I don’t know about you, but I’m not getting much done. On top of it, the more I acknowledge I’m not getting enough work done, I get frustrated. Bet you can guess how that frustration’s working. (Hint: It’s not.)
My kids eat all the food in the house 120 seconds after I put it in the refrigerator.
Husband isn’t working full time at the moment, which means days he’s here, we spend time together.
Keeping everyone on track while trying to stay on track myself is exhausting.
Huh.
Keeping everyone else on track…
Doing for everyone…
Women in particular, but also many men, find themselves in this all-too-familiar boat.
We bubble over with frustration because we can’t make everything perfect for ourselves or anyone else.
You know what we all need to do?
We can’t snap our fingers and make everything that’s happening a bad dream but we can:
Breathe.
Chill.
Stop f*cking with the expletives. (Or is that just me?)
Here are 7 things to do instead of getting worked up about not getting work done:
- Be together. When will you all be in the house together again this much? Never. Instead of resisting and hating this time, appreciate it too.
- Do something instead of doing nothing. So you can’t get it done with all the interruptions and distractions so you won’t start? Really?
- Watch a show or 12 with no guilt. I’m not suggesting bagging your next Zoom call for Netflix, but don’t beat yourself up about more TV time than usual. (Also, I strongly recommend McMillion$.)
- Let people make their choices. Can you force your kid to do their homework even when school’s in session? Probably not. They have to choose to do it. Still true.
- Acknowledge what you do accomplish. Not rocking and rolling like you did a month or two ago? Who is? Keep working at it and recognize what you ARE getting done and not only focusing on what’s left.
- Phone a friend. A friend can listen before you explode. Chances are, they can also relate.
- Decide what has to get done and get it done. If it’s not urgent, don’t kick your butt if you don’t get to it.
Most people are less productive during the coronavirus pandemic. We’re all figuring it out together.
Tonight, I’m going to turn on the next episode of Killing Eve, and let my kids Snapchat up a storm and play Borderlands3 until they’re blue in the face. I’m not going to ask them if they’ve read or are all set with their assignments or if they’ve picked up a single thing off their floor and put it in the laundry. (Yes, I already know the answer.) What I’m also going to do is be guilt-free despite not meeting my productivity goals. Now is not the time for perfection but to remember to celebrate progress.
What about you? How’s your productivity?
You really nailed the feelings I am experiencing when it comes to productivity. As I work I drift into worrying about our next food delivery and how my kids are doing and when will I leave my home. These thoughts can paralyze us and impact our performance. I am trying to stay focused on one thing at a time and forcing myself not to multi-task as much. Sometimes it works.
Hang in there Alli. Thanks for sharing your ways of coping. Just stay healthy.
Terri
Multi-tasking is tough during the best of times. Love your truth that sometimes it works. We all need to find ways of coping and accept that social distancing and living in the shadow of COVID-19 is not ending anytime soon.
Alli
Hi Alli,
Well once again you honed right in on a timely topic. Many people who have not spent loads of time at home experience exactly what you describe. Your list is full of great suggestions.
I would add, note every single thing you do. Even the smallest things done count. I add them to a list and check them off AND then I am motivated the next day to do bigger things 🙂
Here’s to coping!
Kate
Keeping track of accomplishments beyond a mental checklist! I use my planner to note what I did for the day, not only what I need to accomplish. There are so many things we can count on our “done” list we probably dismiss most of them. Great suggestion, Kate. Anything we can do to stay motivated and acknowledge progress is a good move.
Alli
Great advice Alli!
I’ve worked as part of a remote team for six years now and am lucky to still have work. I’m currently working on a huge project with a tight deadline and was starting to get very stressed for the reasons you outline. I found the only way I could concentrate was to turn my mobile off and unplug the house phone during typical work day hours. What a difference that has made.
I still talk to my friends when I finish work, but it’s after hours. I also try to go for a half hour walk somewhere each day and that helps my productivity enormously. Journaling is helping too and makes me appreciate the small things.
I agree with you, now that people have the opportunity… enjoy your time with your family and find different ways of doing things!
Stay well, best regards from the far south.
Ingrid
Turning everything off! Yes! I watch the news and check news sites (too much) but my TV is never on during the workday even in the background. Small actions to increase focus help. Like you, I’ve also been walking most days of the week and find that it’s great for mental clearing and an escape from the house that I otherwise wouldn’t leave. Before this, I wouldn’t walk outside much but if I wanted to exercise I’d head to the gym. I suspect my walks will stick around long after the crisis is behind us.
Here’s to taking advantage of what’s here now the best we can.
Thanks for adding your insights, Ingrid!
Alli
Like you! I’m looking for my next new favorite show…AND get caught up on my reading 🙂
I’m definitely doing both of those things! Always open to recommendations 🙂