Prepping for Productivity

Do you have a routine that you do in order to be your best productive self?

My preferred preference is to put on a pair of comfy sweats, a big sweater/sweatshirt, and put my hair up in a messy bun. I have done this all the way back to my undergrad days! The best hours for me to be my most productive self is from 10 pm to 2 am

Unfortunately, this isn’t always optimal. If at the office or in a meeting, sweats and a sweatshirt are not usually acceptable. (These days you might be able to do the sweatpants if on a virtual call..) My favorite productivity work hours do not always align with the rest of the world. I am no longer willing to deprive myself of precious sleep by going to bed at 2:30 am and needing to get up by 7:00. Just as once upon a time, I used to down a large Pepsi before I began working....

So, if you know your preferred productivity routine, but life isn’t aligning with it, how can you be productive? Let me share 4 strategy tips:

(1) figure out what part of your preferred productive behaviors you can use. For me, I can always put my hair up! I love my longish hair but dislike it being in my face when I’m concentrating.

(2) break down your project into smaller doable steps. If you find looking at the end result of your project to be overwhelming, then break it down into smaller steps and schedule when you will work on each step. Sometimes looking at the expected end result before you even begin can be anxiety inducing to the point that you never begin. Having the smaller steps will help decrease your anxiety and the project won’t seem larger than life.

(3) use the Pomodoro productivity technique - set your time for 20-30 minutes and work. When the timer goes off, give yourself a 5-10 minute break to stretch your legs, have a one song dance party, go outside and take in a few deep breaths, drink some water. Then set the timer for another 20-30 minutes and repeat. I am always amazed at how much work I get done during that 20-30 minutes and how refreshed I feel after a 5-10 minute break.

(4) spend each day doing some work. If you wait to feel inspired so you can be productive, you could be waiting a really long time. You can’t wish it to make it happen. Even if you don’t have the amount of time needed to do the Pomodoro technique, or you can’t work during your most productive timeframe, it doesn’t mean you cannot be productive that day. Even if you spend 5-15 minutes a day, you will be productive towards your end goal. This will also allow you to train yourself to be consistent. Consistency is the key which assists in productivity - you just need to train yourself to do so.

How do you prep for productivity? I love learning new ways - share below!