Hacks from a Psychology Minor

Welcome back to WIB’s 2023/2024 last summer season blog! 

Before we enter the world of chaos, in other words, student life, I would like to share some insights on how to stay productive and perform your absolute best while balancing school, work, clubs, personal commitments, and an essential social life. It can be challenging to juggle everything, so it is especially important to have support throughout this journey. As such, the hacks I will outline in this blog are for you to implement in your daily life and busy schedules for yourself. First of all, I am in no way an expert or qualified to give out professional advice, even with a psychology minor, which is what the instructors will tell you in your first psychology course. But we are going to let that slide for this blog.

There is a misconception regarding performance and productivity, in which people believe it merely takes some sort of strength or willpower to have these aspects. However, these understandings are far from the facts. According to a diverse range of research, many of these studies found that willpower provides limited support to being productive and performing well at a task(s). An individual cannot perform at their best with this element alone. Indeed, researchers have found that many people are unsuccessful with long-term goals or are discouraged and fail at completing big projects. The reason for this is that as soon as someone feels or has distress regarding their long-term objectives, they revert to old habits or ways and abandon their original plan. 

Furthermore, a lot of people only think of the worst when it comes to big objectives, which intimidates them in the first place and delays any progress and productivity. Intimidation, for many, is often the biggest obstacle in the way of beginning a long-term or big goal because the thought of starting and all that may follow can be scary. This is especially true when our brain decides to trick us with phony productivity, meaning that our brain prefers to stimulate our real productivity by focusing on minute tasks that are mindless and provide no progress on projects. Instead of being productive, our brain pretends to be so by ignoring the actual big project at hand. 

So, how do we avoid this?

Don’t fear! There is a powerful tool that will help you thrive amidst the chaotic student life - mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment, particularly with what you are sensing and feeling, without judgment. Mindfulness can help you stay focused, reduce stress, and make better decisions, all of which are critical skills to possess to succeed in your student and professional career. In this blog, we will explore various mindful practices that can be implemented daily, which will aid in boosting productivity and improving work performance while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

Mindfulness Practices:

1. Morning Meditation

Starting your day off with a short meditation session, which can range from 10 to 15 minutes, can set a positive tone for the day ahead. Dedicating time each morning to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and clear your mind from distractions can help you reduce anxiety, enhance your concentration, and promote a sense of inner calm.

2. Setting Clear Intentions

Before diving into your daily tasks, take a moment to set clear intentions for what you want to achieve. For instance, make a list by writing down your goals and priorities for the day, no matter the magnitude of the task. Setting clear intentions at the beginning of your day can help you stay focused on what truly matters and avoid getting lost in busy work.

3. Mindful Time Management

Effective time management is a paramount element and foundation of productivity. An efficient way of doing so is by breaking your day into manageable blocks of time and allocating specific tasks to each block. During each block, immerse yourself fully in the task at hand. Focusing on one task and avoiding multitasking can increase the quality of your work and reduce stress.

4. Regular Breaks

Undoubtedly, do not underestimate the power of short breaks throughout the day. Make sure to step away from your desk, stretch, and take a few deep breaths. Also, getting a snack, taking a quick walk, or just observing your surroundings can go a long way. These moments of pause can refresh your mind and prevent burnout.

5. Mindful Communication

Having excellent communication skills is essential in your student and professional career. So, it is crucial to practice mindful communication by listening actively without interrupting or forming judgments. When you speak, do so consciously, choosing your words carefully to convey your message clearly and respectfully. Implementing this practice eliminates miscommunication and allows for optimal work performance since everyone is on the same page.

6. Reflect and Learn

Set aside a few minutes for reflection at the end of each day. Reflection can include considering what went well and what could have been improved during the day, what you accomplished, or what you enjoyed most that allowed you to stay motivated. Besides, using the time to reflect will enable you to learn from your experiences and plan for a more productive future.

7. Mindful Self-Care

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term success. Make time for self-care activities that nourish your body and mind. Whether reading a book, taking a long bath, or practicing yoga, prioritize activities that help you unwind and recharge.

8. Stay Consistent

Remember, mindfulness is a skill that improves with practice, and so is productivity and work performance. Be patient with yourself and stay consistent in your efforts because by continuously showing up and being efficient at completing your tasks, you build trust in yourself and a routine. Over time, you will notice significant productivity, work performance, and overall well-being improvements.

In the professional and academic world, both can be demanding. So, by implementing and practicing these mindful techniques in your daily lives, you will enhance your productivity and work performance and cultivate a healthy work-life balance. Ultimately, success varies for all, and how one person stays productive may not compare to the next. Everyone is different and has a unique way of performing at their best. Feel free to adapt the mindful strategies above or share ones worth considering in the comment section below for others. After all, mindfulness is a journey, but once you find your technique, it can be the most potent skill to possess.