Here are 5 ways that have helped me to be productive and get stuff done throughout my day while maintaining my energy and motivation. These tips are especially helpful when you find yourself sitting at a desk or in front of a computer for much of the day.
I’m not going to ignore the fact that everybody has a lot on their plate and that most days require a lot of energy, concentration, and productivity. Everybody’s day/week looks different, yet we all have tasks that need to be checked off the list.
For me right now, the two things that consume most of my day are school and work. Both involve sitting and staring at a computer for hours on end. This combination resulted in an extreme lack of energy and motivation. I found when both of these were lacking, my productivity also tanked.
I knew I had to switch up my routine and develop some new habits to hopefully spur the productivity and motivation I longed for. After making some minor modifications throughout my day (and week!), I am happy to say that I not only have regained my energy but I have been so much more productive!
Below are 5 tips that have personally helped me be more productive throughout my day!
A Daily To-Do List
I will admit that this is not a new habit for me, but it is too vital not to mention! I have my trusty bullet journal that I depend upon daily to keep me on track with tasks. I cannot stress enough the value of having a planner/to-do list! Not only am I able to see my to-do list for the month, but everyday I know exactly what I need to do. Not to mention, checking off each task is very rewarding and motivating in it of itself.
Click HERE for how I use my bullet journal to plan my days/weeks!
Take a Break
Most days, I generally have two sections to my day that require a majority of my brain energy. School being the first and then work. I split these two tasks into the different blocks of time during the day. On a typical day, I will do school in the morning and then work in the afternoon. When I first started this routine, I would finish school and then start directly into computer work for Stitchberry.
This was incredibly unhealthy for me both physically and mentally. By the time I am done with school I have already been sitting for several hours with little breaks to stand and stretch. Additionally, I am mentally drained from the general brain energy that school requires. This resulted in my lack of concentration and motivation for doing work for Stitchberry.
I transitioned to having a 1-2 hour break between these two majors parts of my day. During this time, I limit the time I spend in front of a screen by doing other things like reading, watering my plants, and doing laundry. I even take this time to relax by crocheting! This break in my day has been incredibly beneficial and it has allowed me to do more with Stitchberry and be more excited about my work!
Change Location
I do all of my school work in one room of my house and once I am ready to start on Stitchberry work, I transition to another room of the house. This gives me a change of scenery that is always so refreshing and it allows me to reset and check more things off my list!
While a change of location could be as simple as moving to a different room (or going outside!), another great way to change location is going to a coffee shop or café. Coffee shops are my absolute favorite place to work. The aesthetic and change of scenery is always so inspiring for me and I find my peak productivity in these environments.
Listen to a Good Playlist
In my opinion, a good playlist is a must for maximum productivity! The right music quite literally gets me in the zone and it allows me to clear my thoughts and stay focused on my work. When I am doing school, I listen to ambiance, instrumental music on Youtube (Some of my favorites include THIS one and THIS one)
But when I transition to Stitchberry work I switch to listening to music on Spotify. Everybody’s music preference is different, so listen to music that will help you concentrate! But some of my favorite music to listen to is Folklore (Long Pond version) and this coffee shop playlist is really good too!
Treat Yourself!
Afternoon slumps are real! They really dry up any energy and productivity that I have left. Whenever you reach your slump in the day, that’s when it is super important to treat yourself with something to refocus your energy! For me it is (of course!) iced coffee. I allow myself a second cup of iced coffee (yes you read that right) in the afternoon to power through the afternoon of work.
By the afternoon, you have worked so hard that you deserve a little treat! Only you know yourself best, so treat yourself with something that will rejuvenate yourself. Some other ways to treat yourself include:
- A snack
- A walk
- A nap
- A quick clean of your space
I hope you find some helpful tips in this blog post that will help you be more productive throughout your day! If you use any of these tips, please be sure to tag me on Instagram!
xo, Grace
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