An Academic’s Guide to rebelling against the Capitalist Philosophy of Productivity
• Sleep on schedule, or at least lie in bed on schedule and rest. You can get more work done tomorrow.
• Have meals on time, and even take time to make yourself something special. Nourish yourself properly. There is time to work later, and we do not buy into diet culture in this house.
• Have tea, or water, or fruit juice or whatever your healthy beverage of choice is next to you while you sit down to work.
• Try getting the biggest/most time consuming thing on your list done first.
• If this is too daunting, try getting some small/quick tasks checked off your list and out of the way.
• If you are finding it hard to focus you might need fresh air or exercise.
• If you are still finding it hard to focus, there may be something in your personal life causing a mental block.
• If you are finding it hard to focus because you wish to focus on something else, focus on whatever that something else is for awhile instead.
• If you are physically uncomfortable, maybe you need a better position, or to stretch. Maybe you need to tie your hair back, have a glass of water, have a half dose of pain reliever for any ailments, or perhaps wash your face or even have a full shower and a change of clothes.
• If you are trying to read and you can’t concentrate, take some slow breaths, find something to keep your hands busy, or put gentle instrumental background music on. If this still doesn’t work, stop trying to read for now and go do something else.
• If you are trying to write and you have writer’s block, read, watch, look at or listen to something you enjoy instead.
• If it is nighttime again, do not work late. Eat dinner, connect with friends or family, do something for leisure and go to bed on time.
• Remember that you are not a robot. You are not a machine. You will never work at the same pace or get the same amount done every day. Take care of yourself today. You can always get more work done tomorrow.
P. S. • If you cannot make a deadline despite your best honest efforts, contact whoever you owe work to and advocate for your humanity.