Stay organised and motivated for work during the pandemic

While there isn’t a secret potion to conquer one’s weaker self, there might be a few tips to keep in mind in order to stay organised and motivated all throughout the day… even when working from home.

Let’s get into it, shall we?

DO write a daily to-do list by hand. Studies have shown that people who write to-do lists are less stressed on an everyday basis and generally perform better. The reason for that being that the simple act of writing down everything that needs to be done helps you to visualise the tasks, giving you the impression of being organised and, once the tasks are ticked off, a feeling of achievement which - let’s face it - we’ve probably never needed more than over the past year.

DON’T write lists that no human being could realistically tick off in a single day. We’ve all been there: you start writing a to-do list for the day and end up jotting down everything you’ve been putting off for a whole while, leaving you with a program that no human being could ever complete in 24 hours. Instead, try writing down two or three main things you need (or want) to get done that day. Once you’ve finished those, you can gradually add some less time-consuming tasks.

DO put together a morning routine for yourself. Get up at the same time every morning, work out, have some breakfast, listen to a podcast or your favourite jam of the moment. Whatever feels right for you. It’s just important for it to become a healthy habit that’s compatible with your lifestyle and puts you in a good mood from the moment you wake up. The same goes for the evening. It’s important to take some time to unwind, go to bed at a socially acceptable time and get your 8 hours of sleep in order to stay productive throughout the next day.

DON’T use your phone for the first half-hour of the day. Get yourself an old school alarm clock and put your phone on flight mode, far away from your bed. That’ll make it easier to get out of bed on time rather than wasting time scrolling or snoozing past your wake-up call.

DO work out regularly, whether that be early in the morning or in the evening. No matter if it’s a quick HIIT workout, a little yoga session or a full-blown cardio training. Working out on a regular basis has a lot of benefits, as you surely know, but especially in times where we’re either stuck at home or sitting around an office with FFP2 masks cutting into the back of our ears, working out will not only be physically beneficial but it’ll also help you to blow off some steam, making it easier to get back into the work zone.

DON’T sit on the couch or in your bed while in home office. As tempting as it might be, don't cease the urge of making yourself too comfortable. Staying at your desk (or a place that you associate with work) will help your mind to focus on what needs to be done rather than switch to a relaxing mode.

DO keep your designated working space clean and tidy. Hoarding empty coffee cups from the day and things that have nothing to do with your work will only distract you from what you’re actually supposed to do. So just put up your to-list somewhere in eyesight and keep everything you need to work in your reach - the rest can be dealt with past office hours.

DO give yourself regular breaks, whether that be a day of laying around on the weekend, a walk around the park or whatever it is your little heart desires. Make sure you give yourself enough ‘Me-Time’ to keep your mind in a happy place.

DON’T stay in your pyjamas or jogging pants once your workday starts. As tempting as it might be, it’s important to get dressed and ready as per usual, no matter if you’re staying at home or going to a half-empty office. Getting dressed in your typical work attire will give you a feeling of being put together and serve as a visual reminder of what you're supposed to do.

DO have a healthy lunch. I know it can be hard to resist pizza and co, but eating something light and full of nutrients will leave you feeling empowered rather than in dire need of a nap, which is exactly what you want when trying to stay productive all throughout the day.

And last, but definitely not least, DON’T put too much pressure on yourself. We’re still in the midst of a crisis and it’s ok to feel unproductive or unmotivated from time to time. Just make sure to not fall into the self-pity hole which, as you probably know, is very easy to do and even harder to get out of.