Blog #3 for Module 5 - Reflection - How I Get Out of an Unproductive Mindset
Productivity. A word we have all encountered, especially within the domains of our educational career. I have struggled with being productive in school as early as my freshman year of high school. Time management always appeared to be a struggle and, constantly, I found myself completing projects and assignments at the very last minute. While I never failed any classes or missed an assignment, I knew the way in which I was productive was not as efficient as it should have been. I'd average on four to five hours of sleep at night, I would prioritize insignificant duties over significant ones, and the pile of work I had to do would grow immensely with each passing day. While I still catch myself pushing assignments or tasks off until later, I have helped myself become a more productive student as well as person by following a simple set of guidelines I am happy to be sharing with you all today! Follow these simple steps and I can assure you that you will be a happier, more positive, and more productive person.
HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE
- Get yourself in the frame of mind that you WILL accomplish something.
- Once you've changed your mindset from "off-mode" to "on-mode", create a list of tasks that need to be completed. Order your list in a manner that sets the first goal not only as the most important to be finished, but also the most time consuming.
- Work on a schedule. Push yourself to complete a duty by a certain time. This way, you can establish breaks to eat and, possibly, to run errands if you have errands that also need to be completed. (Ex. From 11 AM - 1 PM: I will write my essay. From 1 PM - 1:45 PM: I will eat lunch and get my brother a birthday present for his birthday this weekend) This example is to represent that productivity lies in all situations. Instead of getting your brother a gift last minute, get it out of the way during your free time or break time so you do not have to worry about it in the future.
- EXECUTE YOUR LIST. You have devised a plan with a timed schedule. Accordingly, you MUST carry out the plan. Get all the items on your list checked off as timely and efficiently as you can.
- Reward yourself. After a long day of non-stop going and working, it's only fair to treat yourself. Wind down. Take a bath. Eat some ice cream. Grab a drink with friends. You deserve it. Everyday after you have completed your to-do list, it will feel amazing knowing how productive you were within the amount of work you accomplished. Surely, this feeling enough will suffice as a reward. However, do something nice for yourself as a way to relax. This time will motivate you for the rest of your days to get sh*t done in the present time so that you are able to appreciate the future time.