The coronavirus has thrust the world into an unfamiliar balancing act.
This balancing act includes some familiar faces – career, family, and stress.
But the unfamiliar aspect of this current pandemic is that people are being forced to do all three at home, twenty fours hours a day, for weeks (and possibly months) at a time.
This is uncharted waters for a majority of modern humanity.
We live in a world where we get what we want, when we want it.
We complain, pout, bitch, and moan when we can’t have expediency in our daily routines.
NOW! NOW! NOW!
HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!
I CAN’T WAIT ANY LONGER!
The fast pace mantra of the twenty-first century has pushed an entire generation into higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
There are ways, however, to reverse this trend. And it starts with practicing mindfulness. Being mindful and self-aware of your habits, mindsets, and routines will give you a better view of what you are doing, and what you need to improve.
To be productive and not fall into the trap of anxiety, stress, and frustration, I have listed out basic tips that have helped me do that. Take time to consider how you would incorporate these into your daily routines. And remember, we are all wired a bit differently, so what works for me might not work for you. Therefore, it becomes a trial of testing out what works and what doesn’t and then making the proper adjustments.
MAKE A DAILY LIST OF OBTAINABLE GOALS
As you look ahead at your day, having obtainable goals is an easy and highly effective way to make sure you are accomplishing all that you need to do. I have made “daily goals” a part of my life since my later college days. This has become so ingrained in me now that I often do it without even realizing it. Writing out goals that you can physically check off gives you a visual component and keeps you on track throughout the day. With distractions that come with working from home, making a list is an important first step.
Here are some thoughts to consider:
Create a few “gaps” of nothing in your schedule for unexpected occurrences. For example, your kids are fighting, or your significant other requires another set of hands, or you just want to take an impromptu walk outside because the sun is finally out.
Make sure your list is realistic. I used to write down too many items and then try to hurry and cram them in at 10 pm because I wanted to achieve everything on my list. This is not the wisest or most efficient way to do it. Make it realistic, yet challenge yourself to be as productive as possible.
START WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS
Schedule the most critical items on your list first to get them out of the way. If you can’t do this, then schedule solid blocks of time to achieve those most critical items. If you can knock out your most important one or two things within the first few hours of your morning, this will set you up nicely for the rest of the day. You won’t be bogged down, worrying about the critical items you haven’t gotten to yet. It will also limit you from procrastinating and putting off the essential tasks.
USE TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Time management skills must become a focus during this time if you want to stay productive. Taking breaks periodically throughout your day will keep you fresh and feeling balanced. I break down my schedule into an hour and a half blocks where I work straight through then take a short break. This Princeton Article breaks down the principles of time management. There are many ways to manage your time, so try a technique out and see what works best for you.
TAKE “FUN BREAKS” TO DECOMPRESS AND RE-ENERGIZE
You simply will not be productive if you’re anxious, exhausted, or overwhelmed. This is why taking time to decompress is critical. These “fun breaks” can range from taking a walk outside to playing games with your kids. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s an activity you enjoy that also relieves stress. Think of these fun breaks as mini rewards for putting in the hard work and effort. I recommend keeping these breaks shorter (less than 30 minutes) than longer but give yourself enough time to relieve any stress you may be feeling.
A few other “fun break” examples might be:
- Playing video games
- Reading
- Journaling
- Shooting a basketball
- Meditating
- Catching up on a favorite TV show
- Playing board games
- Napping (if you’re overtired)
- Playing a musical instrument
- Catching up with a friend or family member
TURN OFF THE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Browsing social media can and will take up hours of your day. If you want to achieve a higher level of productivity, limit social media, and turn the news off. Schedule a time after you’ve accomplished your most critical tasks to check up on social media and the news. But be careful, because we all know how easy it is to get sucked up by social media for hours upon hours. My best advice is to stay off while you are trying to get your tasks completed. The longer you stay away from the urge to browse your phone or flip through Netflix the higher your productivity levels will be. It’s common sense, yet easier said than done.
MAKE SURE YOUR FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS ARE BEING MET
Functioning at a high level and being productive and efficient means you must meet your basic needs. It all starts with getting the proper amount of sleep. Feeling rested will give you the energy essential to having a productive day, and will also keep you from tailing off in the afternoon. Proper nutrition also plays a role. Not only should you be eating foods that enhance well-being, but staying away from foods that detract from it. Staying active is another way to help with productivity. When you exercise, you release neurotransmitters such as endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The combination of quality sleep, a healthy diet, and steady exercise will increase your chances of being productive in all of your tasks.
IN REVIEW
Being productive during times of stress while balancing multiple areas of your life at home is not easy. You will struggle at times, and you will have your rougher days. That’s perfectly okay, you’re human, and it’s bound to happen. Cut yourself some slack and move on to the next day. Habits take time to form, but once you start the ball rolling, it’s like an avalanche. It’ll keep building momentum until finally, you BECOME the new version of yourself. Give it a try, take care of yourself, and keep it simple.
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