I just got through working with a client and she said “I got nothing done today” I was amazed and had to take a step back for a few reasons.
This is all-or-nothing thinking. All-or-nothing-thinking serves no one well. And, often times is very limiting.
This particular client’s thought was absolutely inaccurate thinking. She is a go-getter and, in relationship to what others do in a day, she got so much done!
When saying something like this, you are likely doing comparative thinking that serves no one. You are either comparing yourself to others, to the list you made, to demands you placed on yourself. Comparison of any form only leads to limiting and less-than thinking.
Being careful of what you think is so very important. The reason I’m writing this right now? I just spent a half hour ‘getting nothing done’ but here’s what I really did….
So, before you say to yourself “I got nothing done”, write down what you DID do and what you DID get done and celebrate that. Even if it was just breathing and pumping blood~ go celebrate that ~ perhaps you’re comparing yourself to something you shouldn’t or thinking you should get more done than you actually think you can get done in that time.
Have you ever said this to yourself? And, what did you really get done in the last half hour? I bet it was more than you think!
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Laura, I love the reminder to savor the small things we do in our day, including breathing!
Comment by Janine Sarna-Jones — January 28, 2013 @ 11:06 am
Yes!! It’s funny how we can really not allow ourselves to see what we HAVE done and as you say savor (love that word!) the feeling of accomplishment!
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 12:44 pm
Everything I am reading today is exactly what I needed at this very moment.! Thank you for knowing what I needed before I did ; )
Comment by Kelly — January 28, 2013 @ 1:01 pm
You are very welcome, Kelly! Isn’t it funny how we can think like this ???
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 1:50 pm
I love this post! It’s all so true! We need to focus on the positive more 🙂
Comment by Sophie Bowns — January 28, 2013 @ 1:28 pm
Thanks, Sophie! We certainly do need to do just that!
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 1:49 pm
I will have to remind myself of all the little things that I am getting done each day! Dropping by from UBC.
Comment by Corinna — January 28, 2013 @ 1:52 pm
Thanks for checking in Corinna! You ARE getting so much done each day ~ especially if you are doing the UBC (ultimate blog challenge) !!
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 2:22 pm
I do recognize this one, very much! I cured myself some years ago by making lists of what I did do and my oh my ,was I surprised! I realized I worked like crazy! Now I know I’m a working horse and I always “do” things. No need to put myself down. If I ever get laxed, its because I need it , big time! 😉
ps. I see you do Feng Shui, I’m a big fan and did som consulting myself but now I only use it in my own environment. ds
Comment by Stella Scott — January 28, 2013 @ 1:53 pm
Stella! So glad you learned this lesson ~ it’s especially hard for people who are work horses or type A’s to do ~ celebrate what they do!!! Yes, I use feng shui principles with my clients ~ I work to realign their thoughts, surroundings (that’s where the feng shui comes in) and belief systems and connecting with their inner wisdom. 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 2:26 pm
I used to be the same way! Then I started taking notice of everything I got done. What a difference it made to celebrate the success of the day. I even write them down in my Success Journal. Whooo woo!
Comment by Denys Kelley — January 28, 2013 @ 2:16 pm
Yes! That’s something to celebrate ~ the things we DO do!!! 🙂 Great for you 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 2:26 pm
I used to feel that way Laura but you’re right…who are we comparing ourselves to! And what are the standards that say, “I did enough?” In the last 1/2 hour :-), I popped dinner in the oven, I talked with my daughter, I fed my baby, I changed 3 diapers, and I read some awesome, heart-filling blog posts. Sounds like I’m pretty productive today! Thanks! Janet
Comment by Janet — January 28, 2013 @ 4:24 pm
Sounds like you had a VERY productive day 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 4:35 pm
My biggest failure is this very thing. How did you get right into my head? 😉 I am just beginning to write down accomplishments and it helps my perspective enormously – thanks for your lovely post.
Comment by Sandi — January 28, 2013 @ 6:11 pm
You’re welcome Sandi! Glad you are beginning to appreciate your accomplishments. Doing that fuels the fire to doing more and as long as the doing more is based ‘on purpose’ then we actually can achieve more than we ever thought possible AND still have time to rest, relax and rejuvenate!
Comment by Laura Clark — January 28, 2013 @ 8:46 pm
So timely for me. Sunday afternoon, I just wanted to chill after a busy week and got sucked into a Twilight marathon on TV that went until 10:30 pm and I felt so guilty (although I’m addicted!)! And then I made a mental list of everything I had accomplished over the week and thought, oh m gosh, give yourself a break, you deserve and would benefit from the downtime. I felt much better : )
Comment by Linda — January 29, 2013 @ 7:27 pm
You do deserve a break and I bet you did benefit from the downtime!!!! And, with the cold here in the northeast, it’s a great time to chill with marathon episodes!!!!!!!! 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — January 29, 2013 @ 8:44 pm
Excellent! And timely. All week, I’ve been working hard and still feeling like I got nothing done. Why? Because I still have so much more to do. And I think that’s what messes with our perception when we feel we’ve done nothing. We’ve done a lot. Just not as much as we thought we should and/or not the things we’d hoped to do. Thank you for breaking through that mind mess!
Comment by Nancy Tierney — February 1, 2013 @ 2:28 pm
You’re welcome!!! Glad it was helpful because no doubt you have done TONS ~ keep SMILING 🙂
Comment by Laura Clark — February 1, 2013 @ 3:51 pm