My Secret for Staying Productive During the Workweek, as Told by a Solopreneur

No, it isn’t a special morning routine

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

When we have something to look forward to, it’s easier to push through the challenges ahead of said exciting thing. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or dinner with an old friend, having things to look forward to at the beginning of the week keeps the momentum of work alive.

This is why filling up my social calendar has become my secret weapon for staying on task during the week. Each Sunday, I look at the calendar (an actual calendar that hangs on my kitchen wall, not my Google Cal) to see what’s on tap for the coming days.

When I see events like “Book Club on Wednesday” and “Friday night drinks with Mike & Desiree,” I feel a jolt of excitement, which gets me through the tough work days.

Having designated things to look forward to — sports games, birthday parties, baby showers, walks with neighbors, and coffee dates with friends, in my case as of late — has become the key in keeping myself accountable for what I need to get done during the week to feel good about myself and my work.

Takeaway

It’s important to remember that our brains aren’t meant to be “on” 24/7. We’re like iPhones — we need charged when we’re running low, and every once in awhile we need to completely shut off in order to come back to reality more focused and energized.

Here’s another thing I do to keep my productivity high on days where it’s running low. Also, I don’t let myself look at any social media channels until my tasks are completed. Scrolling through Instagram for 5 minutes is like a mini reward for completing an article or making progress on my book. Chocolate brownies are nice rewards, too.