This week we are discussing 3 Key Tools for a Productive Mindset or what we like to call How to Stay Happy While Eating an Elephant One Bite At a Time on a Journey of 10,000 Miles.

1.  Affirmations . . . or "What Are You Saying to Yourself About Yourself?"

What most people don’t realize about affirmations is that you are doing them anyway.  Each morning as you lie there in bed and you think about getting up to face the day you are saying something to yourself.  What you are saying to yourself is extremely important not only in what you get done that day, but also in how you feel while doing it.

That’s why we like to choose the thoughts we have on a regular basis.  So stand in front of a mirror and repeat your goals, your desires, and your best qualities.  When we focus on the positive, we feel good about ourselves.  And when we feel good about ourselves we have the confidence to take the actions necessary.

So figure out what thoughts would be useful to you.  Write them in the present, as if you already feel that way and make sure to make them positive, not the absence of a negative. more on this topic


2.  Chunking Down . . . or "How to Manage Overwhelm"

One of the bigger problems that small business owners have is to manage all of their ideas and projects without getting overwhelmed by all that needs to be accomplished.  What we’ve found is that many people get into overwhelm because of the way that they are thinking about a project.  What many tend to do is to chunk everything together until they feel like it’s just too much and maybe it is time for a break.

It usually looks like this – “Oh no, did I forget to pay the phone bill?  I’d better pay that or the phone will get shut off!  I’ll do that after I finish this blog post I’m in the middle of.  Don’t forget to call back that potential client!  And then I have to get the oil changed on the car.  What am I making for dinner again?  Oh no, my website traffic has fallen again this week, I’d better call that SEO guy that was recommended to me.”  And on, and on, and on . . . until finally you just need to take a break.  And once again the phone bill wasn’t paid.

So, here is what we suggest.  Chunk it down into bite size pieces.  Make sure that it feels very doable.  And then calendar it.  Once that task is done then you can worry about what to do next.  Remember, the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.  more on this topic


3.  Staying in the Zone . . . or "How to Manage Your Feelings"

This is a huge problem for small business owners.  Fear, stress, anxiety and frustration all can and do stop you from getting things done and from taking the big steps you need to take to grow and prosper.

So, what we suggest is that you take a break.  Yep, we said it.  Step away from the computer.  Go outside and take a walk.  Maybe get some exercise.  Do a sudoku puzzle.  Or just sit with a pad and doodle.  You need to give your mind a rest from all of that problem solving.  Also, feeding your body some endorphins and feeding your mind something creative and whimsical will make you that much more productive when you return to work.  more on this topic

We hope you enjoyed this little break from all of your so very important tasks and we look forward to guiding you to more joy and less stress on your journey to taking over the business world.  Now, doesn’t that look inviting.


Got your own favorite tips?  COMMENT below and share them with our community!