Improvement, achievement and success are great motivators. Inevitably, there are times when we face challenges. Projects with longer time horizons lead to mounting challenges that become overwhelming. This can take place around both physical objectives and those of the intellectual nature.
An example for a marathoner is a nagging IT band or slight hamstring pull. While we want to continue our training to accomplish our goal race time, doubling down when an injury persists is rarely the best solution and may create more serious setbacks. Similarly, if you are working through a difficult project at work without the necessary support and a positive outcome seems nowhere in sight, you may tempted to soldier forward disregarding your well-being. This approach could lead a stressful breaking point where the anxiety itself reduces your chance of success.
In both cases, continued attempts at forward progress can be detrimental in the long-term. Even creating an effective plan when experiencing heavy stress can be difficult. It is important to get back to your baseline, recover, reset mentally and recalculate your course. A short recovery period will allow you to develop a clear and unclouded path to success without adding greater risk to your project’s outcome.
The Daily Digest of Marc Grabowski 