On Productivity and Feeling Accomplished
Though we’re all at home, and we have all the time in the world, it’s hard to feel as if we’ve accomplished something, anything. It’s hard to know that we’ve accomplished something, let alone accomplish something in itself. You may have told yourself, “okay, tomorrow, I’m going to wake up at 7, then follow a yoga flow on YouTube, then I’m going to paint a picture, then maybe read a few chapters of this book…” but that plan just peels apart as the day progresses, and maybe after watching a movie or two, it’s dark again.
A Note on Pushing
At times, we find ourselves trying to force productivity; to push motivation. Productivity doesn’t come when it’s forced, nor does motivation come when it’s pushed. How we are and how we feel in our bodies can take ownership of our drive towards them. Words of encouragement are so important, but it’s different from pressuring yourself. Take it one step at a time. We all have varied views on what it means to feel well (physically, emotionally, creatively). But understand that just one simple act or practice of giving back to your needs, your body, your self can make you feel a little more accomplished today.
Wash your face, drink a glass of water, write a to-do list, clean your desktop, lean into getting into bed at 8pm etc.
Structure your day according to how you would normally live — work the hours you normally work, eat when you would normally eat, call a friend when you would normally hang out. There is also a subconscious stress that comes with this kind of upheaval and the constant news cycle, so also take time out every day to do things that are uplifting or make you whole.
A Ritual
I feel like setting a simple act/practice at the beginning of every day — mornings when we are most peril of turning back or lazing about — helps bring our days to their senses. You may call it a routine, habit, practice, or ritual — it should be automatic but decisive patterns of behavior. Whether it is brewing a cup of tea, or practicing yoga — it could even be as simple as getting dressed or chugging a big glass of water. Maybe, writing down your thoughts on paper, or taking ten deep breaths… Whatever it is, these little habitual acts of giving back to yourself is important for a productive day to come. They should come without question or complain: why am I doing this? How does this benefit me? It’s useless, anyway… What makes it a ritual is that we do it without questioning the need. What works for one person is useless for another. Make it easy on yourself. It should make you want to be there, and once you find it, stick with it.
An Environment
All preferred working states, no matter how eccentric, have one thing in common: when you enter into them, they impel you to get started. Whether it’s the act of carrying a mug of coffee to the comforting living room, turning on your favorite songs, revved up to splash color on the canvas in front of you, or the stillness of the outdoors that puts you in a creative trance — each of these acts and environments gives you no choice but to do something. Environments like such should turn on a motivational switch. Motivation for movement; motivation to get started; motivation for creativity.
Listening
Rest when your body tells you to rest; work when your body tells you to work; move when your body tells you to move; create when your body tells you to create. In fact, now is the perfect time to listen to your needs. We have a choice now. Let go of any feelings of guilt for “not being productive.” Reflect on the difference between caring for yourself and loving yourself, because there is a difference. Acknowledge that you’re human. No one’s perfect in every way.
— Solaia