How to Get Shit Done

Even when everything is falling apart around you.

Life is short. Things change in an instant. Just because you’re able to do something today doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be able to do it tomorrow.

I have a lot of stuff on my to-do list that have been piling up lately, like looming grant deadlines and writing this post.

So this is for me as much as it is for you.

I got some potentially scary health news last week. I’m not ready to go into it here now, but it will eventually make its way into my film, Grief Alchemy Project.

I could let it derail me from my aforementioned list, but I’ve decided instead to use it as a catalyst.

Here’s how we can all make sure to keep moving our projects (and lives) forward, even when things feel like they’re falling apart.

• Stop ruminating and make one small move towards your end goal. Even the tiniest step is progress. Action begets action.

• Break big things up into small steps. Make lists so you can cross things off. This will make you feel productive.

• Remember that we all have a finite amount of time on this earth. You don’t know when that time will expire. What do you want to accomplish while you’re here — finally reaching the end of your Instagram feed? No? Then put your phone down and focus on what you actually want to create.

• Ask yourself: if I knew I only had a couple of months left, would I feel like I’ve completed everything I’m supposed to complete? If yes, amazing. You should celebrate. If no, see above. Nothing is as scary as dying without having realized your full potential.

• Meditate. Ten minutes a day is great, twenty is even better. I’ve been doing TM for about a year now, but any kind of mindfulness practice will help you focus and de-stress.

• Exercise. Get into your body and out of your head.

• Know when you need to rest.

And most importantly, be kind to yourself. You are wonderful and you deserve it. Also if you beat yourself up for not being productive enough during hard times, you won’t get anything done at all.

Now let’s all get some shit done.

Until next time,

Tara