My System for Getting Stuff Done (Part II)

Welcome back. This is Part II of me sharing with you what works for me to be productive, even during stressful times. You can find Part 1 here. Today, I invite you to focus on few basic yet very important facets of self-care. No productivity system can get you to the next level unless you learn how to take care of yourself. During times of stress, this used to be the first place where I would make cuts. Drop the daily exercise, take a break from practicing the cello, or even step away from meals with the family to work more. All these strategies may give you a little of time today but will negatively impact your productivity and happiness in a more chronic and damaging way. Taking care of your body (and yes, your body is the substrate for your mind) should always come first. Try the following things:

• Got to bed early and make sure work does not creep into your bed. I am not even asking you to put your phone away (that would be a great idea but surprisingly hard to implement). Rather, give yourself permission not to work when you are in bed (and, no, quickly checking work email is not OK). This is hard since work seems to never end when we are working from home. Tell yourself that you have done enough for the day and that you deserve rest.
• Exercise in the morning. I am sure exercise physiologists will have opinions on this. For me, getting 15 minutes of exercise done before I start working makes all the difference how the day goes. I feel stronger and more focused after exercising. Mind you, my exercise is very mild and very short. If it more intense I do not succeed in maintaining the routine. Be gentle with yourself!
• Practice gratitude and offer praise for your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues throughout the day. This helps me to focus on the positive things and strengthens my relationships, which ultimately makes everything easier. Never take anything nice for granted but rather express your appreciation and gratitude.
• Develop a good yoga or meditation routine to enhance your well-being and health. Short and daily is much better than long and only now and then.
• Have a non-negotiable beauty/hygiene routine (brush your teeth, floss, pamper your skin, and whatever else is important to you).
• Have book to read on your nightstand that is not work or school related.
• Go for a brief walk every day.
• Check in with your family.

These are the key elements of my self-care routine. What are yours? Please post below in the comments and share your strategies. Remember, taking care of yourself is not egoistic but rather the foundation on which you can build your productivity routine and success!