Three ways to increase your productivity level when you’re down

It had started off like any other day, I had to – get up, get ready, work, interact with colleagues and friends, get into Lagos traffic on the way home, try to interact with family, and sleep early enough to start again the next day.

On that particular day, each task seemed like an insurmountable hurdle, I was uncharacteristically anxious and literally had heart palpitations when I looked at my to-do list – there was no way I could do it all, yet, I had to.

It was what was expected.

But I also couldn’t shift the gnawing knowledge that I was running low and had to do something before it got worse.

Perhaps, you have had a similar experience, or are currently in one, I would like to share three things we could do to increase our productivity level when we are in a hump.

How to increase your productivity level when you’re down

Here are three ideas to increase your productivity level when you feel overwhelmed and discouraged.

1. Refresh your mind and body

There is something compelling about refreshing our bodies and minds when we are feeling low and unproductive.

For a typical busy bee, the idea of taking time to refresh might almost sound insulting and unhelpful.

Like, ‘how do I do that with a mountain of work?‘

But the beautiful thing about refreshing ourselves is that it doesn’t often take as much time as we think. Even if you had only 5-10mins to decompress, you could use that.

Here were some things I’ve done during my low productivity seasons:

• Go for a walk

You can listen to music (praise jam session)  on your walk or do nothing. The idea is to get your body and mind moving. There have been loads of studies on the benefits of walking, including improving our mental health, strengthening our limbs and joints, and helping with oxygen circulation in the body.

• Take a nap:

We often underestimate the power of deep, short rest. I have talked a bit about naps in the past and it was been an incredible resource for those moments when my productivity tank is low. Napping helps me rest my body and mind, and I am often better able to tackle my to-dos after a session.

• Read or watch something

You could consider reading or watching short snippets that will get you relaxed or energized. I will confess that this option can easily be abused. What we read/watch matters and how long we do it for J. While the idea is to refresh and rejuvenate our senses, for instance, watching that Korean drama you’re obsessed with for hours on end may not be the best way to refresh your mind and body.

But then again, you know best. Just be true to the process.

• Drink lots of fluids

Did you know that a glass of water could be the difference between a pounding headache and feeling okay?

Sounds a bit out there but a few years ago, when I had a fever and was hospitalized, the nurses kept forcing me to drink loads of water – you can imagine that this was the last thing on my mind but I couldn’t deny that it was effective. It lowered my body temperature and also allowed the drugs to work better. While this example may not be entirely relevant (LOL), it is certainly a reminder that drinking plenty of fluids – water and herbal teas are great, can help calm and center you and of course, refresh you.

• Do something you love

This should be a given but do note the points made in paragraph (iii) above.

• Connect with others

Reach out to your support network, if possible. It can also be a network of one. You may have that friend or family who you can talk to when you feel this way. I certainly have a few friends who have been so loving and generous with their time.

Though these days, I go to God first. I like to think He is the only one that has a full perspective on the issues (especially those parts we omit when talking to others).

2. Re-strategise

Many times, feelings of low productivity are also a signal that we need to revisit our work/life commitments. It’s often the time to ask ourselves some hard questions:

“Am I taking on more than I should?’

“Am I doing the wrong things and hoping that they will somehow turn out well?”

“Do all these things on my to-do list really matter?”

We all know we can’t do it all yet we try to cram as much as we can into each day and when we fail to complete our tasks, we are left with the sour taste of defeat and rejection. one quick thing we need to do is prioritize

If you have asked yourself some of these hard questions and are ready to make some changes, here are a few things that can help:

• Rethink your ways

There’s a saying that ‘the answer you seek can only be found down the unknown path.’ This basically means that we may need to try to do things a different way or to think about things in a different way to get the answer we are looking for.

For instance, could you think of another way of tackling the issue – this can include using a new medium such as doing a video/audio rather than writing? Working from a different spot, using different resources, amongst others.

• Ask for help:

This goes in two parts – If you believe you are taking on more than you should or your skills/competencies are not being maximized, you can have a conversation with the relevant party, this could be your boss/parents or colleagues. Share your thoughts, not with the intention of forcing them or making yourself out to be a victim but in a respectful manner and with an intention to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.

And where you need help, be specific about what sort of help you need and when you need it.

• Do something else

No, I’m not telling you to quit your job or move out of your parent’s home. That’s a conversation you should be having with God.

In addition, to point one above, you could consider doing something else rather than struggling through a particular task. I once read a book on gut health when I had an essay that was due. Doing this shifted my focus and reduced my stress while also giving my subconscious a chance to think through the essay. It’s interesting how our mind works when we are not stressed or anxious. I also cannot take credit for this tip(or any of the others :))as the Holy Spirit helped me through.

3. Let go of expectations and comparisons

One of the hardest things I experienced during that particular low productivity season was the fear of letting others down. I had a boss who would often praise my skills and efficiency, creating added pressure to perform. This made it difficult to go back to him for help because I didn’t want to seem incompetent.

But this was also a trap!

People will always have expectations of us.

People will always have ideas about what we are capable of and many times their thoughts don’t match up to our realities.

This also means that we need to confront our personal expectations. Perhaps, you imagined you would be way ahead in your career and life and are now doing everything you can to ‘catch up!’

Stop for a moment and breath.

One of my current mottos is “nothing to prove”, it’s a reminder that I can’t do it in my power and can only submit to the power of God to help me through each situation. The feelings of overwhelm, stress, and low productivity are often tied to our ideas around who we are and what we should or should not be doing. For more on this, check out Jennie Allen’s book ‘nothing to prove’

Taking ourselves out of the equation is sometimes the best way to tackle the issue.

I have also learned not to subject myself to others people’s expectations and even where I make mistakes or fail to finish tasks, I remind myself that I am not infallible but can learn through every process and obstacle.

This is also a good time to get over any superiority or inferiority complex. We are all in this jungle called life, trying to make sense of things.

Stop with the comparisons!

This is another trap, especially when you can’t seem to get anything done; it’s easy to focus on those who seem to have everything figured out. Remember that no one’s life is perfect and you are only seeing one side or dimension.

Some encouraging scriptures:

• Isaiah 43:19

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

 

• Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

• Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 6-7

For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…a time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.”

 

Conclusion – why you should increase your productivity level

I hope the above three reasons provide a means for you to increase your productivity level when you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed.

Remember to seek help when you feel overwhelmed or need counsel.

All the best, Sis!

Do you have any tips on revving up your productivity? Do share with us.