It’s funny how life has a way of forcing you to slow down. Just a couple of days ago, I was carving up the slopes, enjoying the rush of crisp mountain air, and now?
I’m flat on my back, staring at the ceiling, unable to do much of anything.
I fell, literally fell, down a mountain, like a human snowball, landed in a crumpled heap having ruptured my ACL. I can tell you now, it's not for the faint-hearted.
But now I am rescued, braced and essentially confined to my bed - there's a view on the Alps, there are worse places to convalesce...
This skiing injury was not part of the plan, and I won’t pretend it hasn’t been painful and frustrating. But, weirdly, it’s also been one of the most unexpectedly productive and creatively energising periods I’ve had in a long time.
When You Can’t Move, You Have to Sit Still
Like many entrepreneurs, I’m used to being on the go. My days are filled with meetings, projects, and—largely thanks to my ADHD—the constant hum of ideas, punctuated by the occasional (okay, frequent) bout of procrastination.
The sheer ability to get up and walk around, pop out for a coffee, or shuffle my to-do list endlessly gives me the illusion of productivity—without necessarily getting the important things done. But now that I physically can’t do any of those things, I’ve realised just how much time I normally waste on unproductive distractions.
Even now, I'm technically on holiday but I have already read a book, watched some Netflix nonsense and doom-scrolled my way through TikTok... I have over-achieved in the relaxation stakes today but without the ability to load the dishwasher or start packing or anything that requires the use of ones legs, I found I wanted to work on my business.
After all we rarely get uninterrupted hours to think and plan, let alone put things into action!
So with my usual avenues of procrastination taken away, I’ve found myself with an unfamiliar clarity… or maybe “focus” is the better word.
Rather than lamenting my situation (okay, I did a little bit of that… alright, a lot), I’m using this forced pause to reassess my goals. What am I actually working towards? Am I focusing on the right things? It’s a rare opportunity to zoom out and take stock of my business and creative projects. And, as it turns out, being physically incapacitated is doing wonders for getting organised and getting on.
The Power of Delegation: How My Virtual Assistant is Saving Me
One of the biggest lessons I’m learning right now is the value of having the right support system in place. Running a business while being temporarily out of commission is no small challenge, and this is where my own virtual assistant (VA) has been an absolute lifesaver.
Even though I co-run this successful admin and virtual assistant agency, of course I have my own VA. Kate and I share her and she's amazing! At Another Mother - we practice what we preach, and this experience is proving exactly why.
Furthermore, I'd been able to call on the considerable skills of our Virtual Assistant talent pool to cover clients I personally manage whilst I was away, giving me the opportunity, as a business owner, to have a proper break from work! I know!! Miracles do happen (if you have the right support, of course).
I could have picked up those accounts from my recovery bed but instead I thought I'd focus my efforts on working ON my business, rather than just in it.
When you’re used to doing everything yourself, handing off tasks can feel unnatural. But being forced into a position where I have had to delegate more, I’m seeing just how much more effective my business can be when I’m not trying to control every little thing.
Our VA is handling my emails, managing scheduling, and keeping my operations running smoothly— squirrelling away in the background, she is allowing me to focus on strategy and creative work without getting bogged down by logistics. In her own way she's also taking away distractions.
It’s a stark reminder that having someone to lean on in tough times isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential. And the irony? Even as I find myself suddenly more focused, this breathing space is allowing me to put our assistant and our team of talent to even better use.
What We Can Learn From Being Incapacitated
Recovering from an injury might not be the most ideal way to learn a lesson about productivity, but it’s making me wonder—how can we recreate these conditions without needing to take a dramatic tumble down an Alpine slope?
Here are a few takeaways that could help anyone looking to refocus and boost their efficiency:
Remove Distractions Intentionally – My injury has naturally removed my ability to procrastinate in the usual ways. But even without an accident, we can create similar conditions by setting strict limits on distractions. Try a week without unnecessary errands, social media scrolling, or low-value tasks. See how much clarity emerges.
Literally put your phone in the fridge for a few hours! Out of sight, out of mind!
Go work from a cafe or somewhere that's nowhere near a chore you ought to do!
Wear noise cancelling headphones and run a Brown Noise video on Youtube to focus.
Enforce Stillness – Sitting still is a necessity for me right now, but it can also be a choice. Take time to slow down, reflect, and reassess where you’re going. Schedule “thinking time” in your calendar—no devices, no tasks, just space to let your brain breathe.
Leverage Your Support System – Whether it’s a virtual assistant, a business partner, or a supportive friend, learn to lean on others before you have to. Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the secret to sustained success. You know our number (0115 2000 100), call us and we can help you get started!
Work With, Not Against, Constraints – Being unable to move as freely is forcing me to focus on what actually matters. Instead of viewing constraints as roadblocks, try using them as guides to prioritise what’s truly important.
A New Perspective on Productivity
I never would have guessed that a skiing mishap would become such a productive and creatively fulfilling experience. While I definitely wouldn’t recommend taking the same route I did, I would recommend finding ways to slow down, remove unnecessary distractions, and embrace the power of delegation.
Sometimes, life forces us into stillness. But if we’re intentional, we don’t have to wait for an injury to learn the lesson.
Now, excuse me while I return to healing—both my bones and my business, with a little help from the wonderful Another Mother Virtual Assistants.
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