NickVenturella.com 11-22-19 - Hang on November is almost gone

Hang on November is almost gone

November 22, 2019

I feel like November is the month that flies by almost under the radar until Thanksgiving (here in the States at least).And this year, Thanksgiving is so late that the December holidays are close to follow.Regardless of how quickly the end of this year is approaching there are still plenty of things to do…

  • Holiday gatherings to host/attend

  • Final bits of project work to complete by year end

  • Planning for a successful 2020

Hopefully spirits are bright, but there seems to be real pressure we experience towards the end of the year. Pressure to wrap everything up (no holiday pun intended) to close out the year.

How are you maintaining a positive, growth mindset in the face of the pressure?

It's important to recognize how you're feeling and take a moment to reflect on why you might be feeling that way. Then lean into it and embrace how you can channel the anxious energy you're feeling into positive outcomes.

For me, I have several work projects to wrap up by year end, some music performances to prepare for, an

coming up, and some potential opportunities for businesses to use my GrowLoop Journal to aid their employee engagement efforts. Not to mention family time around the holidays. 

It can feel like your brain is being stretched in so many different directions that if not careful, it may get ripped apart.

Some of this pressure is just a change in your regular routine - more things needing to get done in a compressed time frame. The pace has changed.

Some of the pressure is anxiety or fear of not being able to keep up to get it all done in the time available -- that overwhelming feeling that if allowed could debilitate us and paralyze us from getting anything done. Then you would just feel guilty about things, and that can send you into a downward spiral. Let's avoid that.

What can you do?

One of the best things I think you can do when you start to feel like there is too much to do in a given time period is simply slow down enough to take a few moments to document anything and everything that needs to be done. I know slowing down seems counter intuitive here, but it's really not.

Then each day, decide what are the top 1 to 3 things that need to get done. These are the top things that if you couldn't do anything else these will move the needle for you that day.

Then the next day, take a minute to celebrate the fact that you accomplished those things from the day before and pick 3 more priorities for this new day. Rinse and repeat.

By breaking things down and taking action you can move your progress forward to chip away at what needs to be done. Also, it's important to see your own progress and celebrate the little victories each day. That helps fuel your confidence and momentum to take more action.

There's a good deal of research around this sort of idea. I know I've share it before and the

. That said, for those in your life who could benefit from an easy system to help them tackle goals while improving their mood and confidence, the

.

Okay, enough with the pitch, it's important to be self-aware when you're getting overwhelmed so you can create a plan to positively handle all that needs your attention without losing your mind. The best advice in that case really is: just put one foot in front of the other.

***Upcoming Events / UpdatesNick Venturella music performances:I'm so excited for this show tonight.If you're in the area come on out, there is no cover charge.Plus, Yahara Bay is just a cool venue.Yahara Bay Distillers6250 Nesbitt RoadFitchburg, WI 53719Friday November 22, 20197:30pm - 9:30pmHotelRed1501 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711Tuesday December 17, 20194pm - 6pm(private party)Other events:Eleven Music Career Center'sMadison Musicians Networking Holiday Happy HourLocal Madison musicians and other music related professionals come on out to expand your network of useful contacts to help advance your career and musical profession.Tuesday December 3, 2019

Have a great weekend ahead!Sincerely,Nick VenturellaCreative ProfessionalNickVenturella.comNickVmusic.netGrowLoop.comTurnUpToEleven.com