Productivity tips to kickstart a creative year!
Get, Set, Goal!
The new year is a fresh start for all of us. But it can be overwhelming, too. You probably got a list of things you're excited to work on, just like me. But as time passes, the list keeps getting longer and longer, thanks to all the new ideas that keep popping up in our heads. So, it would be great to share some productivity tips to help you keep up with your list in the coming year.
Athletes carefully plan their training schedule and exercises to hone their skills before a new season. Apart from a well-structured training regimen, they also plan their diet, sleep, and healthcare routine to ensure their bodies are in the best possible shape. Creative professionals, like artists and writers, might not rely on their bones and muscles to create, but maintaining good mental and physical health is just as crucial for staying productive and being at their best.
Many artists or people who work on computers and draw for extended periods tend to experience eye strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain. I used to suffer from severe pain in my drawing hand that would spread to my back, making sitting a literal pain in the butt. These symptoms would worsen when I had to work overtime and meet deadlines. The pain, coupled with added stress, would quickly spiral down and negatively impact my sleep cycle and emotional well-being.
After visiting multiple doctors, I realized the importance of prioritizing my overall wellness. Making minor adjustments to my daily routine has healed my muscle pains and other occupational health issues and helps me maintain consistent productivity even during unexpected work and life challenges.
Here are some easy-peasy productivity tips that are often overlooked:
You are what you eat!
I'm a huge fan of junk food. Whenever I feel stressed, I reach out to my favorites, which include ice cream, cookies, cakes, Mexican coke, and chips. But let's face it, turning to junk food won't solve the root cause of the stress. On the contrary, junk food lowers one's energy level and immune system.
A nutritionist teaches me how to eat healthier and listen to my body. It was really tough to change my eating habits at first, especially when I had to cut out many of my favorite foods, including a few food groups. But, once I started feeling and seeing the positive effects that healthy eating had on my chronic pains and health issues, I knew it was worth sticking to the new habit. Over time, I discovered that healthy eating improved my health and miraculously helped me prevent and reduce burnout and stress on tough days.
Maintaining a healthy diet is a simple and common-sense idea that is often ignored. Like an athlete's body, our brain is a complex muscle constantly at work. For us who use our brains to think and create, it is crucial to nourish and take care of them to continue to be creative and perform at our best.
“When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”
Ayurvedic Proverb
Next time you get the munchies, eat healthier snacks instead of junk food. And don't skip meals, even if you're busy. Eating something simple, like a bowl of soup or a salad, is better than letting your body run on empty.
Stay Hydrate
Our body is made up of around 55% to 60% water. But here's the thing: when sitting in front of our computer all day, we don't often think about staying hydrated and end up drinking caffeine to keep us going. Don't get me wrong, coffee, sugar, or energy drinks can give us a quick energy boost, but they can't replace water. Too much caffeine or sugar can crash our energy levels as soon as their effects wear off. So, it's always a good idea to drink enough water throughout the day and keep ourselves hydrated.
Did you know that even a bit of dehydration can mess with your brainpower? According to research, losing just 1% - 2% of your body water can impair your cognitive performance. And if you're looking for a quick productivity boost, try drinking some water! A study from 2013 found that people who drank water were around 14% more productive overall.
If you're not feeling plain water, try putting some fruits in it to give it more flavor. It tastes way better!
Allow yourself to unplug
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Even you.”
Anne Lamott
It's really tough to take a break when you're engrossed in a task or have a packed schedule. But, if you can take even a short break of 5-10 minutes, it can make a huge difference. It helps to reduce stress and clear your thoughts. Sometimes, taking a quick breather can give you a fresh perspective and lead to new and better ideas.
Good Night Sleep
Sleep might seem the opposite of productive, and who has time for rest when there's a never-ending to-do list, tight schedules, and deadlines?
Getting enough quality sleep is just as important as eating good food and staying hydrated. Sleeping takes up a third of our time, so it's a big part of our lives. If we don't get enough sleep, we can feel exhausted, grumpy, and even prone to depression.
We often push ourselves to work harder and stay up late to complete more tasks, but burning the midnight oil isn't always the best idea. When we're tired, it takes longer to finish a job and the chances of making mistakes increase. When we sleep, our body gets to repaired and rebooted. Getting an adequate sleep and waking up refreshed can help us make better decisions and increase productivity. So, it's important to allow ourselves to rest and take a break when needed.
“Discover the great ideas that lie inside you by discovering the power of sleep.”
Arianna Huffington
If you gotta work late, take a quick 15-20 minute power nap during the day or whenever you're feeling tired. It can give you a major energy boost!
Give yourself a little treat.
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
Eleanor Brown
Remember to give yourself a pat when you finish a task or reach a milestone. And remember to treat yourself from time to time - you totally deserve it! The treat doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive; even a small indulgence like a quiet me-time reading a book, a walk in the park, and taking time to enjoy your favorite drink can give you a big boost and increase your overall productivity.
Be kind to yourself
“With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am on my side, I am on my side, each day I am more and more on my own side.”
Susan Weiss Berry
As an artist or someone passionate about their work, I sometimes get frustrated with my progress and wish to improve faster. The urge to grow keeps us motivated and helps us achieve new goals. But, we are often too hard on ourselves. I once vented my lack of progress, frustration, and insecurities to my best friend. She calmly asked me to pause and retold my stories from a friend's perspective. That's when I realized I was being too harsh on myself.
We all feel insecure sometimes, and social media doesn't help! We're constantly bombarded with other people's shiny stories, which can make us feel inadequate. But remember, we all have insecurities and should never compare our weaknesses to another's strengths.
So, if you hear any negative voices in your head, just tell them to chill out! Instead, focus on the little wins you've achieved and celebrate each milestone. Speak to yourself kindly, as you would to your loved ones.
And remind yourself from time to time:
“You are amazing. You are good enough. You are worth it.”
These productivity tips aren't exactly new or exciting. But a lot can happen in a year, and being an artist is like a never-ending adventure with its ups and downs. Sometimes, it feels like a bumpy roller-coaster ride! So, it's important to have a strong mind and body to face it all. Be gentle and kind to yourself, and get ready to take on the world!
I wish you all a healthy, productive, and prosperous year!
That tense moment when you open the pantry and tell the junk food “we need to talk”