How to be More Productive

Here it is, the age-old question of "how to be more productive". On any given day during the school year, you can find me sitting in the library, looking around and thinking, "how the f*ck are they all so focused??" When I am feeling productive, I get an insane amount of stuff done. But when I'm not, I can stare at the same paragraph for an hour and not read a single word. So what's the trick? Is it possible to get into that productive headspace by choice? The answer is yes- so let's start discussing the how.

Alright, so whether you need to clean out your closet or write an essay, here are some of my top tips.

1. Get into alignment

If you've never heard this phrase before I am going to give you my definition. Getting into alignment is feeling positive and content in the present moment, allowing you to focus your energy to all the right places. If you take a look back at the times you got the most work done you'll notice a common denominator. You were in a good mood. The trick is to first take the time to do things that will boost your mood and then start ticking those must-do items off your to-do list. The things that put me into alignment are super simple and don't take much time. I like to sit in bed and drink coffee, go on a hike, take a shower (and take the time to enjoy the shower), eat a good breakfast and even just sit in the sun. It might feel unnatural at first to take an hour or two to yourself when you could be getting shit done, but trust me, it works. Instead of staring at a blank document for five hours and not accomplishing anything, you can work on the essay while being in alignment and finish it in three.

*Here is a podcast episode by the wonderful Jess Lively, one of my favorite podcasters, all about getting into alignment.

2. Clear your head

Having too many thoughts in your head is one of the main culprits in distracting yourself from what truly needs to get done. You can get past this by pulling up a Word document with no plan in mind, and just start typing. This is called a stream of consciousness. Write down every. single. thought. that pops into your head. There is no particular order or formula you need to follow, don't think about spelling or grammar, or anything other than clearing out everything jumbled up in there. I find that by the end I usually have an answer to the question/problem that was keeping my mind busy. Regardless, you will feel a weight off your shoulders and can now focus on what really needs to be done, instead of the little nagging thoughts.

*Here is a link to a video by Aileen, or Lavendaire on Youtube, that dives into what a stream of consciousness is. This is where I originally heard the term, so thank you, Aileen!

3. Make a to-do list

You really thought I could get through a whole post without mentioning a to-do list? Not a chance. The to-do list is my best friend (apologies to my bff whom I know is reading this). At the beginning of a busy day, sit down with a pen and paper and start listing away. Write down everything that needs done from paying rent to reading that chapter for class to painting your nails. In my opinion, the smaller the task the better. Why's that? Because it feels so good to check an item off the list, and it makes each task seem way less menacing.

Those are just a few of my tips. Here is a list of smaller, but still relevant, tips that are way more talked about, but for good reason.

• Wake up naturally, and by naturally I mean no alarm (I know, this is crazy).

• Eat good, fulfilling meals.

• Move your body, whether it is a 5 mile run or a 5 minute yoga flow.

• Turn off your phone.

• Drink more water.

Hmmm looking at that list makes me think those may just be good words to live, but regardless you should do them. Especially the drink more water part.

Now for the fun part- here's a to-do list for you so you can start applying these to your life today.

THE TO DO LIST

1. Do a stream of consciousness. The first step to sorting out the thoughts in your head into action items, is to figure out what is actually in your head.

2. Write a to-do list of items to complete today. Then take a step back, do something that makes you happy, and come back to the list to start tackling the tasks.

3. Give me your advice. I don't know everything, and I'm searching for ways to be better every day. Let me know your top tip!