As we remain in quarantine (experiencing social distance), we seek to adjust to the new normal of being at home. With all this new “free time”, it really seems like an appropriate time to occupy our days with things that, under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t have time for. However, be careful, all your ideas and wishes can make your daily life more tiring and exhaust you in a short time.
“Surrender to the care of learning how to take care of yourself”
Think that it is easy to separate your work life from home life when they happen in different places. But, finding and maintaining a balance between these two worlds happening in the same place can be difficult. With the outbreak of COVID-19, many of us are working from home – which means that the line between work and home has become more blurred. A healthy work-life balance is important to deal with any stress or anxiety you may have.
Be honest with yourself
It is important to recognize the impacts that the current situation is causing, so that you can face it directly. Instead of trying to “be strong” or “be normal”, be yourself and accept that everyone is in a moment of struggle, in different ways.
When you are honest with yourself about your fears and anxiety, you can set goals based on what you can do now, not what you should be able to do. Consider creating your own list of how stress is affecting you and use it to plan how you will adjust your work habits in response to your specific struggles.
For example, if you are having trouble writing because news updates distract you, you can schedule twice a day to read the news and avoid news websites outside of these dedicated hours.
If you are having trouble performing multiple tasks at the same time, stop and analyze the level of importance and urgency of each one to list which one you will do first. You can even write your tasks on post-its and put them on your workspace, to remember that productivity is a matter of strategy, not willpower.
“Productivity is a matter of strategy, not willpower”
Allow yourself to make mistakes
Even though accuracy is crucial, perfection cannot be an expectation. Mistakes do happen and shouldn’t be something you stick to. Instead, you should take these situations and turn them into lessons.
Be willing to talk
Don’t be afraid to get in touch with someone when you are having difficulties, needing support or just a conversation. Try to stay connected with the people in your life and, if necessary, create new habits to communicate. Remember: productivity is a collaborative effort in your community! Your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
Be kind to yourself
It’s easy to get stuck in everything we can’t do right now, but that guilt doesn’t make us more productive. Instead, accept that you are doing the best you can under unusual and stressful conditions and celebrate the things you are able to do, even though they may seem like small accomplishments in ordinary circumstances.
Here are some ways you can be kind to yourself:
Adjust your expectations (to suit the current situation)
Set manageable goals for your work and allow yourself extra time while doing it to deal with stress, anxiety or distractions. Create a specific work schedule, but adjust as needed. Something that would normally take two hours can take four or more, plan this! Simply working harder does not increase your productivity. Identify and accept your current limitations so that you can get things done while still taking care of yourself.
Take breaks
Take regular breaks from work to refresh yourself and recharge. Leisure and relaxation are crucial to maintaining productivity. For longer periods, schedule short exercises to stay motivated and engaged. Plan small rewards around specific accomplishments to show appreciation for your own work. Give yourself a share of relaxation every day.
Leave the house (in moderation)
It’s okay to be afraid and it’s okay to be fighting now. None of us should panic, but we should all find a time and place to share some of our stress and fears with someone else. Get in touch with friends and family when you need some comfort. If you are going to “get out of the house” at some point in the day, get away from your work and allow yourself time to process those feelings.
So, how do we balance productivity with self-care? Well, there is no recipe for a perfect balance. Everyone will be a little less productive for a while – and that’s okay. What matters is to continue taking care of you and those around you.
Want to know more about how to organize your tasks to definitely get them done? In this article about priority management, you can see more about how to define importance and urgency in your day to day!
