I don't know about you, but at the end of the year I always seem to have let myself fall out of my schedule and I will have a million loose threads and things to do. This year is definitely no exception, and being done school, not having started my job (yet), and the last year (really 2 years) being what it was, it's probably worse that normal.
At this point, I have basically perfected a "getting back on track" method. (that probably says more about me than I would like it to.) So, here is the process I go through to get back to a place where productivity is even possible.
I'm writing this as I do it myself, so I'll be posting updates as I work through it. This is probably going to be the longest part, you'll see why.
Let me know if you use this method, even if its just part of it. I'd love to hear about it!
1. Master to-do list
Gather any scraps of paper, backs of receipts, phone notes, emails to yourself, etc that you have placed tasks and other things you need to do. Or maybe, you're like me and just had an endless list swimming in your head. Either way gather all the to-do's up and put them on one sheet of paper (or one electronic note). This can be a little overwhelming if you do it in the middle of a school semester, so I recommend to do it on a break or put school matters on a separate page from everything else.
When I say list everything, I mean everything. I put an upcoming trip, laundry, a shopping trip I need to make, and painting my walls (which I won't be doing for a while yet). If it is something that occupies your time or brain space, write it down. (I actually ended up adding more after the above picture was taken.)
2. Main goals
Try to keep it to a smallish number, something like 5 or less. I just did this on the same page as my list. Keep them pretty simple and attainable. I chose read more, better diet, exercise, and maintain a schedule.
I specifically do short and medium term here, as I will be using them to prioritize and schedule tasks and events. I recommend taking any long term goals and breaking them down into shorter term goals. (While aiming for graduating is, of course, good, at this point its more useful to focus on passing this semester with the grades you want.)
I also believe it is important to have goals for both work/school and life. I didn't include my work goals in this particular list. Goal development is something I can go more into later. For now we just need some short/medium ones to build around.
3. Sort your Master List from step 1
This is by far the longest section as we are now actually doing something to make this list manageable. Handle each category of item (colored orange below) separately, and when you sort an item cross it off from the master list. Do which ever category first that calls to you.
I used notion for lists and google calendar for dates. You can use paper or whatever you want. I have a later post planned to talk about this specific topic (planners, etc).
A. Items that take 5 minutes or less to complete
If it is feasible to do it right now, do it. Move the thing, take the stuff to your bedroom. Whatever the small task is, do it. (And while you're up, grab yourself some water)
For anything you can't do right now, put those items on a special 5-min-or-less todo list. Later when we schedule, we will build in time to clear that list. The goal is to not add to it by doing those 5-minute-or-less tasks immediately when they come up in the future. Not always possible, but we can try.
B. Items associated with a date that you DONT need to prepare more than a week in advance for (ie, events you just need to show up to, assignments you can do the day before, etc)
Throw it in the calendar (set a remind if your using an electronic calendar) and move on with your life.
C. Items associated with a date that you DO need to prepare more than a week for (ie assignments that take longer than a couple of hours to complete or have multiple parts)
Treat the actual due date similar to items in B, but we aren't done yet. Break down each item into steps to get the thing done and give personal deadlines. I then treat each of those steps as their own event/task (B or D) depending on what worked best for my work flow and that task or event.
For example, if I had a paper due, I could break that down into outline/brainstorming/research, draft, and final. Then I would assign the first bit a month out from the due date, the draft two weeks out, and then I would have those two weeks to clean up the paper and turn it in.
This is probably the longest part. I also believe it is the one that sets you up for the best success later.
D. Everything else, ie tasks that need to get done but don't have due dates.
For these items, I swear by the Eisenhower Matrix. If you don't know what that is, it sorts your todo list on a four quadrant system with importance on one axis and urgency on the other.
Group 1: important and urgent. Anything that needs to get done soon and is important to have completed. For example, I need to renew a training certificate for work. This is important and my start date for work is approaching so its urgent.
Group 2: important but not urgent. As above, but you have some time to get it done. Something like packing for a trip that is a week from now.
Group 3: not important but is urgent. Stuff like responding to emails or doing meal prep may fall here. The earlier these are done the better, but they aren't a priority.
Group 4: not important or urgent. Items that you'd like to get done, but may end up sitting on your list awhile. Reorganizing my computer files would belong here.
Here is my Eisenhower Matrix To-do list in Notion. My group 4 is a bit cut off, but I tend to have a big list in that section. My less-than-5-min-list is right below this.
Next I'll talk about where to actually put this information now that its sorted- planners, agendas, and organizers!(oh, my)
If you have a topic you'd like me to discuss, please let me know!
But, it's okay to grieve the time you spent surviving. The time spent trying to figure out what was wrong. The time spent healing to become a person again.
Its a little ironic that I made a post about getting my life together, then my life fell apart and I dipped for months... haha
So. I got a job which has been such a time and energy drain. I'm finally getting use to it though. If you're going through this too, you definitely not alone. Living with an inconsistent work schedule has been the hardest for me.
Right now, I'm trying to just bring intentionality back into my life. I stopped being proactive and reverted to being reactive, so before I can get back into being productive I need to create space for that by being proactive again.
I made a list of things I enjoy doing and want to do. This is separate from the need-to-do list. Now, when I'm off work, instead of veg-ing out in front of the tv all the time (now just occasionally), I turn to the list of activities. Its easy to forget things you like doing when you barely have energy to string words together.
So that is where we are at right now. In a little time, I will return to productivity and growth. Thanks to all who have liked my previous post and followed; I really appreciate it.
* Culinary lavender is lavender harvested for the purposes of cooking/eating. Please don’t buy the perfumed air-freshening kind because that is going to be utterly gross. Steep the lavender in 2 cups of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the lavender. Place the lavender tea and the sugar in a small saucepan and set over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves (you don’t have to put it over heat, but I do this because I’m impatient and want the sugar to dissolve faster and completely). Remove from heat and let cool to warm. Stir in the lemon juice. Stir in the cold water. Add more to taste. I prefer to keep mine on the concentrated side because I like to mix it with seltzer water when I serve it. Serve over ice. Makes about 6-8 cups depending on how dilute you want it.
Ways to get into flow state are to either always study in the same place you only study in, or go to new locations. Its a great excuse to try new coffee shops!
Tricks for Perceivers: ORGANISATION AND TIME MANAGEMENT
The basis of the first part of this post is that perceivers are most content when they can do stuff whenever they feel like doing them. The idea is therefore to trick your mind into thinking you feel like doing it instead of it being forced. Here’s how you can do that:
1. Change the To Do title to Would Like To Do/Could Do/May Do or something along those lines, whatever you heart desires
Though this doesn’t particularly work for me it could for you so I threw it in there. It’s pretty self explanatory - it helps you perceive the tasks as if they’re desired instead of demanded.
2. Switch location (and keep switching it)
As long at the place you’re doing the task at is giving you that feeling of novelty that makes you a little bit excited, that’s great. Once it gets too familiar, however, switch it. It doesn’t have to be a drastic change, it just has to be a different place - e.g. a different room, a different table at a library, the opposite side of the table that gives you a slightly different view, different cafe… I wouldn’t change the location until it feels too familiar though because this nevertheless is about keeping the interest higher while still primarily focusing on the task.
3. Work when you otherwise wouldn’t
I sometimes wake up at 5 am to study for an hour and a half before I head to school. This is not because I’d enjoy waking up early since I generally love staying up pretty late but because if you decide to do something at a time that’s unusual for you, you’ll probably feel ahead of the game and as if you have your life put together. It’s literally just about putting yourself in the mood for being productive.
4. Play pretend
Actually getting ready, dressing into professional clothes or something cozy yet still put together and everything that goes along with that doesn’t only make you appear like you’re a productive and organised individual, it also makes you feel that way which will likely boost your motivation.
However, you’re still a perceiver, so… How to not go crazy:
5. Schedule the “no schedule” time
Make it long enough so it actually feels like you have some time without any limitations regarding what to do and when to do it. This is especially important when you have hectic schedules. It may seem inconvenient and as if you’re wasting your time if you do that during the hectic week but if you keep following insane schedules for too long you’ll eventually burn out and end up throwing away even more time. Make it possible so that one afternoon or whichever long enough part of the day in the midst of all the crazy days you’ll have nothing scheduled.
6. Don’t plan, visualiseÂ
Visualising allows you to imagine how you could spend your time in the future. This doesn’t put on the pressure to follow a strict schedule but it still makes you loosely determine what should be done the next day and when approximately. For me writing down a To Do list can be somewhat cool as long as I make it visually appealing but following it is a huge motivation drainer. So if I know that there are things that have to be done that already demand much attention and focus (e.g. studying), I avoid writing anything down, I stick to just having a loose schedule in my head.
7. The general rule
When there are things scheduled for you, do not overschedule in the free time that’s left for you. When there’s little to nothing scheduled for you, schedule stuff for yourself to stay productive but only make 1 or 2 things per day strict. And not long. Add other stuff on the go.
8. Understand when you can work for a short time and when you just have to keep going to finish whatever you have to doÂ
Generally perceivers handle quicker and shorter tasks much easierly than the lengthy ones but sometimes you cannot avoid the long study sessions unless you planned ahead to avoid studying one day before the exam… but that’s less likely I’d say. Some people suggest to take breaks but beware of falling into a void of distractions and end up searching up for like an hour (or more) some random things that suddenly become so interesting. Once you stop doing the boring task and allow yourself to do something more fun you have to trick yourself into following a schedule all over again and that’s a pain. If I know I have a very focus-oriented busy day ahead of me I’ll prepare mentally the day before and just try to make the best of it, avoiding the breaks as much as possible.
Masterpost Monday: Studying With a Lack of Motivation/Inititation
One of the hardest thing I’ve encountered is trying to study when you lack motivation or initiation. Whether it be due to a mental illness or simply procrastination, it can be very difficult to do what you need to do. Here are some tips for buckling down and getting things done. These are also helpful tips for things that aren’t even related to studying.
Be kind: lacking motivation or initiation does not mean you’re lazy or not trying hard enough. If it’s due to a mental illness, remind yourself that that is what it is and it is not your fault. Talk to yourself in a compassionate, encouraging, and helpful way. Don’t beat yourself up, think positively and focus on how you can improve your current situation.
Tell yourself why: remind yourself why you need to study, finish that project, etc. What are the reasons this assignment matters? How will  you benefit from starting or finishing this assignment? How will other people benefit? Reminding yourself of the importance of something will make starting or finishing the assignment easier and more rewarding.
Start with the easiest:Â start with the easiest assignment first. This will provide a kind of snowball effect and make it easier to work. The sense of accomplishment from finishing one assignment will make starting the next more manageable. Sometimes when you think of the mountain of work you have to do it can be overwhelming. Start with the easiest assignment and go from there.
Make it smaller: break assignments into really small bite-size pieces. This goes along with the previous tip; if you have a big assignment, start by breaking it down into really tiny pieces.Think of one assignment you have to complete. What is the first step? Can you make that first step even smaller? Keep making it smaller until you are absolutely certain you can do it.
Just 5 minutes: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, etc. tell yourself you only have to study or work for 5 minutes. Do the assignment for 5 minutes and then you can quit if you still aren’t feeling it. Sometimes it just takes getting started to motivate yourself to finish.
Take breaks: break assignments into small, doable steps, and take frequent short breaks. This will help you stay focused and help fight becoming mentally tired. The pomodoro method is great for this. It’s much easier to finish an assignment if you have little breaks to look forward to.
Don’t wait to feel it: don’t wait to do an assignment until you feel motivated. Do it anyway; once you get started you may begin feeling motivated.
Give yourself credit: give yourself credit for the time and effort you do put in. It is easy to call yourself lazy, especially if your low motivation is caused by a mental illness, but you are actually working harder than you would if you were feeling motivated. Remember: it doesn’t matter how big the assignment was. It doesn’t matter how much you accomplished. It doesn’t matter how it turned out. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. It doesn’t matter what other people think about it. If you put in any time or effort, give yourself credit.
Go outside: going outside for even 5 minutes can boost your mood and energy. It doesn’t take much to get the benefit. It works even better if you can be near trees or water!
Chunk the day: break up the day into small parts. Decide on the littlest amount of time you can spend on an assignment. It can be as big or small as you want. This is your “chunk” of manageable time. Decide what you will do with that chunk of time, and tell yourself “I only have to keep going for this chunk, then I can stop if I want to.” After the chunk ends you can rest, keep going, or do something else for the next chunk. Chunk your way through the whole day and you will be more productive and feel better!
Budget your energy: ask yourself how much energy you have “available” today. Don’t push yourself beyond your capacity because you will just get burned out and wind up in the same position you’re in now, instead only do what is reasonable for the amount of energy you have. No matter how little energy you have, always save some time for self-care: exercise, grooming, hobbies, relaxation, etc. Reduce negative thoughts and replace them with happy thoughts to boost energy and motivation! Repeat and persist: it is much better to do one small thing many times, than do one big thing once. Reward/congratulate yourself for every bit of effort no matter how small. Your brain will respond very well to this and you will have more energy, well-being, and self-confidence!
Build a routine: try to create a routine where you do similar assignments at the same time almost everyday. Having a routine makes it easier to get up and do the work automatically instead of relying on motivation/initiation.
Study groups: if you get word of a study group sign up! The best kinds are the ones that have a schedule that you are expected to be at, this makes it easier to get going. If you don’t know of any study groups, grab some friends and start one! Designate a time, place, and frequency to meet and make sure people stick to it!
Use a planner, calendar, to do list, etc: utilize these to make lists, establish a routine, and set goals. Having your assignments physically written down will help you stay focused on one task and actually crossing it off a to-do list will make it easier to begin a new assignment.
Post your goals: remind yourself why you’re studying. Put up signs, pictures, notes, etc. in your study space to keep your goals in sight. Whether they be long-term or short-term, reminding yourself of what you hope to achieve will help motivate yourself into studying so you can get your dream job or whatever your goal may be!
Get cheerleaders: sometimes getting started on an assignment by yourself can be too much. Try talking to trusted friends, family, teachers, etc. about your goals and how you’re struggling with finding motivation (you don’t need to be too specific on that last part!). It’s okay to ask for help. Support could be something as simple as a “you can do this!” text or phone call, a nice hug, or even just having someone sit in the same room while you do your work. Tackling big assignments alone can be daunting but developing a support system can make a world of difference!
Team up: try grouping up with other students in your classes or that have similar assignments. Even if you aren’t working on the same assignment just having someone working beside you can be all the motivation you need. Study groups are great for this! Surrounding yourself with others who are working hard will help inspire you to focus and get it done, other students also make for great resources! You never know who may have taken that class already and can offer a word of advice.
Just do it: use self-talk to get yourself started studying and to keep yourself going. Try writing down one of these phrases to display in your study area: “I am choosing to get started” “Just do it!” “Put one foot in front of the other” “I think I can, I think I can” “One step at a time” “It doesn’t have to be perfect” “Good enough is good enough” “I am focusing on starting, not on finishing” “It doesn’t matter how I feel now; I will get started and I may feel better later” “Start small” “What’s the smallest thing I can do right now? Do it!” or think of one of your own!
Lots of people keep journals with systematic diary entries, but I understand that it doesn’t work for everyone.
Here are some cool/interesting/fun/motivational/productive things you can do that don’t necessarily include keeping a diary:
Turn a Moleskine (or other notebook) into a planner/organizer/PDA/productivity system
52 lists
30 Days of Lists
Answer “50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind”
Start a gratitude journal
Create a “life handbook”
Keep morning pages
Start a scrapbook
Use journal prompts to answer questions when you feel like it
Participate in the 7-week Life Cleanse
Keep these 9 lists updated — REALLY useful things to keep track of!
Take notes as you learn something new
Use a notebook to keep track of goal-setting and productivity:Â 60 Ways to Improve Your Life in 100 Days
Keep a recipe book
Keep a reading journal/movie journal/music journal/fashion journal
Start a quote book
Make a travel journal — use it to plan your trip/vacation, then glue in transportation ticket stubs, itineraries, maps, photographs, dinner receipts at fancy restaurants, and write about your adventures
Doodle in it
Write poetry
Cut out and glue pretty pictures
Create a bucket list journal and record each item as you complete it
why does calling strangers stress me out so much to the point where i have to write out scripts for myself. oh no, i'm going to get a bad grade in phone call?
11.29.21 | going through my backlogs today (aka long topics in patho and pharma) 🤧 I don’t want to put too much pressure this week that I’d feel out of it next week so I’m taking it one by one. so far
monday: patho, pharma 4
tuesday: preventive medicine, CD, pharma 2, surgery
wednesday: pharma 3, pedia IMCI
hoping I stick with my schedule so everything will go smoothly and I’ll cover everything and still be able to do life and self-care stuff 🥰
Productivity first @rheynir - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
