When Things Go Wrong in Bali...

When shit goes down in

Bali, it goes dowwwwwwn...

You might have noticed that I haven’t written a blog post in a long time.

I’ve found it difficult to focus on writing, as I’ve been going through one of the most inconvenient times of my life.

Everything went monumentally wrong for me a couple of weeks ago; and I’m still dealing with the fall out now.

Before this happened; I think I had managed to get my shit together. I was living the most blissful, restful, creative life - all while managing to keep my goals firmly in sight. I had a nice little flow going on; writing regularly and working solidly on my business. A couple of weeks ago, this all came to an abrupt stop.

It all started when my phone and (only) bank card got stolen at a local restaurant.

I suddenly found myself adrift; stranded in a foreign country without two of the most basic essentials. As social media plays such a huge part in what I do; not having my iphone has thrown me way off course.

I haven’t been able to capture any images of the beauty around me; the way I normally would. I also haven’t had the use of my usual apps to run my business, or to keep in touch with everyone. It's been unsettling, to say the least.

On top of that, I’m sure you can imagine the impact of losing your ONLY bank card in while overseas. Having literally NO access to money in Bali has been one of the scariest experiences of my life. Luckily my supportive family have gone through the hassle of wiring me money until I can get a new bank card sent over. I was also blessed to have met a lovely person who helped me to get through this terrible time. I’m so grateful for the kindness that I have been shown.

It has been a nightmare to be without access to cash, and to try and sort everything out from afar. If I have one piece of travelling advice from this whole experience; it’s BRING A SPARE EMERGENCY BANK CARD WITH YOU.

Believe it or not; some positives have come out of this disaster.

Being without a phone has forced me to simply sit back and drink in all the beauty around me; without it being filtered through a lens. I’ve been able to enjoy my sensual, exotic surroundings, without being distracted by notifications or messages.

I’ve also had loads of beautiful and funny experiences while being forced to live ‘off the grid’.

However; I've become seriously sidetracked by focusing solely on surviving over the last few weeks. I’ve really given into the distractions that have come my way, and let the stress get to me. I’ve found that my motivation and resolve have weakened massively. It might sound slack, but instead of knuckling down and doing my best with the resources that I still have; I’ve totally succumbed to the distractions around me.

I desperately need to get myself back on track; so I’ve done some research on how to rekindle productivity and inspiration when you’ve lost it. I will be putting the following nine tips into play over the next few days. If (like me) you’ve found yourself drifting from your goals; I hope these tips may help you to find your feet again.

Nine Ways to Rekindle Productivity and Inspiration:

1. Dedicate some solid time away from the things that are distracting you

It can seem impossible to step away from things that are interrupting your flow. But, if you have goals or projects that you want to achieve; it’s crucial to set aside dedicated alone time. Schedule in sessions to ‘lock yourself away’, so that you can focus and put in the work that you need to do - without any distractions.

2. Use noise-cancelling headphones

I know I go on about noise-cancelling headphones all the time; but I’ve honestly found them to be game changers. I can sit in the busiest cafes, with the loudest music, and STILL focus on my work. They literally block out all surrounding noise; so I can simply concentrate. They also act as a clear sign to anyone who might want to approach you that you have shit to do and aren’t in talking mode. Bonus!

3. Download productivity apps

There are some great apps out there for people who have no self-control (like me). One particularly good method to use is the Pomodoro Technique, which was invented by Francisco Cirillo in the 80s. It basically involves working for 25 minute spurts, and breaking for 5 minutes; so that you can recharge and boost your productivity. Just search for Pomodoro in your App Store to try it out!

4. Turn off notifications

If you have trouble focusing due to distracting social media/email notifications; turn them all off while you work. You’ll get so much more done without stopping to check them. And consider using a web blocker if you find yourself being tempted into googling obscure, ridiculous things. Searching for '16 Zoom-Ins of Ken Burns' Haircut' is NOT going to get you where you want to be.

5. Remove options

Before you go to sleep at night, make a list of the things that you are going to achieve the next day. Chose three main tasks; so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Then, when you wake up; focus on knuckling down and finishing each one - one at a time. Having too much choice about what to work on can actually cause stress and overwhelm.

6. Create deadlines for yourself

The other thing that can be stressful is having unlimited time to finish projects. You can often end up being far less productive, as there is no restriction on when you need to get things done by. Creating deadlines can cause a good amount of pressure, and force you to focus; instead of casually putting in work here and there. They also give you a sense of purpose to strive for.

7. Reign in that daydreaming

Apparently, studies have shown that we spend nearly 50% of our awake time thinking about something OTHER than what we’re supposed to be doing. As a big-time daydreamer, this doesn’t surprise me! My mind wanders all over the show - particularly when I’m trying to avoid doing things that I don’t want to do. Be mindful, and try to check yourself when you start drift off.

8. Remind yourself of your ‘why’

The easiest way to stay on track is to constantly remind yourself of WHY you are doing what you are doing, and WHY you want to achieve it. The best way to do this is to keep a visual reminder close by. Something that sparks emotion whenever you see it. Maybe a vision board, or even just your phone screensaver. Focusing on your ‘why’ can inspire motivation, even when you feel like you don’t have any.

9. Treat yourself

Everyone likes to be treated! Trick yourself into feeling motivated by having a reward waiting for when you accomplish your goals. It could be a massage, a nice meal - even just a hot bath. Anything that can act as an incentive to celebrate with, once you have put in the hard yards and done what you need to do.

I'm going to be working really hard over the next few weeks to get myself back into a good flow. I'll keep you posted with how I go!