Its quarantine and we are all bored out of our minds. Midnight has become the new morning and 4 am the new sleep time. I don’t know about you’ll but this was fun initially but the past month I started feeling very unproductive. I’m in my final year and my exams got cancelled due to COVID-19 hence I had nothing to do. I finally decided things needed to change.
For those working from home, I know the workload is a lot more and it’s more tiring now with the amount of work. Work is work and it needs to be done even if you want to lay in bed all day.
Every person is different and everyone has a different work ethic and style. So try various things and see what works for you.
Here are a few ways to procrastinate less and help you concentrate,
Set your mind
If you want to change you must make up your mind. Half-hearted decisions won’t give you the push you need. When you set your mind to something you can achieve it.
Once you have made up your mind only then will you be able to achieve your day to day to-do list.
Plan your day events the night before
It can be boring to plan the next day’s events the night prior and you may think “I know what I need to do so I’ll just wing it.” Trust me on this one, you won’t do anything if you don’t have your day planned. Having it down on paper or your phone gives it a finality that this must be done and you can cross it out when you have completed it which will make you feel more accomplished.
Avoid cramping your ‘to-do-list’
Don’t fall for planning fallacy which is our tendency to believe we can get more done during a given period or that a certain task will take less time than it does. Having too many things on your to-do list may make you more lethargic. Even when you have finished a few tasks all you will see are the ones that are pending. This may work for a day or two, but you will eventually get tired and revert to your old habits.
Have a list of important things first and get them done then move to the lighter tasks. Prioritize what needs to be done first.
Take a few breaks
It is so important to take breaks throughout the day. Take one or two good long breaks or small short breaks at intervals throughout the day depending on what is more effective for you.
Even if you have a packed schedule try and make some free time so you don’t burn out. If you think that you don’t need a break and you need to keep yourself busy then have a leisure activity you can do in your free time.
Also, get a good night’s sleep. If you don’t you’re likely to feel tired the next day and all you will want to do is sleep.
Focus on one task at a time
If you ponder on the tasks pending it may be hard to even complete the one you are currently doing. It may take twice the time to complete it if you overthink about the pending workload. One day at a time, one task at a time.
Listen to music that helps you get in the groove
Music not only entertains you but connecting music to certain memories can also stimulate positive responses. When you listen to calm music it calms us down, and when we listen to upbeat music when working out it helps you feel more energized and ready for a workout. The music you listen to completely depends on you and the work you have ahead.
These aren’t written in stone so you can change them up and match it with what suits you best and what helps you get through the day better. At the end of the day, you should feel accomplished and get sufficient rest without worry about the pending projects and assignments.
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