Indeed, many changes have occurred with the outbreak of the Coronavirus. One major one would be the mandatory requirement of staying at home to stay safe. But just because you are stuck at home, and most likely a full house does not mean you should become lazy and unproductive- there is still much to do! With that said, here are seven ways you can be productive at home.
- Start a morning routine
Starting a morning routine would ensure that you do not waste most of your day in bed. You don’t need to be up before morning light, but early enough to have a good day and have longer hours to complete the day’s task. Creating a morning routine is to set you up for success from the minute you get out of bed. The way you set up your mornings determines your mood and productivity levels throughout the day, so having a good routine in the mornings helps you start your day the right way. Eat a filling breakfast, read the paper, do some meditation, or do anything that keeps you in a good mood. Try to avoid activities or news that would put you in a foul mood. If you are working from home, creating a morning routine would give you enough time to have a filling breakfast and go through your emails before the working time, and receive appropriate information at the right times.
- Create a schedule
Using a to-do list, or a weekly plan can also help you stay productive while at home. By creating a schedule, you can keep track of activities that you need to complete, and it is also a way of motivating yourself. You will feel so accomplished as you cancel out the completed tasks of the day. A schedule also helps you prioritise your tasks. You would not want to waste time completing tasks that are unimportant and then be too tired to finish the big ones. So, prioritise your tasks from important to least important to manage your time efficiently. Mobile apps like Toggl and RescueTime, help you remember your tasks and keep track of the time you spend completing them.
- Focus on one thing at a time
Focusing on one thing at a time sounds less productive than it is, but this is not true. Although multitasking can keep you productive and help you manage time properly, it is not always the case. Some tasks may need more of your attention than others. For example, you can fold the laundry while you help your children with their homework. However, it would be challenging to do this while you are doing some equally engaging, like doing a work report. To successfully do this, you should single out tasks that won’t be compromised if they don’t have your full attention. Multitaskers usually make the mistake of trying to take on multiple essential tasks, in the hope that this would help them accomplish more and do so quickly. But instead, this would only make your work shabby and full of error. However, multitasking can work if you pick your tasks carefully. As long as you’re putting the required effort into both activities to get them done as best as you can, multitasking can help you complete some of the more straightforward but essential items on your to-do list quickly. By focusing on one thing at a time, you can complete your tasks one time and well.
- Keep your body and mental wellbeing healthy
A healthy mind and body are necessary to be productive. Although the gyms and yoga studios are closed, you can still do your workouts at home. There are a lot of workout routines, including cardio and upper body exercises you can do at home. You can watch educational documentaries, read books, and follow motivational speeches and channels to keep your mind sharp and healthy as well. While at home, binge-eating junk is tempting but try your best to resist the urge. You’ll be putting your physical health at risk, which can also compromise your confidence. Trying to eat healthily instead would prevent you from getting ill, and in effect, you can be more productive.
- Reduce screen time
Technology is a great help, yet at the same time, a great distraction. In the comfort of your home and couch, you would be tempted to binge-watch your favourite shows. So when would you have the time to complete all your set tasks? The same goes for your phones or online activities. Spending time on social media or phone calls can be time-consuming and leave you unproductive. Try to reduce your screen time by leaving your phone on silent or putting it away ultimately. You can also use apps to monitor your screen time and set limits on certain apps at certain times of the day.
- Take breaks
A part of being productive is to take breaks in between tasks, especially when you need it. You can take a nap to rest, which would help you become even more productive because you can’t work if you are tired. You can use the Pomodoro Technique to ease your mental fatigue as well. The point of this technique is to take a 5-minute break after 25-30 minutes of work done. Using this technique prevents you from still working even when you are too tired.
- Reward yourself
When you have completed tasks for the day, you should take some time off to reflect and reward yourself. Take time to celebrate the work you have accomplished in the day. Celebrating and creating a reward system is an excellent form of motivation to be even more productive the next time. Also, reflecting on the day helps you work out what you did right and what you need to do better in the future.
So, as you can see, you can still get your tasks done and be productive during this period of being at home. You can follow these seven ways to stay productive so you can get things done.