When You’re Stuck in a Productivity Spiral...

Have you ever felt stuck in a spiral of productivity?

I know I have.

It’s easy to get into a rhythm of creating, planning, managing, producing, and moving from one task to the next. There can be a lot of good in that energy. It helps us problem-solve, build momentum, and get things done.

But sometimes, when I stay in that mode too long, I realize I’ve drifted away from the real parts of life.

I think of it as the difference between generative energy and inhabiting energy.

Generative energy is the part of us that creates, organizes, plans, solves, and moves things forward.

Inhabiting energy is the part of us that comes back to the moment we are actually in.

We need both.

But without enough present-moment time, I can start to feel burnt out, snappy, or frazzled. I become less receptive to feedback, and I lose perspective.

When I notice that happening, I try to step out of productivity mode for a few minutes and practice inhabiting energy.

Here are a few simple ways that can look:

• Take a 5-minute break and ground through your five senses. What can you see, hear, feel, smell, or taste?

• Do your current task with your full attention. If you are washing your hands, notice the temperature of the water and the feeling of it running over your skin.

• Stop and look outside. Let your eyes find the horizon line.

• Follow your breath. In through your nose, into your lungs, and out through your mouth.

• Give your full attention to the person in front of you. Notice their eyes, their gestures, their expression. Let yourself remember how precious this ordinary moment can be.

As they say in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

So today’s post is just a small reminder to slow down a few times this week.

Come back to the current moment with your full presence. 🫶

And if you’d like a simple place to begin, you can try our free 3-Minute Breathing Reset here: