Do you have days that just feel so unproductive? There are a lot of people (including myself) working from home right now that aren’t used to it and didn’t know it would happen, making it nearly impossible to mentally prepare. Since quarantine started, I’ve had quite a bit of time to adjust to the circumstances, and some days I absolutely love working from home. I’m incredibly productive, on top of my game and loving not being interrupted.
Other days, finding motivation might be a little tough.
8 life hacks to stop feeling unproductive, get out of bed and make things happen:
1. Stay off your phone right before bed and right after waking up
Keep the negativity of the real world out of your eyesight and mind in these initial moments of the day. Wait to check how many likes you have, there’s no need to see it right away. Instead, use the time to listen to a podcast, music, meditation, or your own thoughts. Read a book, go on a walk, write in a journal. I bought this journal a few months ago that I think is perfect – you can add and remove the pages, and I love the strap that keeps it closed. We brought it out to Colorado for our elopement. The removable sheets were perfect for writing our vows!
2. Update your office area
I added a couple of items to my desk at home to keep me more efficient during the workday and love them so much that I now unplug my work laptop at the end of the day and plug my personal laptop into my adapter so that I can continue using the same setup for personal time. I really recommend the adapter if you have a USB-C port on your laptop – it’s so handy my husband had to get one for himself, too!
This desk mat was another game-changer for my office space. I initially went searching for a regular mouse pad, but then started seeing these mats and knew it would work so much better. My intuition was correct – they’re double-sided and water-proof (most of them), useful as a writing pad, mouse pad, and they’re more aesthetic than a mouse pad in my opinion.
Keep going, you’ve got this!
3. Do the actual work you’re sitting down to do
If you’re working from home, it’s especially relevant to remain focused during the time you’re working. Don’t let yourself wander off to social media or scrolling Reddit threads. Try to stick to a regular work schedule to help you feel like things are more normal, and use your breaks to help get you out of an unproductive mindset.
4. Make time for productive breaks
If you’re focusing on doing the work you’re sitting down to do and not sidetracking, it’s important to have time set aside to relax throughout the day. Over the weekend I got this macrame set from Amazon and am loving learning how to create different pieces. During my breaks, I’ll take a little time to work on a piece. Working on macrame keeps my mind and hands busy, which is perfect for relaxing a bit. Plus, the kit was so affordable I’m making useful items and decor for so much less than purchasing them outright.
5. Get in a workout
Yeah, I know. Being active is hard when you’re feeling unproductive – I don’t always like to do it, either. But the key is to remember how you feel afterward and what you’re working towards. I’m being active for my mental health, so I need to keep this in mind when I just don’t want to move. Getting up and at least going for a walk can boost your dopamine levels a bit and put you in a better mood for getting things done.
6. Change your surroundings
If you work from home and are tired of sitting in the same spot every day, take your laptop and go work from the couch. Maybe try the kitchen table, work outside before it gets too cold, or hit up a nearby coffee shop. Switching up your work environment can help give you the simple refresh you needed to get back to work.
7. Prepare the night before
Try to prepare for the next workday as much as possible. Prep your coffee/tea products, pick out some clothes, clean up your workspace, have healthy snacks and water on deck. I like to get the water ready in my teapot the night before and put the coffee grounds in my pour-over coffee maker so they’re ready to go the next morning. Seriously, I can’t recommend this coffee-maker enough! Both the Keurig and Mr. Coffee stopped being used less than a week after the Bodum arrived because we love it so much. And you don’t have to worry anymore about unseen mold in your coffee maker.
8. Set a schedule for yourself and hold your timeline accountable for the day
Even if you’re only planning one or two things, writing them down, creating a schedule, and getting those things finished will help you get out of your unproductive mindset. Once you’re done, cross it off the list and give yourself time to feel accomplished and relaxed. Making your own routine keeps you in control. Don’t know where to start? Here’s my morning self-care routine!
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