Tag: productivity

  • How To Stop Being Lazy And Unmotivated And Become Productive Instead

    How To Stop Being Lazy And Unmotivated And Become Productive Instead

    It’s normal to procrastinate and put off doing something because you don’t feel like it in the moment. But when is enough, enough? Today I want to share some tips on how to stop being lazy and stop procrastinating and become more productive instead.

    It all starts with the desire to take a break and catch a breath during a busy day. However, before you know it, this “break” has extended to days, weeks or even months. You find yourself lazing around doing nothing productive. To cap it all, you keep getting that nagging feeling of guilt as you are reminded of the tons of work yet to be done – the goals yet to be achieved. 

    How To Stop Being Lazy

    Although the laziness syndrome is real, the good news is that there are ways you can overcome it. It’s really not as difficult as you may think, so grab a seat and let’s dive right into the best ways to stop being lazy! 

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    1. Be Kind To Yourself

    It’s very easy to beat yourself up for being a lazybone while tons of work remains undone. However, guilt tripping yourself won’t take you anywhere near getting the job done. You might just end up adding yet another unproductive day to the laziness hall of fame. 

    So yeah it’s normal to feel lazy, but, you should make efforts to address your laziness without feeling bad or guilty about it.

    What to do?

    First of all, you’ve got to discard perfectionism. The more you think you are not equal to the task or you’re not capable of getting the task done, the less motivated you are to do it.

    To stop being lazy and overcome demotivation, understand that you are human and are therefore liable to have some flaws. No one is perfect. Even motivational speakers and those who appear to be the most successful people have got some flaws to deal with. 

    Understanding and accepting this fact will help you to be less judgmental about yourself and more open to making conscious efforts to be a better person. This way, laziness will eventually vanish.

    How To Stop Being Lazy

    2. Have A Plan

    Now that you are mentally ready to give motivation a try, ensure you map out your strategy. Just as the saying goes, “He who fails to plan, plans to fail,” so, you have to scheme out how to go about it.

    Having a plan will provide direction and confidence that will help you even if you meet a hurdle along the way. The goal is to get rid of laziness, stay motivated and get things done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. To achieve this, you’ve got to have a goal plan. 

    One core factor you shouldn’t take with levity is your time. Time is money! Learning the art of time management is a good way to start. Make an effort to schedule your activities in a daily routine as this will go a long way in helping you stay motivated. 

    For instance, if your goal is to give a killer presentation that will convince investors to put their funds in a project, then you have got to have a schedule that will give enough room for preparation and planning long before the actual presentation. 

    Planning how you will get something done can make it easier to get there. Nevertheless, while creating a goal plan, ensure you are realistic about how much time and of course resources you will be needing to meet your goal so things don’t flop and then flip you back to square one.

    ALSO READ: How To Focus Your Mind When Life Becomes Chaotic

    3. Baby Steps Are Allowed

    Often, we end up being lazy and unmotivated when we get overwhelmed  by the amount of work we’ve got to put into something to achieve it. It happens. However, the better you learn how to paddle your canoe of goal planning, the lesser your chance of getting drowned in the lake of laziness and demotivation. 

    Like I said earlier, you’ve got to be realistic while making plans on how to achieve your goals. Plan your schedule according to your ability. Embrace baby steps by taking it one step at a time. 

    For instance, if your goal is to make straight A’s in your professional exams, while planning, ensure you don’t set unrealistic demands for yourself. If you are not the nocturnal type and you think late night studying will help boost your grades, scheduling an all-nighter at the first attempt is going to be a…not so great idea. 

    What do you do? You can take 30 minutes per night for the first week and then increase the duration as time goes. So that’s it. Don’t be scared to take baby steps, they will not only save you from slipping into demotivation, but they will also help you build up your strength and prowess in those activities.

    4. Catch a Breath

    Don’t be mistaken. Avoiding laziness and lack of motivation does not mean you should work and bore yourself to death. While you are making conscious efforts to achieve your goals and accomplish given tasks, ensure you take a chill pill to avoid burnout and stress.  

    Taking out time to catch a breath will help you feel more energetic, motivated to do better and encourage you to put more effort towards achieving your goal. Lack of rest, stress and fatigue will only make you less motivated to carry on.

    So if you’ve got a 2 hour per session work schedule, ensure you take a break to unwind and relax. If you are having trouble with sticking to your time-limits, then you should make use of your alarm clock or a simple egg-timer. Also, scheduling apps like Doodle, Visibook and Timefree will come in handy. 

    READ NOW: How To Take Responsibility For Your Life And Stop Making Excuses

    5. Take Away Distractions

    Taking your time to evaluate why you are feeling demotivated will go a long way in helping you determine what might be distracting you. For example, if you end up gaming till late after you made up your mind to study all day, then it’s time you let go of those games. 

    Since gaming is usually the getaway zone for you each time you aren’t working, then it’s best you take the gaming away until you have acquired some level of self discipline. So, while you are trying to work on how to stop being lazy, think about what you do each time you are having a lazy day or time, and try to stop turning to that activity. 

    ALSO READ: How To Visualize Success In Order To Achieve The Results You Want

    6. Understand The Benefits Of Staying Motivated

    You can do this by journaling! Ask yourself questions and make a list of the benefits you get to enjoy when you are motivated. This will serve as a morale booster and will help you want to work towards achieving your goals. Knowing the advantages of being motivated is motivation in itself.

    7. Don’t Be Afraid Of Failure

    Another important way to stop being lazy is by discarding your fear of the unknown. Fear will stop you from making efforts to be a better person. However, not taking your shot at it is worse than making an attempt and not succeeding.

    It’s okay to be anxious about what the future holds, however, ensure you don’t get pessimistic about the results of your efforts. Even when you fail at an attempt, don’t be scared to take another shot. Be open to optimism.

    8. Eat Well

    You are what you eat. Studies have shown that the food we eat influences our activities. For example, high protein foods like eggs, almonds, and Greek yoghurt help with keeping sugar levels in the body stable. 

    This will help prevent any sluggish or lazy feeling that might be lurking around. In light of this, avoid consuming  a high quantity of sugary and high fat foods. Soda, pasta, fast foods and co are off limits. Although, these foods will give you an immediate rush of adrenaline, they tend to drain your energy in the long run because they don’t digest quickly enough. 

    RELATED READ: How To Get Out Of A Rut In Life And Get Back On Track

    9. Exercise

    To stop being lazy in a matter of minutes, a work on your physical health will help a great deal. Just a few minutes of exercise can increase energy levels, improve mood, and reduce anxiety, stress and depression. 

    So the next time you are feeling uninterested in anything but food and sleep, take a few minutes off and try using the treadmill, take a walk down the block or even dance to your favorite music (of course, music that will get you moving…not opera or something). 

    Final Thoughts

    As you make up your mind to try these tips out, understand that you are likely to experience hiccups in your plans. However, do not allow those interruptions stop you from making conscious efforts to stay motivated. Remember, you can achieve anything you put your mind to!

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  • How To Stop Wasting Time And Become Productive

    How To Stop Wasting Time And Become Productive

    Time waits for nobody. It literally flies and never stops flying. The best we can do is maximize the usage of time because whatever we do with our time is strictly up to us. Today I want to share some tips on how to stop wasting time and become more productive.

    One dangerous fact about time is that wasted time is like a deficit to your destiny. Because that time you wasted is gone and can NEVER be replaced. That amount of time you squandered procrastinating and being unproductive is like a void that must be filled. 

    All those undone tasks, uninitiated projects, unfinished businesses, and unachieved goals are still there waiting for you to take responsibility and get them done — but time will never wait for you, it keeps ticking. And before you know it, you will run out of time to make things happen. 

    The importance of time management and productivity cannot be overemphasized. But unfortunately, many of us suck at it. That’s why we always struggle to maintain a high level of productivity.

    It’s pretty normal for the average person to get a bit sluggish at times, after all, we can’t possibly be at our best every day. But then making it a habit to stay unproductive is just unreasonable.

    When you procrastinate and spend unproductive time watching Netflix all day, scrolling through your social media, and failing to adopt practical steps towards achieving your goals, you are only limiting yourself from being productive and reaching your full potential.

     

     

    How to stop wasting time and be productive

    Being productive simply means making the most of your time! It doesn’t necessarily mean “doing a lot of things”. You can actually be all over the place, carrying out lots of tasks, but in the end, you’re still not productive.

    You simply don’t have to do so much in order to consider yourself efficient, you just have to do what matters.

    Funny enough, when you always do a lot, chances are you are mostly doing stuff that doesn’t matter. After all, there are actually very few things that matter in life. And without focusing on those few things, you won’t be productive.

    But…all hope is not lost because in this article, I will be focusing on how to stop wasting time and become productive. If you actually apply these tips I’m sure you will see a positive change in your life.

     

     

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    1. Develop A Productive Mindset

    The mind is a very powerful tool that can be used to foster transformation. Every movement towards change starts from the mind. 

    Depending on your mindset, you’re either heading towards success or failure. So, if you are going to be productive, your mindset must be improved to the point where it operates optimally. There is no way you’ll procrastinate or spend your precious time on frivolities if you are positive as a person. Instead, making the most of your time will be your priority.

    When you have the right mentality, there won’t be anything like a difficult task, rather, there can only be important tasks. As a result, you won’t hesitate to get things done, because it’s “important” to do so.

    Moreover, there are certain ingredients you really need to fix into your thought process if you are really going to learn how to stop wasting time and become productive as an individual. Examples are:

    • Vision: You need to have a dream before you even get started with setting those goals.
    • Motivation: This element is quite important to maintain your pace towards achieving your goals.
    • Persistence: You need to have a strong will to overcome any difficulty you might face.
    • Positive Attitude: Finally, your attitude is who you are. It can make or mar the whole procedure in life. You need to embrace a positive attitude in order to be productive.

     

     

    2. Set Goals

    To be efficient in whatever you do, you have to get clear on what you want to achieve, and the best way to create such clarity is by setting goals.

    Without a goal, you are more like a traveler who is eager to embark on a journey but then has no destination, no compass, and no map! Trust me, going on such a journey is the easiest way to get lost!

    The same thing is applicable to you if you don’t have any goal — you will never be productive and will never arrive at your desired destination (success).

    With goals, you have a sense of purpose and direction!

    However, when setting those goals, also give yourself a deadline to achieve them because deadlines give you a sense of urgency to get things done as fast as possible. Consequently, there won’t be unnecessary time wastage.

     

     

    How To Stop Wasting Time
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    3. Take It One Step At A Time — Stop Multitasking

    As I mentioned earlier, productivity is not about doing lots of things, but about making the most of your time by doing what matters.

    Seriously, you don’t have to multitask in order to be productive. You just have to take things little by little. Any little step you take towards achieving your goals is actually an act of productivity. You don’t necessarily have to beat yourself up in order to feel useful.

    Most of us have this belief that multitasking helps us to save time and stay productive, but that’s really a misconception.

    According to a study, the average human brain cannot fully focus when multitasking. And as a result, it takes much more time to complete your tasks. Besides, when you multitask, you are likely to make a lot of mistakes. This is the opposite of being productive don’t you think?

     

     

    4. Apply The Pareto Principle 

    The “Pareto principle”, also known as the “80-20 rule” states that 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts. This principle simply recommends that you focus on the efforts that bring greater outcomes!

    In other words, if you want to be productive with the limited time at your disposal, you have to figure out and concentrate on that special task which, when completed, will go a long way to bring you closer to achieving your ultimate goals. 

     

     

    5. Start With The Most Difficult And Important Tasks

    According to Brian Tracy, if you must eat two frogs, start with the ugliest!

    It’s pretty common to fall for the temptation of starting with easier chores — well, Brian Tracy suggests that you should totally avoid this temptation if you want to achieve your end goals. Start by outlining those difficult tasks. If possible, write them down in their order of importance. 

    Here is a representation:

    • Important and urgent (1st)
    • Important but not urgent (2nd)
    • Urgent but not important (3rd)
    • Not urgent and not important (Last)

    Ranking your tasks in this manner is very important as it will give you a clue on which one to tackle first. But then, you must discipline yourself to stick to this order and avoid the temptation of starting with simple chores. 

    Plus, once you determine the most difficult tasks, you have to get started immediately. Because the more you sit and stare at those “dirty jobs”, the more they scare the hell out of you. Consequently, you might even end up procrastinating (as usual).

    If you start off with those rigorous tasks, your confidence will be boosted by the time you are faced with easier tasks. In fact, you will be motivated to get more things done — and pretty fast.

     

     

    6. Be Conscious Of Time

    No matter how good you think you are when it comes to time management, once you start keeping track of how you spend every minute, you’ll be amazed by the amount of time you waste doing absolutely nothing!

    In order to learn how to stop wasting time, you have to be time-conscious. It’s as simple as that. There is no way you can tell if you’re consuming too much time when you don’t make a deliberate effort to take note of what you do with time and what you don’t.

    Now, to be more time-conscious, and to make the most of your time, ask yourself these questions:

    • What would I do if I had more time today?
    • What are the obstacles I face that prevent me from making the most of my time?
    • In what ways can I overcome these obstacles?
    • What steps should I take to be in perfect control of my schedule?
    • What are the tasks I seem to carry out effectively in the morning?
    • Which chores do I do better in the afternoon and at night?
    • What are the tasks that are too time-consuming?
    • What tasks should I delegate to other people?

     

     

    7. Make Your Chores Part of a Routine

    How do you feel when your duties are more like everyday routines? Pretty normal right? Well, another way to simplify things and manage your time effectively is by routinizing your daily tasks. Having a routine not only makes things feel a lot easier but also makes your decisions come much faster.

    To create the best possible routine, you have to establish a schedule starting from your top priorities to the very least. Carefully plan your day in such a way that it will be possible to keep track of all the events you have for each day.

    As part of your routine, constantly revisit your to-do list to see how far you’ve progressed. The joy you derive when your progress is massive will motivate you to do more!

    One good thing about routinizing your tasks is that it makes you more organized and calculated. Moreover, you will be one step ahead of time because you’re already aware of what to expect each day — even the day before. 

     

     

    8. Learn To Say No To What Doesn’t Matter 

    One common weakness most of us have is the ability to say NO when we should. Knowing how to stop wasting time is, in fact, knowing how to start saying NO to things that don’t matter.

    And just so you know, anything that doesn’t add up to achieving your end-goal shouldn’t matter to you.

    When you fail to pinpoint and ignore the things that really don’t matter, you will continue to patronize those things that are not in line with your goals… Then, you keep wasting your time and in the end, you will struggle to achieve your end goals.

     

     

    9. Delegate Your Tasks

    Hi there, human. It is high time you realized that you can’t do it all alone. At times, you might actually need help!

    When you feel like your responsibilities are becoming overwhelming, you have to delegate some of them to your trusted friends, family, or any other person around you.

    If you want to make the most of your time, there is no need to struggle so much with one task until you’re stuck — seek help from someone who knows better than you in that field. It does not make you weak or dull… in fact, it makes you super smart because it implies you know how to manage your time!

    It’s normal to feel stuck at times. And it’s okay to get confused and not know the way forward. It simply means you are human and you need help. And trust me, we all need help at some point in life.

    Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance if you really want to become more efficient.

     

     

    Related reads:

     

     

    Final thoughts

    Sure, it takes a whole lot of determination and discipline to maintain a high level of productivity. However, if you really want to be more efficient in carrying out your tasks, you have to start by managing your time effectively. 

    You’re off to a great start by reading this and learning how to stop wasting your time!

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  • 20 Habits Of Successful Women To Adopt Today

    20 Habits Of Successful Women To Adopt Today

    What does it mean to be a strong, successful woman? The definition of success is of course different for everyone. For some, it’s being financially independent, for others it can be as simple as just being happy. It doesn’t matter what success is to you, what’s important is that you go after what you want so you don’t sit with regrets later on in life. Today I’ll share some important habits of successful women that can help you achieve success quicker.

    So grab a cup of coffee and sit back. In this article, I will be your driver on a trip into the minds of highly successful women. If you want to become like them, read on. 

    Without further ado, here are the top 20 habits of successful women!

     

     

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    1. They practice gratitude

    Gratitude is the quality of being grateful. To the heart, gratitude is like a medicine. In fact, gratitude is so important that meditational exercises aren’t complete without them. And, successful women understand this. 

    So, they hack the benefits.

    When you practice gratitude, you will find yourself automatically focusing on the things that bring joy into your life, while ignoring the heartaches that come with life.

    The truth is that no one has a perfect life. There will always be some form of insufficiencies here and there, whether emotionally, financially, or physically. However, the good news is that life is but a fleeting moment. If there will always be some form of heartache while you live, of what use is living in depression and ingratitude all your life?

    Successful women understand this thoroughly, and so they practice it. 

    How can you do it? 

    Simple!

    Every morning, before beginning your day, get a piece of paper and a pen. Write down 3 things you are grateful for in your career, and then, another 3 things in your personal life. Any time you feel sad or down during the day, refer to this list. Let it be your light in the time of darkness. 

    How does this help? 

    Through gratitude, you develop a positive mindset. And with a positive mindset, you become more fruitful and productive!

     

     

    2. They set goals and stick to them

    Another habit of successful women is the ability to set goals. And not just setting goals, but also following them through. Setting a goal is the first step to turning the invisible into the visible. Through goal setting, successful women have clear-cut targets. These targets give them a sense of direction; a well-designed path to follow on the way to success.

    Now to you! Ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve in the next 12 months? Where do I want to be?”

    No! Don’t attempt to keep them in your head. Write these targets down. 

    Done?

    Now, think of ways through which you could achieve these goals. Yep, it is that easy. That’s one of the simplest habits of successful women. 

     

     

    3. They are constantly working on self-improvement

    A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again – and expecting a different result. The truth is, success is intentional. No one is successful by chance or luck.

    One of the key habits of successful women is the willingness to continuously improve themselves. Whether it is their spiritual, financial, emotional, or mental intelligence, successful women make sure there is always an addition to their abilities. 

    This way they build capacity for success. 

    Related: 11 Tips On How To Invest In Yourself And Change Your Life

     

     

    4. They make their health and exercise a priority

    Never try overworking yourself. If the goal is maximum productivity, you must learn to take your health seriously. Successful women understand that health is wealth. And, health is truly wealth. An active and healthy mind is always more fruitful (compared to a dull one). 

    Here’s an action tip: Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Also, exercise your body for 30 minutes every day. 

    Related: Easy ways to be more active without hitting the gym

     

     

    5. They are morning angels 

    One of the most obvious habits of successful women is waking early. Since the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day, taking charge of the morning automatically means winning the day. 

    Successful women understand this, and that’s why they get up very early in the morning. Whether it is to crunch a project, or set plans for the day, they conquer their morning. And consequently, have a splendid day!

    Related: 15 Tips On How To Wake Up Earlier And Not Feel Tired

     

     

    6. They know when to take a break 

    Successful women understand the importance of breaks. Work isn’t everything, and they know this. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is just to relax. There are times when you will have  to carry out certain tasks, however, the cognitive and emotional strengths will be lacking.

    During these times, always step back from work and take a break. 

     

     

    7.They never give up

    Let’s face the harsh reality of life; the road will not always be smooth! Success has many bus-stops, and one of them is failure. 

    Yes, successful women fail. 

    And fail again…

    And again…

    And again…

    However, they never give up. Afar off, they stare at their goals and do all it takes to take hold of it.  A successful woman would never accept failure and let the weight of the world bring her down! In the wake of adversity, successful women persevere.

    If you want to be like them, acquire this habit too – you would be needing it!

     

     

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    8. They surround themselves with like-minded people 

     A successful woman knows the importance of having like-minded people around her. In this sense, like-minded people are people who share similar goals and ambitions with her. This not only keeps her positive, but it also motivates her to become a better version of herself. 

    You too!

    Make sure the people around you are making you grow. If not, disassociate yourself from them and find some new company.

     

     

    9. They are financial savvy

    They build themselves to attract money. However, they also know how to keep the money. Here’s a truth most people will never tell you: To be rich, it is not about how much money you make, but how much money you can keep. 

    Successful women apply this. So, when building their empire, they also equip themselves with the needed skills to sustain it. Financial intelligence is the key to getting rich. Get it!

     

     

    10. Successful women communicate well

    It goes without saying that we are in the information age. Consequently, money flows where there is information. However, it isn’t enough to have this information, you must also learn the act of communicating it.

    Effective communication skills are one of the skills successful women acquire. Through this, they tend to build lasting relationships.

     

     

    11. Successful women fall in love with the process

    Another pro tip: the joy from accomplishment isn’t gotten from success itself, but from the process. 

    Although success is majorly result-based, a successful woman allows herself to sink into the process because it allows her to blossom and grow.  She loves the learning moments; the hard times and the easy ones. 

    All in all, she allows the process to mold her into what she wants to be. So, when next you see a successful woman, don’t check only the result, but also study the process she took. 

     

     

    12. Minimize distractions

    Whether it is the television or text notifications, distractions are distractions. Distractions only divert your attention from what truly matters to something less important. This way, they keep you from staying on track. 

    Successful women know that to achieve or maintain success, they must always show up for themselves at all times. When it is time for work, they put aside any device – or person – that could be a potential source of distraction. 

    Distraction, in itself, could come in the form of a legitimate event such as a social gathering with friends, or an extremely ridiculous one such as spending all day on Twitter. 

    Either way, I repeat, distractions are distractions. Anything that causes your eye to shift from your goals is a distraction. Put it away. This is one of the habits of successful women that may seem miniscule but is actually very important.

     

     

    13. Successful women do important tasks first

    Not all tasks are equal. 

    In case you aren’t aware, some are less important than others. This fact is irrefutable along with the human race. However, the flexible area of this fact is the difference in ‘what really matters’ to everyone. 

    Successful women come up with a scale of preference. Most times, activities that are more in line with their goals are put above the rest.

     You can too. Come up with a scale of preference that makes your goals more achievable, and do the important stuff first!

    Related: 10 Effective Time Management Tips That Really Work

     

     

    14. They are compassionate and kind

    ‘What goes around comes around.’

    Even though that might sound a little cliché, successful women pay heed to the intricate details of that quote. Simply put, they practice what they would love to receive. 

    In this case, all of them are really kind and compassionate. Being empathic enough to decipher the moods of people and how to approach situations, they grow their relationships into what they want it to be. 

    The old view of being ruthless to succeed is gone!

     

     

    15. Successful women build a killer network

    Relationships are the currency of the 21st century. Successful women do everything within their means to continuously build their network. Instead of shutting everyone out, they welcome people in. Instead of being ruthless and inconsiderate, they are kind and understanding. 

    These and many more qualities, foster the building of good relationships and hence, a killer network. So, stop acting like you can do it all by yourself. The way up, actually, is consciously building a network of professionals and like-minds. 

     

     

    16. They are not afraid of failure

    Failure inspires winners. Failure discourages losers. That is the slang of successful women. Sooner or later, you are going to fail. 

    If you want to be as successful as these women, you must move into a winner’s mindset. 

     

     

    17. They are good listeners 

    A major skill needed for effective communication is an attentive ear. A successful woman listens. She does so not because she is obliged to, but because she wants to understand others’ standpoint.

    By doing this, she gets inspired by their successes and learns from their failures. By learning from others, she becomes better herself and positively influences those around her.

     

     

    18. I can, I can, I can.

    Those are the words of a successful woman. Successful women never give up. Neither are they discouraged by a seemingly insurmountable mountain. Instead, they push. Beyond the obstacle, they push. Until they reach their goal, they push. 

    The phrase, ‘I can’t’ isn’t found in a successful woman’s library. Instead, she looks for ways to make a door out of a rock. 

    Ever persistent, ever courageous, ever brave. 

     

     

    19. Successful women dedicate time to get their lives organized 

    Nope, they don’t jump into the day just like that. A successful woman understands the impact of her environment on her mental health. So, she dedicates time every day to keep her surroundings tidy. 

    The dishes and laundry must always be taken care of. Also, she makes sure her room, home, and office-environment are well-kept. This way, she has the cognitive and mental ability to focus on important tasks of the day without getting bogged down by the environment.

     

     

    20. Successful women never stop reading and learning

    They read, learn, and take action. Read, learn, and take action. 

    And the cycle goes on and on. 

    Successful women are never tired of the learning process. Since taking action is the greatest way to learn, they constantly take action. Whenever she is ignorant about a subject matter, a successful woman asks questions and goes out of her way to educate herself. 

     

     

    For you

    It is your turn to become a successful woman too! I want to remind you that it is okay if you haven’t developed these habits. In fact, if you could read this piece to the end, there is an iota of a successful woman inside of you. 

    So, train her – constantly monitor yourself; always check to see that these habits are in place. 

    You can do it too. 

    You can become a successful woman too.

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  • 10 Effective Time Management Tips That Really Work

    10 Effective Time Management Tips That Really Work

    There is a popular perception that time is everything; be it money, success, health, progress, life, anything, and everything. Truly, who you are or who you will become has a lot to do with how you’ve been spending your time and how you’ll continue spending it. Today we’ll look at some effective time management tips, because time is unfortunately a limited resource.

    How good tomorrow will turn out depends on how you spend the next 24 hours, including every second and minute. 

    Time management, simply put, is the process of maximizing the usage of time. In other words, it is the way by which we make the most of our time for greater productivity.

    Now, it’s fairly common to hear people complaining that they’re running out of time. It depicts the exact nature of the world we live in… It’s a really busy world. In the survival process, we barely have enough time to keep up with lots of things. That’s simply because many of us lack effective time management skills.

    Really, it might not be all that easy to adopt and stick to a particular time regimen or rule. It’s actually difficult to fully adhere to the principles of time, however, it’s not impossible.

    If you’ve been looking for some time management tips that can really work for you, in this article, you will find exactly what you need. Just read on!

     

     

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    1. Change your Mindset 

    The truth is, whatever step you want to take in life starts from the mind. That is why an Idealist would always argue that before anything becomes real, it has undergone a mental process. In other words, most things that manifest physically are products of someone’s initial thoughts. 

    That being said, you can’t possibly manage your time and accomplish your tasks if you don’t have a productive mindset. This is why having the right mindset is fundamental and hence, it is topping the list. With the right mindset, every other step will easily follow. 

    First, you must take a step into that realm where you believe that you have the capacity to do things and finish tasks. You must believe that you can be productive and achieve your desired results! With a positive mindset, your day will start on a good note. You won’t doubt your ability to accomplish those tasks you’ve set for yourself; you just go ahead and embark on them.

    Now, one key strategy to change your mindset to a positive one is by being more optimistic than pessimistic. Don’t give room for doubt.

    If it becomes a bit difficult to change your mindset, then you can gradually learn to do so. There are lots of books out there that you can grab and read. They’ll help you so much you’ll wish you had read them earlier.

     

     

    2. Let Your Focus Be Very Clear From The Start Of The Day 

    The first thing you should think about when you wake up is the most important task for the day. It should occupy your mind. This will enable you to know exactly what tasks to carry out for the day and how to go about it.

    To achieve this, you have to be more creative. Ensure you take advantage of the early hours of the morning to meditate. This period is best suited for mental works because you’ll be in the right frame of mind. Plus, you will be better energized.

    Now, think of those things you have to do for the day. Write them down.

    Secondly, rank the tasks according to their level of importance. 

    After that, you can now start thinking about how to carry out those tasks; each and every one of them. One after the other.

    If you can get clear on what to focus on for the day, then you’re sure going to manage your time effectively that day.

     

     

    3. Wake Up Early 

    This is probably the best time management tip you can embrace. I simply call it a hack.

    When you wake up early, you will be able to plan your day earlier. As a result, you will start your day early too. Early rising will give you the opportunity to finish up your daily tasks because you will have enough time at your disposal.

    In order to wake up earlier and feel good, you have to ensure you sleep early enough. If you can adopt the habit of sleeping at most by 9 P.M, by 5 o’clock, you should have slept for 8 hours which is perfect for your body.

    In a situation where you find it difficult waking up early, you can set an alarm at a realistic time that you can maintain. However, in whatever you do, make sure you sleep enough because there is no way you can be sound enough to embark on your daily activities without getting enough sleep.

    Remember, a popular saying has it that a person who sleeps early and rises early will be healthy and wealthy (that’s what productivity entails).

    If you want to become an early riser but need some guidance, check out my post on how to wake up earlier and not feel tired.

     

     

    4. Track Every Activity

    Whatever activity you embark on every day, track it. This will ensure you know what you are doing right and where you are not getting it right… With this, there will always be room for improvement. Tracking your activities with respect to time will basically see to it that you allocate the right time to each and every task of the day.

    For instance, if you realize that you’ve spent over 4 hours on movies, you can readjust the next day to spend just 2 hours on it. The extra 2 hours can be used for something more productive.

    There are apps that can help you achieve this particular time management tip. Using such an app and having it open at all times can help you track your activities every day. You can also use it to view your calendar weekly, monthly, or yearly.

    You just have to make effective use of your calendar to track your events or tasks. And to make it easier for you, you should consider making use of any of the numerous mobile or desktop apps that are available.

     

     

    5. Stop Being A People-Pleaser 

    This is a bold step to take if you really want to own your time and your life entirely.

    Is it even possible to know what you should do and how you should do it if all you think about is to impress others?  The answer is simply, NO. 

    You will be far from knowing how to manage your personal time if you are a people-pleaser.

    For instance, if you are hell-bent on appearing perfect to people, you will end up channelling your time and energy into doing their biddings. You will only engage in activities that impress them and not you.

    It’s understandable that as humans we naturally want to be accepted and loved; we want to integrate and feel attached to somewhere or something. However, you should know how to curtail your natural instincts by making intentional decisions. If not, you are no better than other wild animals. After all, animals are all products of nature and most of them are social too. 

    The difference between you and a random animal is that you have a mind of your own and can decide when to please yourself and when to please others.

    Now, for you to maximize your time and be more productive, do not fill your schedule with activities that satisfy people who don’t really care about you but only care about what you can do to please them.

    Rather, embrace more tasks that really matter to you. By so doing, you will be able to take perfect control of your time, your life, and existence.

     

     

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    6. Use The Principle Of Elimination 

    This principle typically suggests that you should carry out only:

    • Realistic tasks 
    • Achievable tasks 
    • Important tasks 
    • Feasible tasks 
    • Productive tasks

    Once the task doesn’t fall under any of the above, then you should consider eliminating it.

    In order to ascertain if the tasks you consider carrying out falls under any of those categories, you have to ask yourself the following questions;

    • Can I do without this particular activity?
    • Is this task something I can accomplish?
    • Can I handle this?
    • How important is this task?
    • Can it wait till later?
    • How vulnerable am I if I don’t complete this task?
    • Am I in any way indebted to anyone if this is left undone?
    • Can this task be automated? Etc.

    By considering all these, you will not only be readier, but you will also be able to know what task to prioritize and the ones that can wait. As a result, you will have a greater capacity to complete the most important tasks.

     

     

    7. There Must Be Rules 

    Set some rules that will enable you to achieve the results you desire. One of the most effective time management tips you should embrace today is making use of certain rules to guide you on the usage of time. When you create rules for yourself, they will act as checks or restrictions to your lapses when it comes to managing your time.

    For example, you can give yourself rules like:

    • No T.V once it’s 9 P.M because that’s time for bed 
    • No Social Media once it’s 8:30 P.M because you need to stay off your phone 30 minutes before bedtime. 
    • No PlayStation during weekdays; this will enable you to channel your time to a more productive task

    Setting up simple rules like the ones mentioned above can go a long way to make your life simple. There won’t be unnecessary time wastage if there are such checks!

     

     

    8. Plan Your Week Ahead 

    This is probably one of the most fundamental time management tips you should take advantage of. You can use Sundays for this activity (to plan the week ahead). Assign days and time to each task at hand. This will give you a blueprint of what your week is going to be like. Check out my guide on things to do every Sunday for a productive week for more guidance.

    There is nothing more important than preparation and there is no better way to get prepared than to plan. Walking into your tasks for the week with a plan will not only get you ready, but you will also be focused on your priority-tasks. 

    Moreover, with a plan ahead, it will be far easier to switch from a weekend mood that is carefree to Monday mood that is work-oriented. 

     

     

    9. Plan Your Day Ahead

    You can simply use 25 minutes to plan each day immediately you wake up from sleep. A perfect way to create this daily plan is through the use of a to-do list. Write down every activity using bullet points. To be more positive about this, you should write each task as if it’s already been completed.

    For example, instead of writing “Make a blog post on time management tips”, you should write something like “Blog post on time management tips completed”.

    By writing down your tasks this way, you’ll be motivated to get them done. 

     

     

    10. Avoid Distractions 

    If you really want to manage your life effectively, then this particular time management tip should be very vital to you. A whole lot of times, we fail to accomplish tasks not because we don’t have the capacity to, but because we are always distracted. 

    You have to deal with those factors that don’t work in your favour to get things done. If there is this hobby or event that drains your time, yet it doesn’t help you to achieve other tasks, then it’s a distraction. Shun it!

    Another way to avoid distractions and get important work done is by avoiding multitasking. Endeavour to take your tasks one after the other (just according to your to-do list). You will be amazed at how much you will finally accomplish by the end of the day.

     

     

    Final thoughts

    Finally, if you must live a life that is fully accountable, then you need to learn to use your time productively. And there is no better way to do this than following some (if not all) of the tips discussed above. Oh, you’re welcome.

    Related reads:

     

     

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  • 10 Things To Do Every Sunday For A Productive Week

    10 Things To Do Every Sunday For A Productive Week

    For some people, Sunday is a day to relax, walk around the house in underwear (or even nothing at all), catch up on the latest TV series or simply…sleep. For others, it’s a day to do all the fun things they didn’t have time to do during the week. And then, there are workaholics, who will still find a way to work on Sundays. Which one are you? Do you prefer to chill with a tub of ice cream and tissues, watching Titanic for the hundredth time, or go jogging? Or, do you prefer to pretend Sunday is just another Monday but without having to leave the house?

    Whichever category you fall into, there is always room for improvement. Sunday doesn’t have to be basic, boring or stressful. In fact, it can be the most important day of the week, depending on how you spend it.

    Being the day before a new week starts, Sunday has a major influence on how the entire week will go. If you can spend a part of your Sunday planning for the week ahead, you’d be surprised at how much of a difference it would make. The truth is, many of us waste Sunday, either lazing about or worrying about the coming week.

    It’s easy to dread Mondays because you have to go from relaxing for just two days, to working 9-5 for five days straight. Poor Monday, everybody just hates him. But do you know it’s possible to look forward to Monday? I promise, it’s no magic trick. All it takes is proper strategizing and the right mindset.

    Now, I know “strategizing” sounds like work—relax, I’m not suggesting you work on Sundays too. However, spending some time out of your Sunday to plan the week ahead will not only save you the stress of squeezing your dozens of to-do tasks into the week but also help you take on these tasks with a positive mindset.

    10 Things To Do Every Sunday For A Productive Week

    In essence, a productive Sunday translates to a productive week. By productive, I am referring to proper organization and generally doing things that bring you closer to achieving your goals. We all have short and long-term goals we’d like to achieve, but if you keep moving from one week to the other, dreading the week and the work you have to put in, you are less likely to achieve any of those goals anytime soon.

    There are several problems you can avoid by planning your week ahead of time. In fact, you can prevent work spilling over to the weekend just by taking an hour or two out of your Sunday to organize your tasks for the week into a comprehensive spreadsheet (oh no, this is starting to sound like work, sorry!). But truly, if you want to see actual progress, start from Sunday, so that your life will not just be the typical routine:

    • Go to work
    • Hate your boss
    • Spill coffee on your computer
    • Hate your job
    • Stress through 8 hours of the day
    • Countdown to 5pm
    • Worry because you couldn’t finish the day’s tasks before 5pm
    • Cry and go home
    • Eat boring food
    • Sleep
    • Wake up
    • Repeat

    Well, using your Sunday strategically may not change the fact that your boss sucks, but it will help you be more productive so that you can achieve that goal of actually being your own boss, or at least doing what you love. Here are 10 things you should do every Sunday for a productive week. You might like to call them…the rules of life (okay, maybe it’s not that deep). Nonetheless! Let’s go.

    1. Chores, chores, chores

    Now, I’m sure you didn’t think I’d let you off without cleaning the house under the guise of “planning and strategizing for the week.” Nah, fam. Pick up your cleaning tools, tie your hair into a messy bun, and scrub that house clean. If your environment is not clean and ready for the week then neither are you.

    It’s way more stressful coming back tired from work and finding clutter on the floor or dishes in the sink. The best time to clean up is over the weekend. You can do this on Saturday actually, but supposing you were out with friends or went partying, then Sunday remains the only day to get things in order. Before you sit down to plan your week, do all your chores so you have nothing holding you down in the background.

    2. Sleep is for the weak

    Okay, this is an exaggeration (phew). However, there is nothing more unproductive than sleeping all through your Sunday. Yes, the week was stressful and tiring. Yes, that party was fun and tiring. But sleeping the whole day away will only leave you unprepared for the week, resulting in another stress-filled week and another weekend where you just want to sleep and sleep – and behold, the cycle continues.

    Break the cycle. Shatter it. I’m not suggesting you have to wake up early (why would you do that?). In fact, getting enough sleep is recommended, but when it stretches into the whole day, well, you’ll be missing out on a lot. So, on Sundays, sleep, yes, sleep well, but make sure you get up early enough to do all you need to do for the day.

    3. Reflect on the past week

    Often, we move on to the next week without assessing how the previous week went, what we did wrong, what we did right and what we should never do again (like calling your ex). Sundays are a great time to reflect on the past week and draw lessons from your experiences.

    What could you have done better? Try and implement it in the coming week. What could you have avoided? Try and avoid it this week. Did you achieve your goals for last week? If yes, kudos! If not, re-strategize for the coming week.

    4. Plan!!

    This should be the highlight of your Sunday. Plan. Prepare. Strategize. List out your tasks for the week and organize them into time slots. There are several mobile apps you could use to help you plan your health, finances, calorie intake and workout schedule (if you have the time to workout during the week).

    While some people can plan their lives down to the smallest detail, others simply plan the bigger things and let other things fall in place. Whichever you are, ensure you plan regardless. You don’t have to write down each and everything you will do, how many times you will go to the bathroom or which lipstick to wear on Wednesday. Focus on important things like getting to work on time, having the necessary documents ready for your first task, reading ahead for your next class or seminar, etc.

    The purpose of organizing your week is so that everything does not overwhelm and choke you. When you know what you’ll be dealing with beforehand, it will be less tasking and less stressful for you to handle. Of course, unexpected tasks or circumstances may spring up, but that is all the more reason to be prepared. Imagine having so many things to do at once and then to top it off, your car breaks down. The frustration is enough to have you growing grey hair! If you have everything neatly planned out, minor setbacks will not set you back so much.

    Depending on your occupation and how cluttered your week can get, you will need to spend an hour or so planning out your week. That one hour of planning can help the next 120 hours of the coming week be less cumbersome.

    5. Set Priorities

    When planning out your week, it is important to set priorities. So, spending 2 hours on your makeup and outfit everyday may not be worth it. Write out your goals for the week, and assign deadlines to each one. For this to be effective, you have to minimize procrastination as much as possible. If you set a task for 10:00 a.m. on Monday, do it at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, not 10:25 a.m. on Monday or 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, unless entirely necessary.

    Put the most important goals at the top of your list and check them off as you accomplish them. That way, you track your progress (please note, it doesn’t have to be pen and paper, your smartphone is even much better to help with this).

    6. Condition your mind for a productive week

    They say mindset has a lot to do with how productive you are. Well, I don’t know who “they” are but “they” are right. If you go into the new week sad, anxious or worried, you are likely to have a bad week just as you imagined.

    Now, breathe. Acknowledge that you will have a number of things to do. But also acknowledge that you will do them all on time and do them well.

    Have a positive mindset about the coming week. Think of it as an opportunity to be productive, to meet and spend time with people, and to draw closer to achieving your goals. This way, you will not dread the week, but instead look forward to it, live in the moment and enjoy the moment.

    7. Pick out outfits for the whole week

    This might seem obvious but it actually isn’t. Many of us just wing it and pick the first thing we see in our closet on a Monday morning. Alas, I tell you – there is a better way. Supposing you followed the first thing on this list and did all your chores including laundry, you should have all your clothes clean and neatly ironed.

    Now, select outfits for Monday to Friday, even down to the shoes that will go with each outfit. Believe it or not, picking the right shoes is a real crisis that people experience when getting ready for work.

    If you’re going to wear a striped tie on Wednesday, do not pick out a dotted shirt for Wednesday. Knowing you look good will make you more confident to take on the week!

    8. Eating habits

    With busy schedules, it’s easy to lose track of eating healthy. You may not have time to cook during the week, but making an effort to plan your eating habits on Sunday will go a long way in helping you stay healthy.

    While your meals may most often be take outs, try to fit in healthy meals you can quickly cook when you get home or order more healthy meals throughout the week.

    You can even cook one or two meals on Sunday that you can store in the freezer and warm up after a long day at work. Of course, they may not last you the whole week, but it will give you a kick-start.

    9. Do something that interests you

    Make an effort to learn something that you find interesting and start practicing it every Sunday. By the end of the year, you would have mastered it and added value to yourself.

    This could be playing an instrument, a sport, dancing, or even spending more time with your kid, dog or that special someone.

    10. Finally, relax

    After planning out your week and putting everything in order, you my friend, deserve to relax. Treat yourself, go for a massage, take a very long bubble bath – whatever you find relaxing, do it. Without proper rest and relaxation, all the above mentioned will be in vain.

    You need to go into the week refreshed and ready to take on the world. You know what they say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull dog,” or something like that. Similarly, all work and no play makes you an unproductive…you. Take care of you, I mean, all of you.

    Make this week a great one!

    So, you see, having a productive week has a lot to do with what your Sunday looks like.

    If you ever felt like your week starts from Monday, well, it is clear that it should start from Sunday, with a plan, a positive mindset, priorities, and relaxation. You never know how much more you could accomplish if you weren’t always tired, anxious or stressed.

    Make an effort to do these 10 things every Sunday so that you can enjoy a productive week. With consistency, you are sure to see progress. It may not be easy, and you may feel tempted to crawl into bed and stay there the whole day, but remember, a little goes a long way. A little time spent planning will go a long way in ensuring a productive week, and invariably, a productive lifestyle.

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    10 Things To Do Every Sunday For A Productive Week

    This post originally appeared on MindHerWay.com as 10 Things To Do Every Sunday For A Productive Week and has been republished with the permission of the author.

  • 20 Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    20 Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    If you have some time on your hands, or if you’re stuck at home without anything to do, it’s easy to start to feel bored. However there are quite a number of productive things to do at home when you are bored. And it can be pretty fun too.

    Everyone goes through a phase of boredom at one point or the other but boredom can be conquered by following these 3 simple steps:

    1. Understand what boredom is and what it can cause.
    2. Have some effective strategies in place that you can use to fight boredom immediately when it kicks in.
    3. Have a list of productive and fun activities to do that will help you break out of boredom.

    Boredom is a feeling caused as a result of monotony in daily activities, lack of energy, lack of motivation, procrastination, loneliness, being idle or not finding anything interesting to do.

    But sometimes, you could be surrounded with people and things to do but still be bored. Sigh, it’s way better to be bored alone than to have someone actually boring the remaining life out of you!

    Now, there is a difference between being lazy and feeling bored. Laziness refers to when a person is just lounging around and doesn’t put any effort into doing anything, while boredom means not having much to do or not motivated to do anything.

    20 Fun & Productive Things To Do At Home When Boredom Strikes

    Productive things to do at home when bored

    As the saying goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. Therefore, you need to get your hands or mind busy in a positive way as much as you can, in order to fight boredom, which may lead to having terrible thoughts or doing things you don’t really want to (like overeating).

    Below are 20 fun and productive things to do at home when you find yourself feeling bored. They won’t just help you pass time when you’re bored, but will also be productive and fruitful for your personal development.

    1. Learn a new skill

    What better way to kill boredom than to equip yourself with a new skill? There are different types of new skills you could learn that will even help you forge ahead in whatever career you already have at hand.

    The good news is that you can learn most of these skills online for free, examples are: digital marketing, graphic design, photography, content creation, e.t.c. The bad news is…well there’s no bad news, you have no excuse not to learn that skill now, especially if you’ve got the time!

    Learning a new skill can be a very exciting and fun thing to do. It could even make you money in the long run if you decide to offer it as a service to other people (which I’m pretty sure you want to do because it seems in 2020, everyone wants to make a bit of extra money )!

    2. Improve your existing skills

    You probably have a certain skill you have learnt before, but you just abandoned it or you haven’t made any move to find out the new development in that field—now is the time to find ways to improve on that skill.

    Times are always changing, as change is the only constant thing in life. The only way to stay on top of your game with any skill you have is to constantly change with the times by learning and practicing the newly introduced developments in that are. And the best time to do this…is…drum roll…when you’re bored, since you know, you’ve got the time.

    3. Learn a new language

    Learning a new language is a very interesting practice to engage in and it might come in handy for you at anytime. A lot of people have always had the intention to learn a new language but they always postpone it due to lack of time.

    Learning a new language broadens your mind, and gives you a view of other cultures and ways of life. You might even decide to visit the place where the language is spoken someday and you will be able to actively communicate with the people.

    You don’t necessarily have to go to a language learning center or take a physical course in school to learn a new language anymore, everything can be learned online. And some platforms even offer it for free (whoop whoop)!

    4. Read

    Reading is a very exciting thing to do, be it fiction or non-fiction. You either learn a thing or two, get entertained or possibly get more motivated. In times when you are bored or don’t have anything to do, reading can be a good way to pass time effectively.

    5. Do a physical workout

    Physical workout is not just a way to help you fight boredom, it also helps you stay healthy and fit.

    Have any unwanted belly fat? You can actually get rid of it when you’re bored!

    You can go for a run or do indoor exercises, whichever works for you is fine. There are plenty of free exercise classes online. The end result is what matters.

    6. Keep your mind busy and brainstorm

    Great ideas are born out of mere thoughts and as Napoleon Hill said, “Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes”. The best time to brainstorm and formulate new ideas is when you are bored and doing nothing productive.

    Let your mind wander, bring up different scenarios, think about what a certain action you implement will lead to. Just free your mind and think strategically.

    Who knows, you could come up with a brand new business idea, or a best seller book idea. Or if you’re stuck with a particular problem in some area of your life, you might finally come up with a good solution.

    7. Empty your mailbox or messages and send responses

    Clean your inbox - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Reading through your messages and mail can be tiring sometimes. And even when you read them you might not have enough time to send back responses immediately. That’s why it’s so easy to just let the messages pile up. And pile up. And then you see the number of messages keep growing, and it makes it even more daunting to tackle that inbox. (I’m definitely guilty of doing this).

    The perfect time to get your inbox back in order is when you are bored. Open your mailbox or messages, read through the important ones, delete the unimportant ones and respond to those you should.

    Before you know it, you have gotten that out of the way and you also beat boredom all at once. And your future self will thank you for it. Definitely one of the more productive things to do at home when you are bored. 

    8. Check up on family and friends and spend time with them

    Caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we don’t always have the time to check up on those dear to us or even spend time with them. Pick up your phone to call them today and ask how they are doing. Visit them if you can and spend quality time with them.

    9. Adopt a new hobby

    Hobbies are things we love to do and find joy in doing. Everyone has one or two hobbies, but it doesn’t hurt to have more up your sleeve in order to beat boredom.

    There are a wide variety of hobbies a person can choose from; singing (basically everyone’s hobby in the shower), swimming, photography, writing, reading, sightseeing, cooking, painting, drawing.

    The list is endless and all you have to do is try some out (or all of them) one at a time in order to decide which one works best for you.

    10. Take a walk

    Taking a walk is a very therapeutic thing to do, it helps you clear your head, think better and breathe in fresh air (or run into that cute boy down the street).

    One of the best things you can do for yourself when you are bored is to take a long walk down your block or to a serene place, appreciate nature in all it’s glory, breathe in fresh air and be refreshed.

    11. Plan your next trip

    We all deserve a little bit of fun and there are places we can go to in order to make that a reality. But just going to places isn’t all of the fun. Planning your trip can be just as much fun!

    So plan that next a fishing trip, a boat cruise, a mountain hike, or visiting a new place you really want to see. Anything fun that catches your fancy. 

    12. Watch an informational movie or documentary

    Watching movies or documentaries that you can learn something from is a very fun way to alleviate boredom. Not only are you getting entertained, you also get to learn one or two things. So grab some popcorn, put on something interesting and chill.

    13. Listen to music

    Who doesn’t love some beautiful sounds and lyrics to the ears? As Billy Joel said, “I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”

    You want to kill that boredom? Plug in your earphones, put on that stereo and play that music you love. If possible dance to it, reflect on it and let it warm your heart. You will be glad you did it.

    14. Create something

    Creation is the whole essence of life, the world was created and so were we.

    There are different things you could get your hands on and create. It could be as simple as planting a new flower, creating a photo book, or a drawing.

    You are not limited, all you have to do is create something, anything. It doesn’t just cure boredom, but it also heightens your creativity level and gives you a sense of achievement.

    15. Evaluate your progress

    One very good time to reflect and evaluate how far you have gone with your plans, goals and aspirations is when you are bored.

    You’ll be able to critically think about all that you have done to work towards your goals, how successful your steps have been, and what you need to stop doing or start doing more of. This way, you give yourself a fresh perspective and a new start if needed.

    16. Socialize and network

    The truth is, you will always need people in whatever endeavor you choose in life. And what better way to meet more people than to network and socialize.

    This can be done in person by attending events or shows, but it could also easily be done via the internet if you’re stuck at home. The key is to reach out to people, spark interesting conversations, tell them what you do, exchange contacts and keep in touch.

    17. Meditate

    Meditate - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Meditation is the exercise of the mind.

    In the words of Pema Chodron, “Meditation is a process of lightening up, of trusting the basic goodness of what we have and who we are, and of realizing that any wisdom that exists, exists in what we already have. We can lead our life so as to become more awake to who we are and what we’re doing rather than trying to improve or change or get rid of who we are or what we’re doing. The key is to wake up, to become more alert, more inquisitive and curious about ourselves.”

    By meditating, you are training your mind to focus, redirecting your thoughts positively and letting go of stress. It is a very effective and productive way to overcome boredom.

    18. Take a Nap

    Okay, this does not look so productive at first glance, but the body (and mind) need adequate rest to function well. Instead of worrying about how bored you are, why not just lay down and take a nap?

    Not only are you eliminating your boredom by doing this, but you are also giving your body and mind the adequate rest that it deserves. This can be especially helpful if you don’t normally get a good night’s rest.

    19. Write something

    Writing - Productive Things To Do At Home When You Are Bored

    Anais Nin said, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect”, and I absolutely agree.

    Writing helps your mind to travel far away with imagination. It helps you to understand things that are blurry and helps you put tiny shattered pieces of thought together.

    You can write about absolutely anything.  Putting pen on paper or typing out those words helps you free your mind. Just keep scribbling without stopping and without judgement. You’ll be surprised that the words make so much sense to the next person. Writing is a therapeutic way to beat boredom.

    20. Eliminate procrastination

    Procrastination has always been said to be “ the greatest thief of time”.

    Sometimes you have so much to do, that it starts to seem overwhelming, and then you abandon it all and instead begin to complain of boredom. You need to stand up now, motivate yourself and get back to what you really should be doing instead of moping around and complaining of boredom.

    Postponing what you should do now till later won’t make you any better or more relaxed, because you still have that particular thing hanging over your head. Get up and start doing something.

    So, dear friend, it’s okay to get bored, don’t we all? But the right thing to do is find a way or ways to get out of it before it eats you up.

    How much better if it’s something that will also end up being productive for you in the end. Explore new things, find new ideas and build on existing ones. Doing the things highlighted in this article will be your easy way out of boredom.

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