How to Get Things Done When You’re Menopausal
A demanding career, busy home life, middle-aged hormones and the resulting mental overwhelm can have detrimental effects on the productivity of women in midlife. The answer to navigating these challenges lies, not in finding more time, but making more space.
One thing I have noticed as I get older is that my life seems to have gathered momentum. It seems increasingly difficult to find time for the things that I really enjoy doing. An action-packed working life, busy home life, middle-aged hormones and the resulting chaos in my head have impacted my ability to get things done effectively. And I know I’m not alone.
According to a study by the University of Leicester in 2017, “the evidence suggests a wide range of symptoms characterise menopause transition. It also indicates their negative effects on mid-life women’s quality of working life and performance at work, whatever the origins of these symptoms.”
The report lists some of the negative effects of the transition into menopause impacting time management, emotional resilience and the “ability to complete tasks effectively”.
I cherish those times when a meeting is cancelled and an unexpected few moments open up in my working day. It gives me time to literally gather my thoughts, many of which may be scattered around my brain. Why is it, then, that I have to apply such a huge amount of discipline not to rush to fill the time with something else?
“Being creative, strategic, and simply present and loving don’t require time — they require space.”
- David Allen
This, according to the author of a best-selling book and methodology on the subject of productivity, David Allen, is the secret to getting things done. Creating space for mental downtime is vital when it comes to avoiding overwhelm, helping you actively solve challenges and make progress on what’s important to you.
So, how to schedule space into an already crammed life and a brain filled with the clutter of the 21st century world we live in? You may or may not be aware of David Allen’s GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology, but there’s a chance you’re already using some of these methods to get a grip on things.
The revelation for me when I think about this is that it goes beyond simple productivity. This is about making it free-from stress. It’s about slowing down, not speeding up; emptying your head instead of filling it up.
These steps can help bring clarity and focus when the brain fog sets in:
1 — Be a Magpie
Capture & collect everything that catches your attention. Most things don’t need to be dealt with immediately. Useful collection tools include Evernote or a basic notebook. Check out this article for more ideas.
2 — Be a Falcon
Take a view. What information can be acted on and what should the next action be? For things that aren’t immediately actionable, decide whether they should be kept as reference, put on hold or discarded.
3 — Be a Squirrel
Put everything where it belongs. Categorise your findings and place reminders in appropriate places.
4 — Be a Meerkat
Update and review regularly to ensure you stay focused on what’s most important.
5 — Be a Shark
Use this system to get clear on what you will and will not take action on. And go for it!
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Sophie Neilan : Coach and Creative Consultant
Sophie is a high impact certified professional coach and creative consultant who works with her clients to grow and scale their businesses. She also specialises in igniting, launching and fuelling the careers of people in mid-life so that they can approach their second act with meaning and purpose.
Areas of particular interest include:
- Creative Mentoring & Consultanc
- Mid-life Career Ignition
- Inspirational Leadership
For more information, check out her website explorationspace.coach
