Technology addiction + Procrastination = No work done

I’m sure I’m not the only one who spends countless hours on Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, and even Twitter. The lure of social media and other distractions is becoming a real problem in today’s society. None of this helps us be more productive.

I can vaguely remember a time before smartphones where I always finished my homework and read a book every other day. Technology addiction is a reality and it’s up to us to police ourselves and develop some self-control.

Now that SnapChat isn’t the only app with Stories that we compulsively have to check (like come on.. WhatsApp stories too? Seriously? It’s not necessary -_-) it’s become a lot trickier to extract ourselves from our electronic devices.

When I started to fall behind at University, I decided I had to figure out some strategies to get more work done and cut down on my time-wasting.

Here are some ways to get more work done and be more productive:

1. Make a Schedule for Yourself

Plan out a rough idea of your week and fill in what you know you will be doing. For example, I have university classes on Sundays and Mondays. I blocked off the time I know I’ll be in class.

Next, give yourself a wake-up and a bedtime that is the same every day. It’s important to have a consistent sleep schedule and get enough sleep overall.

Block off some time for your morning and evening routines. If this includes exercise or yoga, it might be a little longer.

Mark off your meal times, and then see what you have left. Block off some time where you will spend on your homework, studies or assignments. This can also be the same amount of time every day.

It’s better to consistently work every day, rather than procrastinate the whole weekend and then struggle the night before a deadline. Ideally, for a full-time university student, you should be spending 40 – 45 hours per week on your studies to cover all your work.

When you think you’ve sectioned off sufficient time for work, look at what’s left over and designate this as your time to relax, watch series, or whatever else you like to do for fun.

If you spend enough time during the week on your work, you’ll find that you have a day or two to spare on the weekend where you don’t have to work.

Now all you have to do is put your schedule somewhere that you will see it, and stick to it. After a while, you will get used to your new routine and you’ll feel much better while you’re scrolling through Facebook, knowing you had a productive day and finished that assignment two days early.

2. Invest in a Planner

Planners are one of the best ways to track and manage how productive you have been over time.

Whether you have a diary, a Bullet Journal (any notebook) or even just a desk calendar. Basically, anything where you can write down everything from your appointments to your homework.

It is extremely helpful to your productivity levels when you write down everything you have to do, and when it has to be done. This way you can effectively plan how much time you need to complete a task.

As soon as you get your deadlines or appointment, write them down. This way you will have a visual reminder of when you need to be prepared and you can plan in advance. This is especially helpful during exam season.

For instance, if you have an assignment due and a movie-date on the day before, you will know you need to have your assignment finished at least 2 days before it’s due or risk canceling the date or missing the deadline.

Planning has become an art form. People all over the world have made planning more fun for themselves by including colours, pictures, stickers, washi tape, drawing, paint and much more.

WARNING: This may result in you becoming completely obsessed with purchasing stationery and stickers.

3. Prioritise Your To-Do List

Having a to-do list for every day gives you a focus on what you need to get done and keeps you productive.

Prioritising according to Must Do’s and Try To Do is another strategy which helps you determine what is most important. Try to have 3 things that you have to get done for each day and do them first.

If you make these the unpleasant tasks that you don’t really want to do, you’ll get them out of the way and then you are free to do your more enjoyable tasks afterward.

This way you won’t have to worry and dread doing the unpleasant task tomorrow, and it will be finished before its deadline.

You’ll also have the satisfaction of crossing off everything you had to do, and you have a visual reminder of how much you achieved on a particular day or week.

4. Have a Specific Location for Working

Doing your homework on your bed is extremely bad for your productivity levels. Your brain associates your bed with sleeping and relaxing, so you won’t feel very motivated to do your work.

If possible, have an area in your house or room where you only focus on work. A study or even just a desk in your room is the perfect place.

This way you will know when you sit down at your desk or walk into your study, that now it is time to get some work done. It will be much easier to concentrate and stay focused.

Make your work environment a place where you want to be. Motivational pictures and quotes do wonders for your mood.

Keep your bed and other areas for relaxing only. You’ll sleep better and feel better too (and your back will thank you).

5. Reward Yourself

We all like to have some fun every now and then, so make sure to plan some rewards for yourself for when your work is done and you think that you’ve been sufficiently productive.

Every day, if you’ve consistently completed all your work, reward yourself with some TV or movie time. Have a cookie or piece of chocolate after every chapter of your readings. Wait to buy that new jacket until you’ve finished and submitted your assignment. Give yourself a manicure when you’re done studying for your exams a week in advance.

Whatever you choose, your brain will associate working with rewards and you’ll want to do more work (even if it’s just to think of new ways to reward yourself).

Let me know if you have any more ways that help you be more productive when it comes to getting your work done at home.

xoxo

Binx

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