In this 9 to 5 lifestyle, the only thing that can help us climb the ladder is productivity. However, when our life is full of distractions, indolence, and poor focus, productivity can take a hit.
But who says we cannot find a solution to boost our productivity?
In fact, this article is just the solution you need.
Habits that will Skyrocket your Productivity
Here are 11 habits that can skyrocket your productivity.
Doing difficult tasks first
Habits that will Skyrocket your Productivity
We tend to undertake easier tasks first when actually we should do the opposite. Taking up difficult tasks first can enable you to perform much better, all because your mind functions better at the beginning of the day than at the end.
Furthermore, getting done with challenging tasks can certainly provide you relief.
Stay away from social media
Do you sit for work, only to open up your phone to scroll social media moments later? Well, then it is a no-brainer that it’s a distraction you need to stay away from.
Function on a schedule, have a plan
I am certain you must have a lot on your plate. Having said that, dealing with all the tasks without a systemic approach can create a lot of mess. However, having a plan can save your day by keeping you more systematic and organized.
Group your tasks
You are doing it all wrong if you keep on jumping from one heterogeneous task to another.
Why? Because when you do so, you will facilitate your brain to readjust from time to time. As a consequence, you will find it hard to perform more efficiently.
Wake up early
Well, this is probably the most difficult challenge for all the night owls and morning sleepers out there. But if you have to be productive, it’s a must.
Waking up early has a lot of benefits that you cannot pass on.
Makes you feel that you have additional hours to the day.
Your mind functions better early in the morning. Therefore, better focus and concentration.
Allows you to have your me-time.
Prevents the morning rush
One task at a time
In this fast pacing world, multitasking is considered a boon. However, if you want to be productive, we suggest you avoid it altogether.
Precisely because, when you finish one task, rather than doing multiple tasks in bits and pieces – your stress is likely to diminish drastically.
Following your own system
By system, we mean your approach to doing your work. Everyone has different approaches to work. One that works for someone, might not work for another. Therefore, find your own system. It will take a hit and trial method, but you will find it.
For instance, some people function better by listening to music while working. As for the other, it sabotages their concentration. This is what a system is, the one that works for you better.
Do not neglect breaks (But do not overdo them)
Being productive doesn’t mean you have to work for hours without a break, only to be dead tired by the end of it. Instead, it means working efficiently with a chilled mind. This is what productive breaks facilitate, they help you to focus better, and perform better.
Plan the night before
Chores can hamper your productivity by adding up to your already hectic schedule. Therefore, if you want to have a productive day, plan the chores the night before.
Exercise
Exercising has multiple benefits. One of the many is that it promotes better focus and concentration. And since we are talking about productivity, these two elements are the pillars of productivity.
Set a mail time
Reading emails is one of the most time-consuming tasks of the day. Therefore, you do not need to keep your mail tab opened all the time. Instead, set a time for mail reading. Doing it after completing a hectic task is a great idea since it involves less effort and can act as a cooldown.
Last but not the least
Do not perceive boosting productivity as a challenge. It is easy, you just have to embrace some habits. All the best! You got this!
Hey there, how do you stay productive? Feel free to share your hacks and tricks with us in the comment section.
Hygge and Minimalism are the two popular concepts these days. Honestly, when I first heard of the Danish concept Hygge, I didn’t think that it would fit in with minimalism. That’s because I thought Hygge was all about creating cozy spaces with lots of candles, books, hot drinks, blankets, and pillows while minimalism was all about decluttering your space.
But, there’s a lot more common between these two philosophies than it looks like. After practicing them both for a long time, I realized that in the end, they promote similar values. For starters, they both require you to be mindful and intentional and guide you to live a meaningful life.
So, today I want to make work easy for you. I’ll dive deeper into the concepts of these two philosophies and explain how they complement each other in many ways.
How Hygge and minimalism go together
To understand that first, we have to understand the roots of Hygge and Minimalism and what they represent today.
What is Hygge?
Pronounced as HOOGA, it’s a popular Danish concept that originated in 1800. It’s quite difficult to explain Hygge because there is no direct English translation. But, it can be described as slowing down, being present in the moment, and finding contentment in everyday life.
Hygge is not about warm places, hot drinks, cozy blankets, and stuff like that, they’re just a part of it. You taking time to create a cozy space for yourself and later enjoying the quiet time mindfully is the real essence of Hygge.
How to get Cozy without the Clutter
What is Minimalism?
People often confuse a minimalist lifestyle with minimalistic designs. Plain white rooms, with a few pieces of essential furniture, is not the only thing that minimalism conveys.
Minimalism essentially means intentionally figuring out what actually matters to you the most or what adds value to your life, then removing everything that distracts you from focusing on those things.
It is not just about clutter around your house, it’s also about the clutter in your mind. Minimalism guides you to get rid of everything (a piece of furniture, a toxic relationship, a philosophy of life that’s not working for you, etc.) that buffers you from focusing on what’s important and helps you to live a mindful and simpler life.
Minimalism and Hygge – a combined concept
So, if Hygge is all about slowing down and cherishing simple moments, then it’s quite easy to spot how minimalism and Hygge go together.
Let’s discuss more, the word “hyggelig” represents a nice and clean home without clutter, but it must have a comfortable and warm atmosphere.
Clutter is actually considered an enemy of coziness when it comes to Hygge. That’s obvious because the more clutter you’ll have the more distracted you’ll be and that will totally buffer you from enjoying simple moments in life.
Moreover, Hygge and Minimalism both rest on one thing – Intentionality.
Let’s understand this by an example – Instead of stuffing their homes with the latest gadgets and high-quality couches, Hygge enthusiasts will intentionally focus on creating a homey atmosphere.
In the same manner, Minimalists will intentionally prioritize using simpler things to maintain their focus on what’s important.
Hygge and Minimalism, both are tools that you can utilize to live an intentional life full of contentment and gratitude.
So, that’s how both of these philosophies overlap. But, how can you combine them in your life?
Here are a few practical tips for the same –
Buy only those things that you love and use. Find a balance between functionality and joy.
Stick to a neutral color scheme for your home. This is important to create relaxing spaces.
Use dim lights and candles (be sure that they don’t emit strong fragrances) to create a warm radiance.
Prioritize different areas of your life. Find comfort in everything that you do. Invest only in the things that you truly value.
Don’t decorate your home to show-off. Decorate only if you love to do it.
To conclude
Hygge is about simplifying and surrounding yourself with the things that you love and value. It’s not about extravagance, but taking pleasure in the simplicity of your surroundings. This is exactly similar to what minimalism conveys.
While we love the cozy feeling of a cluttered home, it’s not always practical (or healthy). If you’re looking to simplify your life, start by decluttering your home and living room. Get rid of any furniture pieces that don’t serve a purpose or take up too much space. Utilize storage spaces to keep your living area tidy and organized. And finally, follow our great tip for taking just 20 minutes each day to live a clutter-free life. How are you going to take these steps to achieve a minimalist lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!
From kindergarten to adulthood, we all have learned that plastic is our foe and a nemesis to our environment. However, we have made it our best friend. If you need proof, look around your house and count things made out of plastic. I bet there is plenty.
But you are not alone. The few reasons we have refused to let go of plastic is because it’s cheaper and convenient to use. But isn’t it hassling for our environment and our health? Not only does it takes millions of years to decompose, but it also produces harmful toxins when burnt – Believe it or not, we as a species are on death row if we don’t change our ways at the earliest.
Our environment has been nothing but kind to us. We owe it that much to protect it. We cannot be selfish anymore, especially if we want our children and our children’s children to enjoy Earth.
Therefore, if you seem to agree, consider switching to a zero-waste lifestyle. It will not only save the environment but will also improve your way of life.
10 things for a zero-waste lifestyle
1. Use everything reusable
Our environment will be blessed if you just start with the kitchen. It includes boycotting tissue papers and disposable plates. Not only are they hard to recycle but also increase wastage tremendously. You can do better than that.
Having said that, switch to cloth napkins and steel/ glass utensils; you might not be exactly pleased washing the dishes, but it would be worth it if it does wonders for the environment. And if you have kids, this is a great opportunity to teach them how to wash dishes! Add it to their chore list and you are free from having to do dishes!
2. Be minimalist
The fewer things you own, the fewer things you will throw away, which ultimately means less burden on the environment. Hence, don’t live by the materialistic approach; on the contrary, become a minimalist. If you buy something, don’t buy extra. Likewise, don’t buy anything you wouldn’t need.
If you need help getting started in Minimalism, I have a whole category on it! Click the Minimalism category on the right here and get started!
3. Switch to glass bottles and glass jars
As I said before, it starts with the kitchen. Ditch the old plastic jars and plastic bottles today. Instead, go for more sustainable alternatives – the glass ones.
4. Make compost at home
Love to plant and maintain your own garden? Well, I’ve got good news for you. You can use your food waste to compost. Composting can help you convert food waste into fertilizers that will be a god-sent for your garden. (While you are at it, consider planting your own veggies. It’s healthy, easy on the pockets, and great for the environment)
Although I do understand that it might seem gross to you initially if you do it organically – but bear with it, focus on the result and benefits. However, you might spare yourself the trouble if you have composting communities or authorities near you.
5. Avoid leftovers, always make and consume as much as you can take
The goal is to reduce wastage, and let’s be honest for a moment – most of our wastage results from food. We waste too much food. So, stop that. Only eat what you can, and in the quantity, you can. The same goes for cooking – only cook that much which you can consume.
Additionally, if you have leftovers, make it a goal to finish them first, before cooking/buying something else.
The same goes for eating out or delivery — only order what you can eat and don’t bring the rest home. If you must, ask the restaurant if they have a plastic alternative you can use.
6. Don’t come back home with plastic bags
From grocery shopping to clothes shopping, we come back home with tons of plastic bags. No surprise as to why most of our homes are filled with it. It’s high time to boycott that.
If your local supermarket stores don’t understand that, be the bigger person. Take your own cloth bags or vegetable trolley, but whatever you do, don’t come back home with plastic bags. You can find some really cute ones on Etsy or from local makers, like some of the ones at Made with Love Market.
The same goes for plastic bottles, always keep a glass/copper one in your car. Refill it but don’t buy the packaged ones.
7. Always recycle
Recycling things might not be easy, but thanks to the growing environmental awareness, you can find various bodies that provide recycling services. From paper to tech accessories, you can recycle most of the products you buy that are not made of plastic.
Be sure to check with your local recycling company through the town or city as they may provide you with an extra bin for recycling free of charge.
8. Buy from local suppliers
Wondering how? Well, in a nutshell, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint if you choose local suppliers over commercial ones. Look for your local farmers markets and buy from them. There have to be local beekeepers and local gardeners which you can purchase your products instead of going to the big box stores. It helps support the local economy as well as helps you reduce some of the local allergies you might have. If you don’t have a local farmers market, consider growing your own veggies and fruits like we are doing with our AeroGarden.
9. Go digital
Gadgets have made lives easier. Surprisingly, they have made things easier for the environment as well – at least when we are talking about reduced dependence on paper. Thus, take advantage of digitization to save the trees. Switch to E-newspapers, don’t go for paper bills, and invest in a kindle/iPad to read documents and books digitally. Doing so helps reduce the clutter in your home as well, which is a win for you and your family!
Well, that will do to get you started. Remember, the key is not perfection, but consistency. Don’t make changes for a while and be done with them – instead, make them a part of your lifestyle. Live with them. At the same time, don’t depend on others. If they are not smart enough to help the environment, that’s their loss – You do your job!
When it comes to changing our ways of life, we can be quite reluctant. That is to say, we can go nuts bearing its sheer monotonousness, and captivity but would not dare to take steps to change it. Well, all thanks to our comfort zone and fears.
Nevertheless, no matter how relatable it may sound to you. But it’s not the right way to live life. When you know you can change for good, then you must! It will be hard, but good things are never easy, right?
So, let 2021 be the year to make this much-needed change.
This guide is all you need.
A step-by-step plan to reset your life in 2021.
1. Identify your goals
You are not living up to the best of your potential if you are operating without goals. Goals are imperative not just because they provide you a direction, but because they help you stay on track by keeping you systematic and motivated.
But to set goals, you need to identify them, and it’s pretty simple. You just have to make a list of things you want from the year. These are the goals you have to work for.
2. Create a routine
When you know your goals, you have to figure out how to achieve them. The solution here can be following a routine. Following a routine means, you are not just doing it for the time being, it means you are making the particular tasks a part of your lifestyle.
The idea behind having a routine is that you make everyday count such that it doesn’t feel like a burden and you feel good about yourself. Therefore, plan out your day. Picture how you want your day to be. Would you want it to be highly productive, or would you want to balance it while enjoying your life as well? Whatever your call is, prepare a routine considering it.
3. Be accountable
You must go with this approach- whatever you do, whatever you achieve, you are the only one accountable for it, no one else.
When you hold yourself accountable, you would do tasks much more responsibly. Moreover, you’d try the best you can to get out of a situation you are stuck in, knowing you are the one responsible for the pause.
A possible downside to it is that sometimes people start blaming themselves when things go wrong. You do not have to do that because it does nothing but shatter your confidence, let alone waste your time. Therefore, when you do something wrong, do not blame yourself instead focus on trying to find a solution.
Do not get lazy.
The only reason why new-year resolutions fail is that we get lazy. We refuse to make efforts out of indolence. But you have to remember that indolence will only restrict you; it is an obstacle that you have to overcome. The only way to do that is to push yourself.
How can you do that? By abiding by the principle, if you can, you will. That is to say, every time you do not do things you planned to, ask yourself, why? Do you have a genuine reason? Perhaps an important meeting to attend or you’re sick? If you do not have a genuine reason, and you can do a task, then push yourself to do it.
4. Tracking your progress
When you are not tracking your progress, you are mindlessly going with the flow. And when you do that, you miss the opportunity of making your wrongs right.
Tracking your progress is significant for evaluating your strategies. You won’t know if they are feasible when you do not stop for a moment to gauge your progress. Furthermore, tracking your progress can help you stay motivated. When you see the results, you’ll want to continue.
So, do not skip monitoring!
We’re all done here. I hope we were of even a little help in resetting your life for good. Let us know if this guide works for you. Wish you a nice and productive day!
Feel free to drop by our comment section to state your opinions and ideas. We look forward to them.
We can go on blaming everyone else for our life, but never for a moment, it occurs to us that we are the captain of this sailing ship. That is to say, we can improve our life, change it if we decide it can change.
But how do we do that, how do we improve our lives?
Well, here’s how. Just sit back and read along.
87 Tiny ways to improve your life
Accept your flaws
Overcome your shortcomings
Practice kindness even when you do not receive it.
Be grateful for the things you have instead of complaining about the things you don’t.
Forgive someone for not them but yourself. Do not let grudges corrupt you.
Learn a new skill.
Don’t try to be the best, try to be better.
Start saving money
Acknowledge someone’s hard work.
Read books
Exercise and eat healthy
Increase productivity
Do not let anger ruin things for you.
Learn to control your emotions.
Wake up early.
Enjoy a hobby
Donate blood.
Do things that you are afraid of.
Stop making excuses.
Boost your confidence.
Talk to more people.
Be a better listener.
Function on a plan.
Set goals and targets.
Always surround yourself with motivation.
Do things that make you happy.
Do not brag.
Maintain a journal.
Read a newspaper.
Recycle more.
Cut yourself some slack when you have to.
Try to be more in the real world than the virtual world.
Console a friend when they are down.
Collect little and basic knowledge of every field.
Admit when you are wrong.
Kill that ego.
Be patient.
Do not take everything as hate, rather constructive criticism.
Cut out toxic people from your life.
Do not leave tasks unfinished, give things closure.
Be an optimist.
Be systematic and organized.
Do not procrastinate. Rather believe in Now or Never.
Talk to people about their aspirations.
Take responsibility for your own chores.
Do not be dependent on others for anything.
Challenge yourself every now then.
Learn to let go.
Be an opportunist.
Have faith in yourself.
Spend time with your loved ones.
Pamper yourself from time to time.
Make everyday count.
Learn a new word every day.
Do not let laziness stop you from doing things you must.
Walk more.
Reach out to people with whom you have lost contact.
Sleep on time.
Practice breathing exercises.
Cut out distractions.
Always keep smiling. Do not stress over trivial things.
Do not overthink. Focus on actions.
Always volunteer for new endeavors.
Picture yourself how you want everyone else to picture you.
Have morning rituals.
Find beauty in chaos. In other words, look for good aspects in the worst of things.
Do not lose yourself in testing times.
Do not care what others think because no matter what you do, they will always have opinions.
Learn to say NO when you have to.
Meditate.
Declutter your home.
Set financial goals.
Invest in stock and other financial assets.
Learn to take risks. But do not overdo them.
Always aim higher.
Be clear about your boundaries.
Fulfill commitments.
Always try to think out of the box.
Maintain a balance between work and life.
Explore things around you.
Do not always complain, accept tough days as challenges.
These ways and methods will not significantly change your life overnight. It will take time and you also have to remember that every little effort contributes in some way.
Hey there, just wondering if there’s something you have to say about the article or life in general. Feel free to head to our comment section.
Valentine’s is around the corner and I’m sure you would be planning it in your own special way. However, this year is quite not the same. With COVID hitting hard, it has forced us to think of alternatives for everything. This indeed affects the way we celebrate V-day just as all other special occasions. If you are looking for spending this Valentine’s Day in a special way while stuck at home; you’re in the right place.
12 Date Night Ideas for Lockdown
Here’re 12 romantic date night ideas to celebrate V-day during lockdown:
Love Potion
Celebrate this V-day by involving in some romantic activities at home. Make some yummy cocktails or mocktails and grab your chance to spend time together.
Take it up a notch and create some fun ice cubes with heart molds with some fresh fruit to add a little pizzazz to the drink.
Virtual trip
Go on a tour at your favorite place right from the comfort of your couch, thanks to Google StreetView. Isn’t it amazing to see the Eiffel tower without even leaving home?
Our favorite thing to do is pick out a place we’d like to go house hunting, and hop on Realtor.com or Zillow to search houses, then get on Google StreetView to see what it would actually look like if we visited there.
Games
Playing board games will make you relive your childhood and you can bring back all the silly fun that you had as a kid.
List out the games that you both loved playing as a child OR you can totally get lovey-dovey and choose from Lovehoney’s special collection of romantic games or Fog of love.
Also, it’s not about winning, just enjoy and cherish every single moment that you spend together.
Stargaze
Who doesn’t find it romantic holding the hands of your partner and witnessing the little twinkles in the dark sky?
If you are living in the city without much light pollution, this is indeed the perfect date night plan. Grab a big, fluffy blanket and lay down in your backyard while having a dreamy time with your partner gazing at the stars.
Hold the hands and talk about your dreams, share your deepest feelings and just be in the moment.
Masterclass
How about learning something new together?
Take a course on Masterclass that you both have been eyeing on. The idea here is to learn something that interests you both while having fun. Bring the high school geek back in!
Bubble bath
Take a nice, long hot bubble bath together.
Light some candles, play soft music, drop in some lavender hot bombs, bring in some wine and get super cozy.
This is hands down the best date night idea when you cannot go out anywhere.
Couple’s bucket list
You can sit together and write down everything you wish to do. If you are travel bugs, write down all the places you wish to travel together and start saving for the same.
Make two columns named ‘the places you wish to visit’ and ‘the expenses needed’. You can then create a plan and figure out how to proceed further.
On our travel list is a trip to Bali, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Love Underwater
There’re lots of zoos and aquariums that are doing live streams these days. Wouldn’t it be super fun to watch exotic wildlife right beside your partner? I bet you don’t want to skip this.
Karaoke competition
How about having some fun singing competition with your partner?
Your partner would totally love this idea of having a sing-along break from the hectic, busy life.
Love hunts
Plan a treasure hunt and hide some romantic things at places your partner would never notice. It will be super fun watching your partner solve love-riddles.
Dinner for two?
Cook a delicious meal for your partner and make them lick their fingers. You can also plan to cook it together and have a candlelight dinner on the terrace. As cliché it may sound; candlelight dinners are the best for bringing old romance back.
Binge-watch series
Find a show that you both love and start a series marathon. We always end up watching Big Bang theory on a spree!!
Grab a blanket, pull up the sofa, and binge-watch your favorite series.
That’s all from my side. Are you ready to spice things up this Valentine’s? Do let me know which of the above activities you enjoyed doing the most.
with all the tasks without a systemic approach can create a lot of mess. However, having a plan can save your day by keeping you more systematic and organized.
different approaches to work. One that works for someone, might not work for another. Therefore, find your own system. It will take a hit and trial method, but you will find it.
because there is no direct English translation. But, it can be described as slowing down, being present in the moment, and finding contentment in everyday life.
get rid of everything (a piece of furniture, a toxic relationship, a philosophy of life that’s not working for you, etc.) that buffers you from focusing on what’s important and helps you to live a mindful and simpler life.
gratitude.
disposable plates. Not only are they hard to recycle but also increase wastage tremendously. You can do better than that.
on the right here and get started!
garden. (While you are at it, consider planting your own veggies. It’s healthy, easy on the pockets, and great for the environment)
packaged ones.
direction, but because they help you stay on track by keeping you systematic and motivated.
and you 
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