Prepare for what’s ahead with thoughtfulness and intention.
Take your time so that you can develop a steady cadence.
Take a moment to pause and figure out what you need right now.
When you feel overwhelmed by the number of things you need to do, and it’s been hard to know where to start, thoughtfulness and intention could look like this: take time to assess where you may need refinement and where you can let go. Take time to ask yourself thoughtful questions to help clarify your intentions:
“Do I thrive more in routine or spontaneity?”
“Which could I benefit more from right now: more social interactions or by solitary reflection?”
“Do I gain clarity through planning in detail or by allowing things to unfold naturally?”
“Am I needing something new or just a renewed sense of focus?”
The difference between these questions and more standard questions such as “What’s my top priority?” or “What’s the next step?” is that they help you assess what your needs are, beneath the surface, instead of just focusing on task completion. There’s nothing wrong with the more general questions, but in those moments where you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by the unknown future, clarity and intentionality can make all the difference, and take the pressure off feelings like you need to have all of the answers right away.
Create a steady cadence by welcoming the kind of questions that cause you to pause and reflect. Allow yourself to explore how you can be specific with what you need right now as you prepare for what’s to come. – Morgan Harper Nichols
