In my last post, I set out things that affected my productivity and things that I found helpful in identifying what was having an impact on my motivation. I am still very much on a journey, and it is sometimes difficult for me to keep good habits going, with the hustle and bustle of life, but I have found some practical steps which have helped me to keep the flow in my productivity levels. Please see my last post ‹ Life Worth Living(IRL) — WordPress.com. Getting out of a rut is not easy. It takes time and patience to build new habits. I had to accept that I was not in the best place and some paradigm shifts.

To be transparent, I had reached a point where I did not want to struggle anymore. I had worked hard at school, fought hard to achieve a successful career against all odds whilst facing personal battles, had multiple grief over a space of five years and really thought I deserved to relax…for a very…long….time. I pursued the “soft life” as I thought I had earned it, but the soft life did not repay the favour. Whilst a few comforts in life are completely necessary for our wellbeing, seeking comfort and the “soft life” started to lead me into a “passive” state and as much as this was being promoted on social media etc. I knew that this was not what I needed. A life with purpose is what I want not a meaningless life being soft and comfortable all the time – as lovely as it sounds it is a road leading to nowhere.

With the help of some of my nearest and dearest , I was able to take a good look at myself and start a new journey. I found that getting productive again need not be complicated . You can take some simple steps which will get you right on your way but be patient with yourself, take it one step at a time.

What do you really want to do with your life ?

Having a clear idea of where you would like your life to go, is very important. See my post on “Purpose” which will follow soon but start writing down plans for your life.

In 2021 I started to feel tired all the time. I would sleep for 9 hours, get up and then by midday needed another nap! It took me a while before I realised things were getting out of hand – no matter how much I slept, ate well and drank coffee, I was still tired! On going to the doctor for a blood test, I found out that my iron levels were extremely low, and this was zapping my energy. I mean how can you focus when you are constantly sleepy?

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

It turns out I needed to make some adjustments to my health which after I did – felt like a new woman !

Are you Eating Well Enough?

Having recently spent time in Japan, I was quite impressed with how each meal was clearly carefully curated due to their medicinal and health benefits rather than just the taste. The Japanese have the highest life expectancy globally ( despite their legendary overworking culture), with an average lifespan of 84.6 years and this is due to a few key factors including their dietary habits – a traditional Japanese diet rich in fish, rice, vegetables, and fermented foods.

Sometimes we all need to get back to basics, eat good balanced and nutritious meals. I have a lot more energy when I do this and sometimes I take supplemental vitamins if necessary. Try to keep your water on your desk so you do not forget.

Why not try a Japanese or Mediterranean diet? if that is up your street, not only will you be looking after yourself, but you will be motivated by trying something new. Check with a medical expert that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals that you need before starting any strict diets.

Check your sleeping patterns are you getting enough sleep? 

As explained above, excessive tiredness could be a sign that you need to speak to your GP however sometimes it is waaay simpler than that… JUST GO TO YOUR BED!

For me, a good night’s rest is the difference between me feeling motivated to get my tasks done vs finding it difficult to even look at the tasks. Sleep resets our minds and bodies. If you are a night owl like me, then you are not going to be in bed by 8.00pm, (don’t kid yourself haha!) but it does mean that you have to keep a careful eye on the clock at nights to ensure you get enough rest. Do you feel rested when you wake up? If not try going to bed and waking up around the same times each day and see if this has influence on your overall focus. Try to leave the alarm out of the room on days you don’t need it and your body will naturally wake up when it feels rested – you will then know how much sleep you actually need.

Are you exercising enough?

When I was a child, activity just seemed like part of my DNA, we walked everywhere, we played sports, and we exercised without even realising it – I was not even remotely sporty. Fast forward to adulthood, plus my soft life era and I had forgotten the thing that used to help keep me energised – movement!

I know, most of our lives have become very sedentary, sitting at a desk all day, sitting in a car then sitting on the sofa, this has become the norm so much so that we forget that we were made to move! We go for a stroll and feel like we have run a marathon. It’s just not good enough, is it?

To be fair, in my soft life era, I walked a lot, but walking, although great exercise at first, was not enough for my body after a while – my body craved some strength training and flexibility exercises. For me, moving my body first thing gives me a jump start that makes me feel energised, focused and ultra productive – wait, it is almost as if… that is naturally what my body wants!

I often go for a jog, or I skip for about 20 minutes. Cannot get outside? Turn on your favourite tunes and dance or try a Pilates routine. Try it for a week and see how you feel! This has really worked wonders for me. I can focus so much better on my tasks after doing this. Challenge yourself, the fitter you get, the better it is for your health! You will also enjoy life much more!

Are you taking time to look after your wellbeing?

Of course, being productive is essential but for me being balanced means that I can work harder when I need to, enjoy life and not feel exhausted every day so I can show up as the best version of me most of the time! I look forward to my spa days every few months with a friend and also short trips away. As outlined above, the excessive “soft life” can be counterproductive, however, every now and then, take time to do something special for yourself to reward yourself for all your hard work.

Do you have a morning or evening routine where you look after your skin and hair? Why not build this into your week. What are your hobbies- dive into that. Writing is one of mine.

Take a break from your work in the evening and go for an evening prayer stroll. This works for me every time, clearing my mind and leaving me with that peace that I need. Connecting with God is the best way to get your mind body and spirit aligned – He knows what is best for you.

Take a little time each day to look after you and the rewards will be amazing!

Love and Blessings, from Amoya x