Day-to-Day Mini-Superchargers

Feeling pressure? Deadlines approaching? Overloaded to-do lists? An inbox with unknown, unread surprises? I know what you mean!

Any office worker, whether you are project manager, account manager, people manager or in any other role, will need to live with workload at any given moment in time. A longer time ago a respected colleague asked me: "How do you do this? You are always so organised and relaxed, even under pressure". I was a surprised to hear him saying this, hence my response: "I am definitely not!". Actually at that moment I did not have my priorities clear at all, was running behind issues and was living long - and unwanted - office days. I often have thought back to that moment of feedback, especially in past months which have been characterised with (again) loads of work and matters that needed attention. I've had my bad moments in past months, but reflecting on this, I believe that I have countered them with my day-to-day Mini-Superchargers.

Mini-Supercharger #1: Have A Break

Whether it's a cup of coffee or tea, a run, or a walk around the block: it helps to shift a gear back and reflect on the day and on issues that keeps you busy. Studies show that the mind comes up with the most creative ideas or solutions when being in a switched-off mode.

Mini-Supercharger #2: Start An Unplanned Chat

A simple "how are you today?" is the next Mini-Supercharger. You never know what response comes back, and it get's you out of your problem-focused mode. Even more effective is when you do this by actually walking towards somebody. It not only gets your body moving, but breaks your habit of sitting behind your desk focusing on your own work. Asking the question and actually sit and stand with the other helps them feeling seen and helps you recharge and set your mind on something else then the report you were working on.

Mini-Supercharger #3: Make Mind Notes To Your Purpose

As Stephen Covey said, one of the habits of highly effective people is thinking and acting with the end in mind. Now, that's a hard one. It's great that I have my goals and vision on what I want to be, what I want to focus on or what fulfils my purpose. Yet I still need to structure my inbox, write that report or finish that presentation before 4pm. Those things hardly pay into my long-term goals. That might be true, nevertheless, those activities are part of my job as well and need to be done. An effective Mini-Supercharger is making a mind note - or even a written note to yourself - how positive moments during your day have paid into your long-term career goal, or have contributed to your purpose. You will be surprised how many you collect during a week if you build in the practice into your working day, and with that acknowledging those important moments.

Mini-Supercharger #4: Seek Inspiration

I recently hosted a coaching session on communication skills for managers. I remember how this session energised me and I wondered afterwards - applying Mini-Supercharger #3 - why this was the case. It was clear to me that the experiences and cases shared by the participants helped me understand - and structure - this wide-encompassing topic of communication in little chunks, just by working through examples. This group and this session inspired me. However, inspiration can also be found in other little things. Reading an article on a topic totally outside of your profession. Watching a YouTube video or a TED talk. Or, as I did recently did after a Mini-Supercharger #2 moment of an unplanned chat with a co-worker: listening to a podcast on the topic that charisma can be learned. Whereby I always thought, that charisma is something you are born with, or not. Thank You, Mini-Supercharger!

I hope that this little collection of thoughts has helped you create your next Mini-Supercharger moment in your busy day-to-day job.