For most women, achieving productivity is an ever-changing goal. While you may have rituals and routines that you believe are supporting that goal,every now and then it is important to revisit the things you give your energy to.
Ultimately, productivity is defined by your energy, time, and focus. Keep in mind that your brain is configured to make a certain number of decisions per day, according to Forbes. Once that limit is reached, it is literally impossible to make more, even if you force it.
We want your mental and physical energy to be sustainable so read on and check out some ways to ensure you are doing just that.
Multitasking
We all think that we can do it all, all the time. The ugly truth is that it is impossible to multitask and be productive. Krystal Covington, CEO & Founder of Women of Denver, a social enterprise association helping women earn their worth, focused on one thing for an entire day and her mind was blown. She told Thrive Global, "I realized how taxing multi-tasking really is on our minds and bodies. When burnout finally set in, it was time for me to re-evaluate what productivity really means for me and how to make the most of my limited energy."
Failing To Set Boundaries
As women, we often abandon boundaries in an effort to please others. From coworkers always stopping by your office to your supervisor asking you to review files right before you are leaving for the day, these interruptions are a result of not setting boundaries. I am definitely guilty of not setting boundaries because I want my work to be perfect while also making others happy. In doing this, I enable others to continue to deplete my time. One way to set boundaries is by utilizing your calendar and scheduling your time in a concrete way.
Poor Communication
I'm sure your mom told you that a closed mouth doesn't get fed. However, it is very common to not communicate your needs in fear of burdening others. Whether you work for a company or work for yourself, you have to be intentional with your communication. Now more than ever, with email and text messaging, it is important to be clear and direct with instructions and expectations.
Fear Of Failure
I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on pitches because I am afraid that they are unworthy. Our culture thrives on perfectionism; it inevitably leads to unattainable goals.
Tip: Try not to hyperfocus on details – the devil is in the details for a reason. Also, choose excellence over perfection.
Putting Profit Over Passion
Do what you love and love what you do. Feeling inspired and satisfied is so important to productivity. The Huffington Post even shared that 55% of Gen X and Gen Y workers believe that finding a job that's personally fulfilling is worth sacrifices in salary. Try prioritizing tasks that you enjoy to increase effectiveness.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
