If you’re a sedentary person, you may find being productive at home to be difficult. You just want to sit on the couch and chill with your phone and favorite TV show. While everyone deserves some relaxation time, it’s equally important to get things done. Here are five ways you can start being more productive.
1. Improve the lighting in your home
If you come home to a dark house, it’s only natural that you’ll want to flop on the couch and do nothing. As soon as you get home open the curtains (if it’s still light out) or turn on lights. This will keep you feeling awake instead of making you feel tired and lazy. If you work from home, it’s especially important to make sure you’re getting the amount of light so that you can be productive during your work hours. If you live in a city that gets relatively little sunshine or you’re home mostly when it’s dark, invest in some brighter lightbulbs. During the months when the sun sets early, this is even more important.
2. Don’t make the couch your first stop
When you get home, you might want to lounge on the couch and unwind, but once you do you might not get up again. Before you relax, get a few things done. If you need to do laundry, throw in a load while you cook dinner and clean the kitchen. If you have a package you’ve meant to put together for your mom, finish that and then reward yourself with a bit of time in front of the TV. Once you get all cozy and relaxed, it’s difficult to find the motivation to get up again and be productive. Create a new habit a be productive before you relax.
Just why are we so lazy? This video explains the scientific reasons why some of us are addicted to the couch. Turns out, we may be programmed to be that way. We hate when that happens! see more at youtu.be
3. Be organized
If you want to get more done while you’re at home, you need to know what you want to get done. Create a to-do list so that when you come home you know exactly what needs to be done. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to spend two hours being productive. If you can cross off two to three items on your list, you should be proud. You’ll also be more motivated to do the same the next day. Deciding beforehand what you want to accomplish will help you in being more productive.
4. Create routines
Whether you know or not, the way you are living right now is a routine. You probably do exactly the same thing every week and every weekend. The only way to change this is to create new habits and routines. Start by making little changes. If you typically spend your weekends sleeping until noon, wake up earlier. By waking up earlier you will have more time to get things done and then you can relax as usual.
5. Use a reward system
Yes, it might make you feel like you’re five years old at the beginning, but this technique can help you to be more productive. If you have to earn things like TV time, your favourite snack or going to a movie by accomplishing a few tasks, you’ll be more likely to get them done. You’ll even begin to feel a sense of pride once you begin earning your rewards.
But wait, there’s more!
Even if you’ve been a couch potato your entire life, there are things you can do to change your habits to become more productive.