This virus seems to be taking over us more mentally than physically. The only thing my family talks about lately is the virus. We worry if we have enough food at home for quarantine. We worry about whether our family members will be safe. It’s enough to drive a person mad.
While I would love for this insanity to be over with soon, I know it may be quite a while before everything is back to normal. During this time stuck at home, there’s a lot of potential time now free in our schedules. Today, I’m going to talk about how to use that extra time to be productive at home.
Also, let me know in the comments below what you do to stay productive. What works for you may work for someone else reading this.
I hope you are all safe wherever you are.
Use this time to do things you’ve put off
I’ve got lots of projects I’ve put off because I just didn’t have the time to devote to them. For example, my husband speaks Japanese, but I’ve put off learning because I think it will just take so much time. It will. But, I’ve got the time for that now.
There are so many resources you can use to achieve your goals. You can take online classes, join virtual meetups, or just start acting today.
So, what have you been putting off until now?
Avoid social media
It’s definitely important to read the news and know what’s going on in the world. In the same breath, you can’t let your every waking hour be consumed by fear and speculation. Let me tell you something. That’s all that’s on social media right now.
Shun the negativity. Delete your social media apps or get an app like Forest (not sponsored haha) to keep you off your phone. Keep up with your friends through text, video calls, etc instead of social media.
By getting off social media, not only will you shun the negativity, but you’ll find you have even more time and energy than you did before to do more productive things.
Set a timer
At home, it’s sometimes difficult to keep a schedule. Setting timers helps me stay focused on the task at hand rather than being distracted by the dishes that need done or “Oh, I forgot to water that plant yesterday. Better do it now.” If it’s something you really need to remember to do, write it down and forget about it until after the timer is up.
Create a focused environment
Marie Kondo said, “The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment.”
Don’t let your home get out of hand now that you’re spending so much time there. A clean and organized environment does more for a clean and organized mind than you may think. Of course, don’t spend all your time cleaning (unless your house really needs the works). Maybe focus first on the office or main living area where you’ll spend most of your focused time.
Dress for success
When working from home, no one is going to see you. To me, that usually means pajamas all day. However, I find that when I actually get dressed up even though I know I won’t be leaving the house, my mind shifts. I find myself more eager to act. In pajamas, all I want to do is relax, and then I get nothing done.
Time block your schedule
Without meetings or appointments, I find myself wasting a lot of time needlessly. Mostly, it’s because I’m running from one task to the next, scrambling my brain. I waste time as I switch tasks because my brain has to refocus on a new task. I lose momentum. Time blocking stops the constant refocusing by sticking with similar tasks for a longer period of time. You can keep your momentum and even get into a flow state easier.
To time block, split your day into large chunks (depending on your needs something like two hours or four hours works). Define the theme for each chunk. For example, for my time blocking, the main ones I have are “teach,” “write,” “admin,” and “chill.” I keep my admin chunk during my less productive time of day. If I need further clarification, I’ll make a list of tasks that are allowed during that time chunk.
Get some fresh air
When working at home, you spend a lot of time sitting. A foolproof way to get motivation and energy going again is to exercise. It doesn’t have to be strenuous. Just walking around your neighborhood for 5 minutes is enough. I highly recommend doing this outside rather than on a treadmill.
I hope you find these tips help you stay productive while stuck at home. Let me know below what works for you! Is there anything I’ve missed?
Stay safe wherever you are!
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