Do you need to carve some mental space in the chaos of your life? Sometimes life gets too busy or too out of control, and we feel like all we do is frantically keep the plates spinning. Can you relate? If so, it’s time to clear out some mental space.
It’s hard to think clearly when you feel the weight of too many unfinished tasks on your shoulders, or when your environment has fallen into chaos. If that’s where you are today, you may need to create a clearing in the chaos so you have room to think.
An example: At our house, the kitchen island is where we put everything we carry into the house. It is also a staging ground for objects going elsewhere. When I go to cook meals I often spend the first few minutes clearing away the clutter so I have room to work. Once I have created a space (literally and figuratively) I can set out the cutting board and commence chopping onions.
Where might half an hour (or less) of work clearing a space in your world give you the elbow room you need to function better?
5 ways to create mental space in your busy life
- Cross off some nagging tasks. Accomplishing a bunch of small tasks you’ve been putting off might give you the mental space to focus on more important stuff. Set the timer for half an hour and tackle as many small tasks as you can. Whew!
- Carve a dent in the chaos. If your physical space has been neglected too long it is probably weighing on you more than you’d like to admit. The best way to improve overall productivity may be to tidy your environment. Clean up your desk. File that stack of papers (actual or virtual). Restore some order to your immediate surroundings and it will pay dividends on your concentration and efficiency.
- Rework your schedule. Maybe your biggest energy drain is a schedule that has gotten so overbooked there’s no room left to breathe. Take a few minutes to identify tasks that can be moved to give yourself some space: What non-critical appointments can you reschedule to next week? Or next month? Look for at least one non-essential task and eliminate it. Consider whether changing the order of tasks would make the day run more efficiently. None of us need the guilt of failing to meet our commitments, so be honest with your energy limits and bring your schedule into the realm of reality.
- Perform a to-do list core dump. Sometimes our biggest stress is mental clutter rather than physical clutter. Getting it all down in writing can help. Spend a few minutes capturing every unfinished task, no matter how big or small. Don’t stop with the obvious ones, but take time to dredge up all the other niggling tasks living just below your current awareness. Once you have your list, identify the next small step you need to take in each task. Finally, prioritize the tasks so you know what to work on next. This strategy should create some order in the mental chaos and help you make better use of your time.
- Break down an intimidating task. We often put off starting a new project because it is so big, scary, or complex that we don’t know where to start. (You know which one I’m talking about. The one you should have started weeks ago—maybe months ago—but it’s so daunting you’ve been afraid to start.) Figuring out where to start can create some mental space. Look that project squarely in the eyes and break it down into individual action items. Keep breaking the tasks into smaller and smaller sub-tasks until you get to actions that are bite-sized enough to tackle today. Pick one and accomplish it. There, you’ve gotten the ball rolling. Now keep going. You got this!
Where is chaos pressing in on your life and making it hard to think? Where can you clear a little elbow room that will give you the mental space you need to keep functioning? I hope these tips will help you find sanity and peace, even in the midst of a busy life.
Thanks for this helpful advice, Lisa!!
Always happy to share what has worked for me.