You’ve probably experienced it before – you have a thought that persistently intrudes into your consciousness, no matter how hard you try to get rid of it. In fact, the harder you try, the more it seems to pop up.
The same is true for unfinished business. If we start a project, and then for some reason cannot see it through to the end – something else comes up, we get interrupted – the knowledge that it is unfinished nags at us. Even if we have accomplished a lot, we cannot take solace in that fact while there is still a part that remains unfinished. Psychologists have actually studied this phenomenon and verified it.
So, if you have intrusive thoughts that are preventing you from focusing on what you need to do, what can you do to get rid of them? Studies have yielded some useful results in this area, although their scientific veracity has yet to be fully determined.
Don’t fight it – instead of trying to keep the unwanted thought from your mind, let it come in through the front door. It really does help to calm your mind and get rid of the thought. Think about it consciously, say it aloud or write it down. If you feel so inclined, you can even talk about it with your friends.
Set aside a certain amount of time during the day, say 10 or 15 minutes, as designated time to worry, when you think about all that is bothering you and allow all of those unwanted thoughts in. You might even want to write them down. It will make them more concrete so that you can better think about how you will take care of them.
Do something to take your mind off of your thoughts. Any activity that you can totally immerse yourself in will help you to take your mind off of those unwanted thoughts and worries.
If you have something unfinished, draw up a strategy for how you intend to reach your goal or accomplish your task. Just by doing this, without actually working on the task itself, can help to quell those intrusive thoughts that nag you about finishing your project.
And finally, the most obvious tack of all – to get rid of those thoughts about unfinished business, get it done.
If you are looking for temporary, temporary-to-hire or direct-hire work in the Anchorage area, send a message to the Opti Staffing Group. We would love to discuss how we can help you find the job that is right for you.