LEARN
Something Worth SharingClose Tabs. Empty The Trash
Every so often my computer goes slowly and struggles. When this happens, if my husband is anywhere near me, he will ask me ‘how many tabs are open?’. I have stopped answering this question, because both he and I already know the answer…too many! I am guilty of opening multiple applications and folders all at the same time, and jumping between this task and that. I know full well that this is not the ideal approach to anything - meaning not just my laptop, but in life too. We can all be guilty of starting multiple things and failing to focus on one - something that is frustrating and really inefficient. But just as my laptop starts to perform poorly when too many tabs and applications are open, we perform at a suboptimal and decreasing levels with unresolved and part started tasks. In addition, we often have a few tabs with historical ‘past stuff’ running in the background, perhaps relating to our childhood, fallouts, old relationships, previous jobs etc. that can drain and deplete us. Whatever your ‘open tabs’ are, they will eventually result in a sense of chaos and overwhelm. The more tabs that are left open, the more energy is wasted. It’s not even enough to just close them - although this is certainly a start - because they will just sit in our ‘trash’. This means we still have them, and while more manageable in our trash bin, we are best emptying everything every so often. So what do we do? We will have to open new tabs and accumulate trash in life - it happens every day - so we need to develop the habit of closing tabs and emptying trash before our system crashes! Here are a few suggestions, based on personal experience both with the computer and in life: Tidy files: Create simple structures and systems. Maintain files: Make an end of week tidy up habit. Close tabs: Build a daily habit and make it your end of day routine. Empty the trash: Add an end of week routine. Shutdown: Every so often, make sure you turn everything off - and on again! Prioritise your life-tabs: What can you close, and what needs attention? Rest: Unplug yourself including from social media. Accept and let go of what you can’t influence or change. Close the loop: See what actions are needed to stop wasting your energy and focus, and ask for help to manage any difficult stuff. Focus: Pay attention and prioritise what you can influence and change. Remember who’s in control: Either you are in charge of your ‘tabs’ or they are in charge of you.
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