, and have simply not felt at my best. I have been spreading myself thin at the expensive of living from purpose, power, and presence. (a little foreshadowing here) Okay, okay enough with the moaning and complaining, right. The point is I had to shake off my negative attitude if I wanted to bounce back and getting things moving. Here are a few helpful tips to work through those slumps in your life, and what you can do to elevate your state of mind.
Manage energy
When we have too much to do and not enough time, it can be stressful and exhausting, and ultimately lead to depleted energy levels. Managing our energy is the key to being more productive with less time. No matter how much time we have, if we lack energy and focus we aren’t going to get as much accomplished. For instance, when my energy level is low, I struggle to wake up in the morning. I sleep in and because of this get delay the start of my day. Despite how much work you have, find ways to boost your energy. I have found a few things crucial to prioritize in my day if I am going to feel energized.
- Meditating
- Exercising
- Eating healthy
When I prioritize my self-care I can handle stress and work more effectively.
Is there more that can be delegated?
We all have strengths and weakness, but sometimes forget to organize our life accordingly. I am guilty of trying to do everything on my own when it comes to work. I neglect that there are things I can delegate. Consider what you can outsource and how you can save time and energy by delegating some responsibility. If you don’t have someone to delegate tasks to, getting a virtual assistant is a viable option.
Elevate your state
“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” – Henry David Thoreau
To perform at our best we must learn how to shift into higher gears, or for the optimum state of mind for the task at hand. For instance, if I notice I’m having writers block it’s usually because I’m in a more analytical state instead of a creative one. I’m in a state of mind geared toward editing not writing freely. Learn how to shift your state and get in the zone. Change two things.
- Focus
What would you need to focus on get the ideal results you want? Develop a focus phrase or mantra of sorts. For me, staying inspired is a major part of bouncing back when I in a slump. When I want to feel more inspired I use the phrase “purpose, power, and presence.” (I know it’s cheesy) But each one means something specific to me and helps me get congruent and whole as I connect with these ideas.
- Physiology
Pay attention to what is going on in your body when your slumping or feeling discouraged. Change your posture and how you hold yourself. Take a few deep breathes and get centered. Alter your physiology to help you get in an optimal state
Stay in the NOW
“Restore your attention or bring it to a new level by dramatically slowing down whatever you’re doing.” – Sharon Salzberg
Staying present is one of the first things to go when I get in a slump. Even though I know it is one of the most important aspects of staying in the zone, it is something I have to work on and be intentional about. Think about how much staying present can help you lessen stress and stay focused. Instead of focusing on future concerns or ruminating about five different things at once, we can stay focused and attentive on the one moment we have, right now. Use meditation to train your attention and mind. Select an anchor, such as your breathing, a phrase, or imagery to help you remain present and aware. Next time you’re feeling down and can’t seem to get yourself out of a slump remember some of these tips.
