Returning to camp after leave can be a challenge. Time is not your own, schedules are unpredictable and finding the space to get stuff done might be tough.
But Ali Macdonald Ð a former Reservist and CEO of human performance specialists Resilient Nutrition (resilientnutrition.com) Ð says you can get stuck into the new year with a few clever tactics
CHECKLIST
With a packed schedule, it's critical to distinguish between what must be done and what can wait. Start each day by identifying your top three tasks. These might be prepping kit, ensuring admin is squared away, or tackling training goals. Write them down and you'll find it easier to stay focused.
There's usually a window, perhaps early in the morning or after PT, when your energy and focus are at their peak. Use this time for jobs that require the most concentration, like revising orders, planning training or preparing for an inspection.
Even the most disciplined mind struggles with endless graft. Divide complex or demanding work into 25-60 minute blocks with proper breaks between. Avoid distractions like phones and instead crack some phys or step outside to reset.
Silence your phone or leave it in your locker, avoid unnecessary chatter and whack on some headphones, batch-check emails to prevent constant interruptions and find a quiet spot in which to concentrate, even if it's just a corner of the cookhouse
Just as you train your body, do the same with your mind. It might take some practice to avoid distractions, but building up periods of focused effort over time will make long stretches of deep work feel much easier.
It could be in the field, a hangar or the back of a Rover. Wherever it is, make it fit for purpose. Keep the tools for the job organised and close at hand.
Use the predictability of your routine to plan ahead and allocate time to do specific activities. If possible, carve out a space for undistracted thinking time, like a quiet spot in the block.
