Getting back on track

Maybe you’ve been here before?

It's the start of something new, there's excitement and lots of momentum behind you. Then: wham! You become unwell and suddenly you've been knocked off track. You’re left wondering what on earth happened, and how you go about picking up work and life again.

I found myself in this position at the end of September. Just six weeks after starting my coaching business I was struck with a bad case of COVID which left me in bed for two weeks and then seriously fatigued for a further couple of weeks.

Aside from the incredibly retro symptoms making me feel totally grotty, I was faced with cancelling long-awaited plans and important coaching sessions, and generally feeling incredibly irked that I simply couldn’t do what I wanted or needed to do. I also found myself losing motivation at a pivotal point of starting my business, which was worrying. Despite being ill fairly often due to my chronic illnesses, I still find myself needing a reminder to adjust to the slower pace.

I was full of mixed emotions. I was disappointed at the interruption, but I knew that I needed to prioritise my rest and take it one step at a time. I was frustrated by how long it was taking me to feel better, and worried that the loss of momentum would thwart my attempts at building my business.

Yet I knew I needed to do what I could, when I could; no more, no less.

I wonder if you can relate?

After the first couple of weeks, I was able to do some important things like coaching sessions, meeting with my supervisor, and attend a family wedding. And now I find myself with some energy and finally in a position to get back to work, and back to life.

The number of things I currently have on my to-do list could become overwhelming. That's not a weird humblebrag, it's just a result of having so much time diverted to recovery. Many people use the Eisenhower Matrix or other productivity systems to avoid the overwhelm happening in the first place. However, the tasks were already stacked up so I asked myself a few questions to prioritise my list and make sure I got myself started.

Why do I need to do this?

does it even need to be on my list? Is it relevant right now?

If so, when does it need to be completed?

does it need to be done right now?

How long will it actually take me to do each task?

how can I be realistic about time and avoid overcommitting myself on any particular day?

These three questions help me to figure out what I should I do first: what’s the smallest thing I can do to create a sense of achievement? This is an important reset after weeks of vital rest.

There are other things that can get in the way of getting things done. Some things on my list take me outside of my comfort zone, and so I need to work on some psychological barriers with my coach. For now, I am aware enough to know that I will feel rubbish when I haven’t achieved something, anything - I’m talking making a cup of tea, writing an email, knitting on a couple of rows of a sweater, producing a skeleton of an evaluation framework, just something! - so simply starting can help to create a sense of momentum. Action begets action as many wise people have said throughout the years.

What can you remove from your to-do list?

What's the one thing you can do today to gain a sense of achievement?

I'm also really interested to know: what helps you regain your rhythm after an interruption?