How I’ve Managed to Stay Productive

4 tips to remain on track

2020 was hard on everybody. The pandemic effectively put the world on hold, prompting the need for proper health precautions. If you’re like me, you were probably very scared and anxious during that time. I stayed home a lot, and I finished my second semester of school online. You would think that being at home would allow for lots of time to stay productive, since there really isn’t much to do. However, I often found myself distracted, whether it be binging Netflix shows or just spending too much time browsing social media. As time passed though, I’ve found certain methods that have allowed me to pursue my passions with diligence. I’d like to share some of my most effective tips today.

Identify and Explore

This one may be the least controversial here, as it is rather cliché. However, many underestimate how important this step actually is. Some students may find it difficult to start their schoolwork, and this is usually because they lack interest in the subject. If you do not enjoy a topic, how would you ever be able to do it well? So, step one in this process is to identify a subject or topic in which you are passionate about. Step two is to explore this interest by finding different ways to develop it. This is the crucial part. For me, my academic passions revolved around mathematics and statistics. The reason why I am actually writing on Medium today is because I followed that second step. In searching for ways to build and develop my interest in math, I stumbled upon this amazing platform. On Medium, I am able to write about my academic interests, as well as read articles written by people in the same field. Ever since, I’ve felt that my time has been used in a more productive manner.

Develop a Growth Mindset

In my English class at school, we recently learned about two different mindsets a person can have: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. These terms were researched and popularized by professor Carol Dweck from Stanford University. Essentially, a person with a fixed mindset is someone who believes that one’s qualities are set in stone. These are the types of people who will not try new things, who will give up early, and who look down on effort and resilience. On the other hand, somebody with a growth mindset believes that one’s qualities can change over time. These are the people who actively seek feedback and try again and again when confronted with failure. We are shooting for the growth mindset here. The key to achieving this requires the understanding of only two words: right now. For example, if you did poorly on a math test, you may think,

“Man. I just can’t understand the material.”

Instead, just append the two key words to the end of that phrase.

“Man. I just can’t understand the material… right now.”

Now, you will be more inclined to work towards your goal of mastering the topics for the next math test! After adopting this mindset, you will find that it easier to get started and work for extended periods of time. The addition of the words right now will give you a sense of urgency and determination that will ultimately propel you towards the finish line. Eventually, you may even realize that you do not have enough hours in the day to do your work! To learn more about the importance of the growth mindset, consider watching either of the two TED talks below.

Move Your Body

This tip may be specific to certain people, but it has worked wonders for me in the past. Move around! By moving around right before I need to work, I often feel more energized and determined to complete the task at hand.

You do not have to do any extensive full-body workouts. In fact, all I really do is some stretching, a few light exercises, and a quick walk. Five minutes is more than enough. If you would like to get some inspiration, I’ve written a rough outline of my routine below.

Albert’s “Motivation” Routine

• pushups
• lunges
• toe touches
• hip twists
• boxing or shadow boxing (this one is very specific to me)
• walk around the house

Your routine does not have to be the same as mine. In fact, it probably won’t be given that I have shadow boxing on mine. The key is to get moving and to get your body ready for the difficult work that you are about to do.

Create a Checklist

Creating a checklist is beneficial for many reasons. It helps you stay organized by listing exactly what needs to be completed, while also providing a motivational boost. For schoolwork, this is usually covered with learning websites that list your assignments and assessments for a given day. Therefore, the checklist you create can be more geared towards your activities outside of school. I recommend writing the tasks out in order of when you’re going to complete them. Actually writing the checklist out creates a more personal connection to your list, but using something like google calendar is obviously still acceptable. Once you’ve created the list, hang it up somewhere near the place you work and make sure you can clearly see each task. As you start working, check off each individual task when you finish it.

The process of becoming more productive is not simple by any means. I am still working on it, but I have seen changes that I never thought I would ever see. Although it has been hard, I must say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the process. Seeing the amount of work I have been able to complete on certain days truly astonishes me. But, I know that there is still more to go to reach my most passionate and productive self. Until I have reached that state, I will never stop learning about ways to surpass my current mindset.