Hello from Day 10 of self-quarantine. I was exposed to coronavirus and am very lucky and grateful to be healthy. I am less grateful to be stuck at home. I miss working side by side with my team and clients and the sense of accomplishment we enjoy from seeing the tangible results of our efforts.
There are several worthwhile operational projects that I’m hoping to tackle during this break from being able to offer on-site services. But being productive at home, with its many distractions (including terrifying news of the virus), is especially challenging when we are unsure of how long we have to get things done.
You might have heard of Parkinson’s Law:
Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.
This was the first sentence of an essay published in The Economist in 1955, but it’s certainly been true for a lot longer than that!
I am among the many people who find it challenging to get motivated and stay focused without deadlines and timeframes. I work best under pressure. And how long will we be sheltering in place? Nobody knows. We must get creative to overcome Parkinson’s Law.
Here are a few things I am doing to improve my chances of success:
- Keeping it realistic by focusing on one non-negotiable thing I am going to accomplish each day;
- Keeping myself accountable by telling someone my task in the morning, and having them follow up with me in the evening to check that I did it;
- Keeping to a daily routine (consistent wake-up, mealtimes, and bedtime);
- Keeping track of my progress on a wall chart; and
- Keeping “treats” like TV and sweets as rewards for getting things done.
Creating a conducive workspace is also important. Consider what tools/materials you need as well as your level of physical comfort (chair, lighting, height of the work surface) and the volume of distractions. There isn’t a right or wrong spot. I’ve been preferring working at my kitchen counter instead of my desk. Plenty of my clients work at their dining room tables. Go with what feels best as long as it respects the needs of others in your household.
Is clutter getting in the way of your productivity? Start with clearing your immediate desktop or horizontal work surface of everything except the essentials. The project of organizing the remaining items – sorting like with like, discarding what you no longer want or need, and assigning homes for what you’ll keep – can become one of your daily projects. If it seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks. Try setting a timer. Did you know that working in 25 minute intervals is known as the Pomodoro technique?
Finally, let’s keep things in perspective. This is a very difficult time and we are under tremendous pressures. It’s okay not to be at our most productive. There are brighter, busier days ahead.
