• Ask for someone else’s feedback or opinion. You may be able to break the mental blockade by building on someone else’s ideas.
• If a mental blockade isn’t resolved by taking a walk, shift to the next task in your time structure if possible. By working on something productive, you avoid wasting time. When the task is done, try to get back to the prior task.
• If alternating tasks doesn’t work, change the environment. Work at a different desk or from a table in an employee lounge. Shifts in the environment can alter your mental state.
Tips for Managing Change
• Recognize that business principles such as honesty and quality should not change but that the processes used to deliver the business’ products and services can change. Welcome process changes that improve product or service quality.
• Use an organized process improvement methodology like six sigma or lean sigma. By studying the problem, analyzing alternatives, quantifying the change and the benefits and having an organized implementation, you are managing change after in depth study and a defined action plan.
• Do not get emotional invested in your current time structuring. Allow structures to change as demands and priorities change. If your partner or children need more time with you, hand off commitments to charities or drop a few extracurricular activities.
• When your time structure changes and new slots open up, don’t leave them empty and idle. Deliberately put the time to use, even if it is planned free time or rest. If you no longer work on a high priority project, eliminate the expected extra time at work and use it for other purposes. If you complete a class, don’t let the time sit blank on your time structure. Fill it in with a productive use such as a planned date night with a spouse or reading for pleasure.
