4 reasons business is a self-sabotaging cycle

By Brian Maynor

Do you ever feel like you’re just treading water when it comes to getting everything done?

Everyone seems to be busy, but at the end of the day it’s hard for most of us to pinpoint exactly what we’ve accomplished, or even worse, the things we need to accomplish never seem to get done.

Whether we want to face the reality or not, this constant state of business is actually a just a series of self-sabotaging patterns that are entirely within our control.

Here is a closer look at those patterns and how to better deal with them so we aren’t constantly busy:

1.   Always ploughing away without ever stepping back to prioritize and assess.  When stress is high, most of us default to keep our head down and blindly plugging away at our to do list based on deadlines.  This may seem like a legitimate strategy to get things done, but it’s not.  When we work solely from a deadline perspective, we can spend hours working on something that isn’t as important as other items on our list with a later deadline.  So before plunging headfirst into our next to do list, take a second to prioritize it based on what’s important instead of what’s most urgent.

2.    Overlooking the easiest solutions.  Stress has a way of blinding us to solutions that are often staring us in the face, and those are often the easiest ones.  Also, if you’re a perfectionist like me, you’re used to overcomplicating things, which is another reason we often miss the easiest solutions.  The solution to ending this cycle is to take a break.  That may seem counterintuitive, but it works, and fortunately it doesn’t have to be a long break.  Simply running to the bathroom or break room can be all we need.  The key is to get up and walk around.  By literally stepping away from the stress and allowing our minds to wander for a bit we open ourselves up to insights and breakthroughs.

3.    We revolt at the idea of delegating.  When we’re under stress, the mere thought of training someone to do even a relatively simple task can be exhausting and enough to put it off indefinitely, but that is only going to perpetuate the self-sabotaging cycle.  Whether they are work chores or personal ones, letting go can be hard, so we should focus on the amount of time we’ll be saving instead.  Yes there will be an initial learning curve, but over the long run it will be well worth the investment.

4.    Stop avoiding or trying to escape from anxiety.  Stress and anxiety go hand-in-hand, and the only way to deal with them is to face them.  However, most of us tend to avoid anxiety by putting off decisions or conversations or escape them by making a rash decision.  The drive to escape or avoid stress and anxiety can also lead to other unhealthy choices like binge watching TV, excessively drinking or spending hours on mindless screen time.  Before we can deal with these symptoms, we have to be aware of when they’re happening.  By paying attention to our routines, we will be able to identify when we’re avoiding or escaping stress and anxiety and refocus on dealing with it.

Indulging in self-sabotaging patterns is not a reflection of our character or self-control; they are struggles we all deal with on a daily basis.  Instead of suffering through a never-ending cycle of business, do a little self-assessment and look for ways to break the patterns.

I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.