Productive ideas during the great lockdown

A lockdown can be a difficult and complex period, but it is also an opportunity we can take full advantage of this time. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can be productive due to lockdowns:

Plan your day -  It is not all work (chores & job). It is important that you plan your day and include other activities like rest breaks, exercise and time to socialize (digitally). Throughout this period, every day represents a new challenge. If you have no work, then your job is to continue to find a job. In this period of time, perhaps online full or part-time jobs.

Start Reading (again) - You probably have a backlog of books and articles you were intending to read before but simply didn't have the time. But in this lockdown, most of us should have some spare time to start reading or finish reading those saved books and articles.

No better time to learn - Whether it is to update yourself or learn a new skill you can now do so online! You can do a quick search via Google or Facebook to find free virtual learning events. Online course platforms like Coursera, edX, Udacity, Udemy, etc. offer a plethora of courses that you can choose from.

In addition to webinars directly related to your field, think of exploring some around self-care, mental health, career development, and other topics that will equip you with life skills to give yourself a refreshing change for work.

Revisit that shelved personal project - Take out that unfinished project, dig up those forgotten hobbies, and put your thinking cap on and try to figure out if you can work on it. A fresh perspective might actually help you come up with new ideas. A shift in focus is all it takes to do this.

Build connections - With social distancing, people are working from home and also spending more time on social media. Take the time to network or perhaps strengthen current relationships. It is also a good opportunity to make your social media presence and by extension your personal brand stronger.

Everybody is now talking about the current situation (pandemic, recession and the like issues) and sharing the challenges they’re facing, so it’s really quite easy to join the conversations right now and make yourself known. You can also reach out to potential collaborators through social media or via email.

Rest and recover - Being productive is not all about working. Use this time to take a break and hit the reset button on your life. Prior to this global pandemic and economic lockdown, our lives revolved around long hours, late nights, missed opportunities, working weekends, and little time for family and friends.

Now that you have the time, why not take it easy for a bit? Choose to rest, take time out for yourself, consciously practice self-care, enjoy a candlelight dinner with your spouse or play time with the kids, have video calls with your friends & extended family, and use this time to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.

This is sure to be a complex period, and also don't force yourself to be productive during this lockdown. And choosing that is okay, mental health comes first! Calm your demons, stay sane, and perhaps enjoy the things that spark joy since we are now navigating a very different world!

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time given to us.” - J.R.R Tolkien

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