“First of all, think about your happiness”: how to work productively and not burn out

1. Don't do everything at once

Paradoxically, to achieve more, you need to work less. Many start to implement several projects at once, but in the end they do not have time to do anything. This is especially true for entrepreneurs and freelancers. They often work on several tasks at the same time to make money.

This will come in handy when you need to pay off a debt or quickly save up for something. But if you do it all the time, your work will only suffer. Stress will rise and efficiency will decline.

Do less, but better. Then you will get more for your work.

2. Think about your happiness first, not your productivity

Happiness and contentment in life are the keys to success and productivity, not the other way around. Therefore, first of all, you need to focus on your happiness.

Start with the following:

Each morning, write down five things you are grateful for in your professional and personal life.
Meditate for 20 minutes a day.
Watch comedies for a good mood.
Spend more time with those you care about, and stay away from toxic people.
Get out into nature.

3. Exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep

Sometimes you need to work overtime or make ends meet. Nobody is immune from this. In such cases, lifestyle and nutrition are usually the first to suffer. But this is a big mistake.

Energy is needed for productivity, and its body gets from movement, food and sleep. Don't neglect them. Although it takes more time to live a healthy lifestyle, it is well worth it. You will be more cheerful, and work will be easier. Here are some simple tips:

Eat healthy foods. Cut back on processed foods, sugar and salt in your diet.
Sleep for eight hours. To make the rest more comfortable, the room should be dark and cool.
Do 60 minutes three times a week. Combine strength training and high-intensity cardio workouts. Walk for half an hour every day and do a little warm-up.
Drink coffee only in the morning and no more than three cups. Take a break every two weeks to avoid addiction.

4. Take breaks correctly

If you take regular breaks but spend them on social media or video games, both your productivity and your health will suffer. To really relax, it's best to:

go in for sports;
meditate;
read;
chat (but not on social media);
take a walk on the street;
take up your hobby.

Do what helps you grow and stay active. You don't have to completely relax. This is also necessary, but not during work breaks.

5. Don't chase the ideal

We often compare our work not with past results, but with what we would like to see it ideally. Especially when something goes wrong with us. For example, a deal or a deadline is canceled. But don't forget that productivity is highly dependent on how much energy you have. You will not be energetic, trying to meet high expectations and berating yourself.

This is how you slowly undermine your happiness and life satisfaction. As a result, there is even less energy and desire to do something.

Stop wasting time comparing yourself to who you want to be. Better think about what you have already achieved. Look back and remember what you learned. This will help you feel grateful, and the current problems will seem less dire. As a result, you will feel a surge of energy and cope with tasks more efficiently.