Avoiding ‘Mental Quicksand’ at work!
By: Neil Patrick G. Nepomuceno
In sports psychology, when players or athletes showed poor judgement and performance due to nervousness and external factors, it is often referred to as ‘mental quicksand’ by their coaches.
Whether you’re an athlete or a high-performing employee, there are times that you may encounter similar scenarios. Here are 5 tips on how to ensure that you always bring you’re A-game at work!
SMARTLY ALLOCATE TASKS
You may start by allocating tasks based on your strengths and weaknesses to save time and ensure that quality work is achieved.
TIPS:
Whether you’re in a hybrid, 100% onsite, or work-from-home setup, encouraging a collaborative environment among team members enables everyone to share their expertise and learn from one another.
By fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment and working together, team members can leverage each other’s strengths.
ANALYZE YOUR RESOURCE CAPACITY
The goal here is to identify and fill the gap between your demand for resources and your actual capacity. If you see that you’ll go behind schedule, consider getting extra help.
TIP:
Now that you’ve assessed your work tools, identify gaps early and, if falling behind, consider seeking additional support by proposing a shortlist of the things that you need to deliver the task.
Creatively Solve the Problem
Sometimes, you have to solve problems by creatively thinking of an alternative. This might involve repurposing existing tools, leveraging free or low-cost resources, or finding unconventional yet effective approaches. Think of it like using rubber bands and a pencil instead of a capo, or using the flat top of an empty trash bin (make sure to clean it first!) as a tripod when you want to get stabilized video footage.
CREATE A COMPELLING TO-DO LIST.
In a world filled with technological tools, our mobile phones and the constant notification sounds, it is easy to get distracted. To avoid this, create a to-do list that will immediately get your attention. The last thing you want is to forget about your to-do list when faced with a new task or an urgent request from your superiors.
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Craft a prioritized to-do list with clear deadlines
Increase your productivity and the efficacy of your to-do lists by adding deadlines. Keep it visible and regularly update it. These steps ensure that you stay focused on your tasks and can easily manage new responsibilities without losing track of ongoing priorities.
KEEP TABS ON WORK PROGRESS
When managing workloads, carefully tracking your performance progress is crucial to attain success. You can do this manually with a pen and notebook, or through time tracking and task management apps.
TIPS:
Using your smartphone and laptop in making a to-do list can make you desensitized due to “digital fatigue” from extended screen times. To ensure that you stay on top of your workloads, you may try these effective alternatives.
Progress Journals
Maintain a progress journal where you record achievements, challenges faced, and lessons learned. It serves as a reflection tool and motivator.
Weekly Reviews
Conduct weekly reviews to assess the week’s accomplishments and set priorities for the upcoming week, ensuring continuous improvement.
For more career tips, check out our collection of Career Tips here!