There are days when it seems that I can’t get anything done, I lack the focus I desperately need. When an unproductive day comes along, I choose to write it off. I accept that nothing is getting done and go do something else.

Typically I go to the store, run errands, shop online, play games, read news, anything that I want - just so long as I am doing something. The stillness of staring at a monitor, or a blank page is makes me not want to do something even more. The more I stare, the more paralyzed I become, instead I ditch it. Walk away and do something else.

We can all go and do something else, even if we have bosses. Go to the bathroom, make a copy, chat with a co-worker – anything that gets your mind back into the now. After you have worked to get your mind off the task take a look at it again, with a fresh perspective.

I am a all for stopping with work for the day when I hit a brick wall. I am aware that most people can’t do this, and for those of you who cannot just leave for the day I have a work around: Do busy work.

Busy work is great for days when we hit a wall, it is easy, time consuming, and requires no creativity. When you are stuck, busy work is what you should be turning to. Respond to emails, organize, file, fill out forms, these are all great ways to pass the day. There are tons of things to do and try to help jumpstart your creativity, I prefer to let it flow naturally (when I can). Of course there are times when you don’t have that luxury, but for the times when you can wait, why not do busy work? When we are in a creative zone having to do busy work will kill it, I prefer to try and get all of the busy work done when I am not in a creative zone.

To recap:

• Stop work
• Get your mind off of work
• Take a look with fresh eyes
• If step 3 fails do busy work

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• How to Be Less Busy in a Busy Busy World