Productivity tips from an unproductive person

Sometimes I’m lazy. 

And you probably are too.

 

And unfortunately for us, being lazy and getting shit done do not go hand in hand. Ahhh if only...

 

So we got back from Europe a couple of days ago and I’m being lenient with my laziness.

But that doesn’t mean I’m sitting on the couch binging TikTok. 

Because I know the hacks to “trick” my laziness.

 

Wild right. 

So if you’re having a lazy day or week, here’s some “tricks” to reboot your system into doing some stuff. 

My digital planner is rife with stuff to do - overall “catch-up” tasks and new upcoming projects. It’s painful to look at and puts a knot in my stomach. 

So instead, I’ve ignored it 😂 (to a degree). 

I’ve opted for an analog planner until I get things under control. 

Why? There’s something grounding about writing your to-do list on paper. It’s less overwhelming and you can take it day-by-day. 

Grab a notebook or sticky note and you’re ready. Calm, cool and collected. 

Keep Lists Small 

I’m giving myself 2-4 tasks per day to complete from my "work to do list". Keep some stuff for tomorrow - it's okay.

This is instead of my usual ALL tasks in ONE and then scheduled panic when I do none of them. 

It’s achievable. And it’s dopamine hitting to complete all your tasks.

And hey, if you complete them all quickly you can add some more if you’re on a roll or go do something else. 

Personal stuff can flood your brain and those life admin tasks aren’t going anywhere. 

Something like appointments, plant revival, washing, basic “life admin”, seeing friends and hobby-catch-ups. 

Give yourself a "personal to-do list" and keep it next to your "work to-do list". 
 

This also only has 2-4 tasks.  

For me, these include gym, washing, grocery shopping, booking appointments, organising friend catch-ups, sketching or making Pinterest moodboards (for fun not work). 

Yep, you read that right. 

So when you’re doing a task from your work to-do list and you need a break from it, switch over the personal to-do list and don’t feel guilty about it. 

I started writing email flows this morning and then I was bored of it and I felt like sketching so I sketched for about half an hour. I got bored of this and went back to writing the email flows. 

Don’t punish yourself for wanting to do something else, just do it and then go back to work. 

Just do productive procrastination - not mind numbing like TV or scrolling TikTok. 

This my friend, will not make you go back to work. 

If you have an office 9-5, bring a book or or have a list of personal tasks to-do (just don’t tell your boss 😏). 

If you wake up and feel like it’s not a good day to be your work, then honour it.

It’s okay you lazy sod - I too wake up like this sometimes. 

When you wake up like this, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT numb your mind. No scrolling, no messages, no TV, no screens. 

You’ll feel worse, I promise. I’ve been there so so so many times. 

Instead? Choose low stimulus activity to slowly get into the day;
Draw, read, journal, go for a walk outside (not treadmill imo), go for a swim, get some sunlight, have a healthy breakfast, drink tea or coffee, do some washing or dishes for a quick dopamine hit, put your legs up on the wall and stare at the ceiling, stretch, have a chat to your pets or your plants or just do nothing.   

Then when you've finished easing into the day, tuck into work and don’t feel guilty about having a slow morning. 

*Please note, I respectfully understand this is only possible when you work for yourself or have a lenient work from home job. For those with a 9-5, just call in sick on these days and don’t feel guilty either. 

If you need to sit on the couch or in your bed to work, just do it. That’s all. 

Ah, a personal favourite hack that works 95% of the time. (Good percentage for a lazy person).

 

You’ve probably heard it but tell yourself you’ll just do 2 minutes of a task. One heading of an article or one stroke in your Illustrator - chances are you’ll keep going because you’ve already started. 

Sounds strange but it does work. Once you’ve got a little hit of dopamine, you’ll be coming back for more and be like “Why was I even putting this off? It’s so fun.” 

You’ve probably heard of the Pomodoro technique - 20 mins work and 5 minutes break. This usually works for me for a few rounds and then I just ignore it. 

If you've never tried it, give it a go, many people love it. 

I have this app called Study Buddy. It’s so buggy and poorly made but it's basically a little fella running through fields with some calming lo-fi music and it’s got a timer on it too. I ignore the timer but it does help me concentrate. 

Wear the same clothes and eat the same food everyday 

Boring I know. But the less decisions the better when you’re feeling like a lazy sod. 

I’ve got 2 comfy oversized t-shirts for my lazy days. Easy, quick and no decisions needed. 

I also have been having eggs and toast every day. Also easy, quick and no decisions needed. 

I hope that these hacks help you in the same way they helped me to write this Boring Issues today. 

Remember it’s okay to be lazy.

Just don’t be a mind-numbing, sit-around all day lazy sod.

Well, at least not as your regular default. 

Be a trick your brain, productive procrastination, lazy sod. 

Much love, 
Penelope 
xoxo