Help! My brain is full.
Do you ever have times when your brain feels full? For me, December is one of those times. We are coming up to the holiday season, the end of another year, and with that comes far too many competing commitments. Amongst the upcoming birthdays, end of school year, extra social events, Christmas and New Year celebrations, business planning for the new year etc there is also the last-minute rush of finishing off client projects before we break for the holidays.
It doesn’t seem to matter whether I’ve been working on something for 6 months or more, the end of year break always seems to spur some of my clients into action. They need it completed within the next 2 weeks. Why? In most cases, another 2 weeks is not going to make any difference. Or will it? Perhaps not to the work itself. However, when I thought about my full brain at this time of year, I realised that my clients also feel the effects of this. Whilst they may not express it as ‘having a full brain’ as I do, it is the same feeling.
At the end of a year, we are programmed to look back at what we have or haven’t achieved and look forward to the new year as a clean slate. The cumulative effect of the non-work distractions adding to this checklist of open work projects often leaves us anxious to get things finished. To get something — anything — out of our full brains. We see the new year as the time to start new things. Unencumbered by the old.
It makes me wonder: is the trade-off of a frantic end of year, carrying around our full brains, worth it for the fresh start in the new year? Or is this just an arbitrary line in the sand we draw for ourselves which unnecessarily adds to the stresses of work and life? Or perhaps there is a way that we can finish off our end of year tasks, manage the extra commitments and stave off that full brain feeling?
Let me empty some of my full brain and share my thoughts on what we can do at this time of year:
- Be realistic. There is only so much any of us can do. This time of year comes with extra commitments. Ideally, knowing this, we can plan ahead, do some of the work earlier and get to December with less things in our brains. Of course, that’s not always possible. We also need to be realistic on what things need to be completed by the end of the year. Not everything does, particularly when you are working on long term projects. The infinite game doesn’t end, and we have to realise that for some things another 2 weeks will be perfectly ok.
- Be strong. Say no to requests that add unnecessary burden. Work with others to prioritise the necessary work and to plan out the new year with the work that can wait.
- Be mindful. Of yourself and how you are feeling. Also, of others, knowing that most of us feel the same way at this time of year. Take time to recalibrate — whether that be through meditation, extra planning or even just taking one minute to stop and breathe. These will all help you feel less overwhelmed by the full brain feeling, provide clarity and help you take action.
- Be open. To seeing the end of year in a new light. We are conditioned to see the new year as the time to start fresh on new things. Yet 80% of things we start in the new year fail by February. As T.S. Eliot put it, “Every moment is a new beginning”, and if we are open to the prospect that we can start afresh at any point in time, it will take away a lot of the expectation and pressure we put on ourselves and others.
- Be kind. To yourself and others. Any small gesture of kindness helps to reduce the stress and pressure at this time of year. Don’t place unnecessary expectations on yourself or others. Give yourself a hug if it all gets too much, or you don’t tick everything off that list. It’s ok. Really.
Overall, remember that a full brain is just a feeling. I know that it is impossible for my brain to be truly full and the 100 billion+ neurons contained in my grey matter are capable of SO much more than I will ever know. So, by implementing the small shifts in my thinking (and doing) outlined above, I’m looking forward to alleviating this feeling and enjoying the run up to the holiday season.
How about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Drop me a message below if you also have a full brain at this time of year.
