Control What You Can

Greetings, Queens & Kings. We've been hit with a whirl wind this past couple of weeks. Some have been handling it well whilst some haven't. Whatever your case might be, i think we've had enough time to wallow in the mayhem. It's now time to "recalculate" as the GPS would say and control what you can. Do keep on reading, as i will be offering some simple tips that will prompt you have better quarantine days.

You can't control how long the storm lasts, but you can control how you last in the storm.

-IFEOMA AMADI

1. Set a reasonable Sleep Schedule and keep to it.

Not because there isn't somewhere for you to be the next day at a particular time, means that you should turn into a vampire who can't sleep. You should have at least 6 - 8 hours of sleep, the good thing about quarantine is that you can decide on the time to sleep. If your a night owl, choose a period of time in the daytime to go to sleep. If your a morning person choose the night time to sleep. Whatever it is sleep for a reasonable amount of time. It will rest your brain and set the tone for productivity.

2. Create and execute a Morning Routine

Select mindful and energising activities that will get rid or sleep, awaken your senses and prompt your mind to do work. It should include things you like and they should excite you to wake up. After a couple of trials i have acquired my perfect morning routine, it includes me waking up, saying a word of prayer, getting out of bed & making the bed, then i go through my devotional book & read my bible & pray,  I reflect,then i read a book for at least 15 minutes, do yoga, take a bathe and then eat breakfast. Each day it's a different order but i try to to them.

3. Plan our your day.

Now more than ever, taking time to plan your day is necessary. Make a simple TO-Do list with pen & paper or write out a detailed yet realistic list of thing you want to get done. Pick 2 to 3 main things from the list that you want to get done for sure and get started on them (completing these will make you feel motivated). This gives your day structure like the one you had before quarantine, the only difference is that you have to enforce them. Bear in mind that you might not complete all the tasks you write down, so don't sweat it. Planning out your day gives you guideline and direction. To help you out i made a printable weekly and daily planner.

HERE IS THE DAILY PLANNER:

file:///home/chronos/u-cc704c5c5fa802fd66ba059154a42ceb4e9801c7/MyFiles/Downloads/Cheers%20to%20a%20better%20Day.pdf

HERE IS A WEEKLY PLANNER: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jkvrqH9mBc88fjlHjgbVUUBMLTL5C87FCj7ynw1Y1qw/edit

4. Get Dressed

Yes. Take a bathe and get dressed up like you're going out. This is great because it not only because it gives you an opportunity to explore your style but it prompts your mind to get serious and set you into work routine. 

5. Take sufficient Breaks during work sessions.

In your schedule, write in break & lunch time. This allows you time for refocusing and alleviates stress. It also gives you something to look forward to during work period.

6. Have a designated Work Area

If you have a desk, great let that be your work area, if you don't simply pick a corner in your room, get a chair or sit on the floor and let that be your work area. I wan t to place emphasis on the designated part- this means you are to only do work in that area during study periods. Place your phone and other devices far from that area or in a different room. So that if you  feel the urge to go on your phone, you would have to go through the stress of getting up and walking all the way to the different area in order to use the phone. This will lessen time wasting.

7. Make a conscious effort to stay active.

The fact is that we use to burn certain calories in our normal routine by simply walking about. We currently don't walk about that much and hence it is necessary that we make time to do a bit of in house fitness sessions- run in place for 10 minutes or follow along a YouTube work out video. In addition to morning stretches, this week i Incorporated d a 15 minutes fitness plan into my routine. The 15 minutes plan is a PDF guide that was sent to me via email by the lovely Aysha-Simone (https://www.instagram.com/aysh.sparks/). If you want it, you can: send her a DM requesting it or email me or DM me to send it to you.

8. Decide on an exciting activity to do after your work is completed

Whether it be calling a friend or eating a particular dessert or watching a show- each day decide on an activity that you genuinely enjoy, schedule the time to do the activity after completing certain amount of work. Work towards rewarding your hard work with such activities. Use the principle of WORK HARD, PLAY HARD.

9. Learn a new skill

Pick a skill you are curious about and dedicate time to learn that skill. Such actions stimulates the brain and improves your leaning ability. Make use of mediums like YouTube and Skillshare to learn new skills. I recently learnt about interior design, making documentaries and caring for plant by watching videos on Skillshare. I made use of their 2 months free trial: https://join.skillshare.com/jan2020-general/?coupon=google2free&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=Brand_CA_2Free&utm_term=skillshare&matchtype=e&gclid=CjwKCAjwg6b0BRBMEiwANd1_SCuRhc6CtEY2Cp-SVXvwsSPH3pKR7TgkOiPUMTnhVlrbE0Pr9_F2wxoC76gQAvD_BwE.  

10. Be disciplined

You have to enforce these techniques else you'll make the plans and still find a way to waste your day. Remind your self that the feeling of accomplishment is better that of time wasting. Remind yourself of the 'Why' your doing what your doing. Push till you complete the task, tick it off your to-do list and go on to the next task.

11. Study with friends or classmates virtually

Reach out to classmates and schedule time  to go over notes. It makes study time less boring and it mimics class time.

12. Background music or noise whilst studying

Play background music with no lyrics from YouTube when studying. If you can't focus with the music, there are 'no music study with me' videos on YouTube, play the video. There aren't any music but there are sounds that mimic the ones you would have if you were in school. It creates a school like sound during study period. 

13. Have a talk with the people you live with

For some of us, the discipline or digital distraction part is not the problem. What is the problem is the very fact that we are stuck at home with our family members who tend to be distraction when in study mood. A simple remedy for this is to have a conversation with them. Tell them or even show them the period of time you wish not to be disturbed.

14. Just Try

Last but not the least i am imploring you to simply make an effort to have a productive day. It all starts with a desire and little effort. Focus on being 1% better than you were yesterday.

If you implore these tips in your life right now, you would be controlling what you can, forgetting about what you can't control and you would be more productive.