If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do when you get home from work is to do anything. Going to the gym, getting housework done or even doing other work can be the last thing you want to do. This article will give you some tips on how to be more productive after work.
Start as Soon as You Get Home
A common mistake that many of us make is to go home with the intention of having dinner and then doing whatever it is you have to do. This is a huge mistake, as once you’ve had dinner you are too far gone into relaxation mode. Instead, when you go in, do whatever you need to do and then make dinner, this way you’ll still be in work mode and it will be easier to complete a task.
Get Out of the House
If you can’t be tempted away from the sofa once you get in, then stay out. If you need to do some extra work, side projects or work out, then make a location that isn’t home your first port of call. Head to a café, library or gym instead of straight home.
Give Yourself 10 Minutes and 10 Minutes Only
Give yourself 10 minutes every night where you have to get up and do something. If after 10 minutes you want to continue, then do so, but allow yourself a break if you don’t want to. Sometimes your brain lets you know when you’ve done too much.
Get Some Exercise
I’ve noticed that one of my best motivators after work is when I walk home when it’s sunny. The 35 minute-ish walk allows me to get my head out of the office and gives me that extra boost of energy to be productive for the rest of the night. These nights are when I get the majority of my housework done – in winter, not much gets done at all.
Schedule What You Have to Do
Think about what you need to do that night and schedule in your mind when you’re going to do things. One of the most common mistakes people make is giving themselves the option to not do what they need to do. Scheduling it will allow you to have it in your mind and emphasise the importance of getting the task done.
Get Up Early Instead
If you can’t do anything after work, no matter what you do, then try getting up earlier in the morning and get stuff done then. Some people are more productive in the mornings and you might not even know it.
Don’t Try and Do Something Every Night After Work
You want to make sure that you still have the option to chill out in front of the couch during the week. Overpacking your schedule can be extremely daunting and can demotivate you even more. It’s important to have some time to yourself to be able to relax, no matter how busy you are.
Avoid Caffeine or Plan It Out Right
The caffeine crash is one of the most common things that makes people extremely lethargic after work. The best way to avoid this is to avoid it all together but if you’re like me caffeine is unavoidable during the work day. So if you can’t ditch it completely, effectively time when you have a coffee. Instead of having 3 coffees in the morning and none in the afternoon, have one in the morning, one around lunchtime and one around 4pm, this way you’ll have enough energy all day and begin to crash around the time you’d be going to bed.