When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Recorded Jeanette Winterson said elsewhere, not written here
Never stop when you are stuck. You may not be able to solve the problem, but turn aside and write something else. Do not stop altogether.

The Guardian Review, 20 February 2010 source ↗

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Cheryl Strayed Author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things
I’m a super big fan of list making. I’m like the list queen. And every problem I have ever had has been solved by a list. You write down all the reasons for this, and all the reasons for the other thing, and then there are sub-lists. You can color code them. You can get highlighters. And the answer is there.
Recorded Tim Ferriss, The Tim Ferriss Show, The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss, 22 June 2018 source ↗
David Vélez Co-founder and chief executive of Nubank
Now I try to protect one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon where I turn off Slack, and I don't check email. I might read, or write in a journal, or just go for a walk. It's become one of the most important parts of my day. It's when I'm most creative, and when I hit on ideas that can take the company in new directions.
Recorded questionnaire, Sequoia Capital, 15 August 2018 source ↗
Hilary Mantel Novelist and critic
If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to ­music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem. But don’t make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people’s words will pour in where your lost words should be. Open a gap for them, create a space. Be patient.
Recorded The Guardian Review, 20 February 2010 source ↗
Ellie Simmonds British Paralympic swimmer, 2008–2021
When I was in Beijing, London, and also in Rio I was still a kid really, I didn't feel pressure. Now I'm a 26 year old woman. Being a lot older I feel those expectations. And it's definitely hard on my shoulders, to the extent where in training I'm ok but in competitions I panic, and I do stupid things. Working with [my psychologist], at these Games one of the things I'm proud of is I didn't have any panics. I was so happy about that - I went out and raced and enjoyed it.
Recorded Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Tokyo Paralympics, The Telegraph, 2 September 2021 source ↗

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