When we find ourselves under pressure, our productivity can start to suffer. Often this involves mentally freezing up and ignoring possibilities.
At times, this means that you continue to follow a bad course of action, even though all signs suggest it?s the wrong move.
If you?re a fan of football, then you?ve probably watched in horror as the coach of your favorite team continues to call the same offensive plays that aren?t working on the field.
?Can?t he see that it?s not working?? you yell. Even if the coach could hear you through your TV, it?s likely he wouldn?t get the message.
The problem is that the pressure of the moment has activated his flight or fight mode, which results in limited thinking. It?s mental tunnel vision.
The problem isn?t limited to sports. Many leaders, who are under pressure, may under perform. Their shortcomings may have nothing to do with talent but rather a lack of perspective. They committed to a course of action that isn?t working but they don?t know what to do.
In this situation, you need to find your magic moment. This is the time when you can mentally step back from the chaos and consider whether you should continue on your current course of action. It?s like you?re holding a magic wand, ready to cast a spell of productivity.
This can be accomplished in just a minute or two. Try these steps to get the process started:
- Clear you mind. This may involve getting up, grabbing a drink of water, or making a bathroom visit, even if it?s just to check your hair. The goal is to introduce some simple activity to break your current mental state.
- Then consider how things are going. Does it pay to continue? Are you continuing merely because you?re comfortable with the familiar?
- Consider your desired results. Is your current course of action likely to get you there? Is the potential pain of a course change less than following a course that isn?t taking you anywhere or is taking you on a very slow route to your goal?
- At times, it?s hard to evaluate ourselves. If you don?t have anyone to brainstorm with, then consider the advice you would give someone else who was facing the same situation. We often give better advice to others than we give ourselves.
If you feel like you?re too busy to take these steps, then you are likely to fall into a common productivity trap. Doubling down on a bad bet doesn?t improve your odds.
Remember our football coaches? They?re pretty busy in a game but they have the ability to call a timeout to make adjustments. It?s an important part of strategy. It?s not a retreat from action, it?s a regroup.
The results can be magical.
