How to be Productive at Home with One Simple Tip

We all live in challenging times that can be traumatizing in many ways. Most of us are spending the majority, if not all, of our time under shelter-in-place orders.

It is likely that you are trying to figure out how to best use your time right now while balancing work, children, and daily home activities. Understand that this is a difficult and somewhat unique season to have extra time on your hands. In addition, this chaos has left us bereft of the everyday stability of school, work, and basic routines.

Do you have a long list of things you want to accomplish during the day but do not have the drive or motivation to get it done? Do you have a hard time sticking to your goals and measuring your success?

The number one tip that has helped me to stay focused and on track is having a routine using my Five and Five method.

Write down 5 things to accomplish in the morning and 5 things to accomplish at night.

This method has worked for me during the stay-at-home orders because of one word: routine. Having a regular morning and night routine makes life feel more stable.

It is important to note that each day’s Five and Five will look different depending on what needs to get done for the day.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the Five and Five method:

1. Write down five things to accomplish in the morning and night.

 You can make the tasks as simple or as challenging as you need it to be, but make sure that it is attainable.

Here is today’s morning list:

1. Run the dishwasher
2. Exercise
3. Water plants
4. Vacuum bedroom
5. Take out chicken from the freezer to defrost in the refrigerator for dinner tomorrow

Last night, I loaded my dishwasher to wash in the morning, so I know that needed to be on the list.

My levels of productivity and energy are highest in the morning, which is why I put exercise on the list. Even if I only have ten minutes to spare to work out, oftentimes it is sufficient to keep me energized throughout the day.

Next, I want you to think about your night routine. What tasks did you do prior to the stay-at-home order to wind down? Maybe it was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner or reading a book with your kids before you tuck them into bed. A nighttime routine lets our body know that it is time to wind down and get ready for a good night’s rest.

Here is today’s night list:

1. Load the dishwasher and clean up the counters
2. Compile a load of laundry ready to be washed the next day
3. Spend ten minutes writing a gratitude journal entry
4. Read a book for 20 minutes
5. Do my nighttime skincare routine

2. Set a timeframe

This method will only work if you act right away. By setting a timeframe, you create a sense of urgency, decreasing your risk of procrastination. Set a clear and concise timeframe attached to your goal.

3. Write your vision and make it plain

Since each day’s list will be different, I write down my Five and Five list before the end of the day. When you write down your list on paper and schedule it, you are more likely to remember and complete it.

The point is not what you do, it is what motivates you. As the saying goes, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time; the trick is to start small. Rome was not built in a day. But daily habits will help you feel productive and create a sense of normalcy.