How to Stay Productive During COVID

We’re all processing the coronavirus. Everyday, news stations are reporting on both the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the death toll. We’ve all had plans delayed amid the pandemic. However, we can still be productive.

Think about hobbies or passions you want to spend more time on. Think about the things you’ve been pushing back for days, weeks or months. In a world where it seems like there’s not enough time to accomplish everything we want, it now feels like we have nothing but time.

Here are some ways I am using my time and some ways you can use yours.

Create a Vision Board

As a creative dreamer, I always fantasize about different stories I want to tell via blogs, films and television series. Since I wrote down my desires, I found pictures that mirrored my short-term and long-term goals including travel, screenwriting and my cultural influences.

If you are still figuring out what you want for yourself, write down what comes to mind. Find pictures in magazines or search Google Images. You can purchase a poster board at your local Walmart or Target store. You can also purchase it for $1 at Dollar Tree. If you have an empty box laying around, cut a piece off and use it.

Be intentional. Your vision board doesn’t have to look a certain way. Once you’ve added what you want, hang it up on your wall.

 

I completed my vision board last week and proudly hung it above my desk. Waking up every morning to my dreams staring me in the face motivates me and reduces my goal setting anxiety.

It forces you to make a plan to achieve your goals. It’s like, “This is what you want. So what are you doing to make it happen?”

If you are someone who loves planning, more power to you. Some people love the process of working backwards from the end goal to the daily activities they can implement now. Me, not so much.

Think about what’s doable for you. For example, my long-term goal is to become a full-time screenwriter. I write 15-20 minutes per day to build my writing muscle.

Start with bite-sized goals.

Go Outside

My body feels the most energetic when I’ve run two miles on the treadmill at my apartment complex’s gym, and completed six rounds of knee stretches and leg lifts. However, the luxury of going to the gym 2-4 times weekly is gone.

Instead, I walk around my neighborhood for 30-60 minutes every other day.  I enjoy thee cool spring breeze and the sun’s warm beams on my face.

Walk. Bike. Skateboard. Jog. Run. Dust off your in-home gym equipment.

We need fresh air for our sanity.  We need movement.

Engage in a Hobby and/or Passion

Whatever your interest is, start!

I’ve felt creatively inspired the past few weeks. I wrote two heartfelt poems in one sitting for the first time since 2017. It was cathartic to accept the loss of a friendship, own my truth and know I am okay.

Use Your Resources

Consider the alumni associations, meetups, online groups and organizations you’re involved in.

I signed up for numerous webinars and virtual meetups this month. Since I pay for a co-working membership, I joined virtual circles to meet new people, network with corporate pros and to reconnect with acquaintances in the entertainment industry.

As a General Assembly alum, I can access professional development webinars focused on career transitions and compensation negotiation. In addition, I am attending CRE-related webinars this week via my membership benefits as a real estate associate program alum.

There are many online resources you can take advantage of.

There’s a lot we can do to stay productive during this time. I encourage you to take time to look at what’s in front of you first.

What are you doing to stay productive?