How to stay productive outside a regular schedule
I don't know about you, but life has been busy lately. There are a lot of good things happening! But, it can still be a lot to juggle, especially outside of a regular schedule.
Whether you work on the academic calendar or not, summer can be a time when we lose the structure we previously had. The semester is over, kids are out of school, travel and vacations (if you're lucky!) interrupt the regular routine. It can be hard to find your rhythm and stay focused on your goals.
As a person who has been fully self-employed for over a year now, this is something I'm all too familiar with. I don't have anyone to answer to (except clients), and I certainly don't have a boss! This can feel really freeing, but it can also create some challenges when it comes to productivity.
I've had to practice a few different strategies to help me stay productive and fulfilled. Here are some tips that you might find helpful in your own life:
Make a routine that works for you, but have some flexibility
Strict schedules just don't work for me, but on the other hand, I know that my mental health suffers when I regularly sleep in late and get a late start to the day. My current routine involves getting up between 7-8am, having a slow morning taking care of the animals and eating breakfast, and then starting work around 9 or 9:30am. I'll usually work through the morning, shower, have lunch, and then my schedule varies a bit day to day. Some days I keep working, while other days I might run errands or go to the gym in the afternoon. If I still have more work to do, I’ll tackle that later or adjust my schedule for later in the week. I rarely work on weekends, but do occasionally if needed.
Set boundaries on your time
I love coaching and meeting with clients over Zoom, but as an introvert, being on Zoom also requires a different kind of energy. I realized that not having any “Zoom free” days during the week wasn't working for me, so I put up some boundaries. I now no longer schedule meetings on Mondays and Fridays, and it’s done wonders for my energy and productivity.
Prioritize what absolutely has to get done
When we're feeling overwhelmed with everything on our plates, one of the best things we can do is scale back and focus on critical, top-priority tasks. In fact, when I find myself in a state of overwhelm and mentally repeating all the things I need to do, it can be helpful to pause, take a step back, and consider each task.
Do I really need to do this right now?
Does this need to get done this week?
Do I need to do it in this specific way that I’ve pre-planned?
Does it need to be done to this degree?
Sometimes the answer is yes, there is some external deadline or other need that makes the task a top priority, but often the push urgency is just coming from my own brain.
More tips for staying productive this summer
Staying productive outside of a regular schedule can be challenging, but there are things you can do to set yourself up for success. These are the things that have worked for me, but there are some other strategies you might want to consider.
Take breaks throughout the day. Getting up and moving around every 20-30 minutes can help you stay focused and avoid burnout. Also, be sure you’re eating enough and drinking enough water! This can sometimes fall by the wayside when we’re in deep focus mode.
Reward yourself for your accomplishments. When you reach a goal, take some time to celebrate your success, no matter how small it might seem. You deserve it!
Don't be afraid to phone a friend. Finding an accountability partner can be a great way to stay focused and stay realistic about what you can accomplish. Coaching can also be a great way to get this support in a more structured manner.
You can make the most of your summer and stay productive without the boundaries of a regular schedule, just remember to be flexible and go easy on yourself.
