So, you've been working from home for the last several weeks, and it started out being awesome! Being able to roll out of bed and log on from your laptop in your pajamas seemed like a dream come true. But at this point, you're entering Month #3, and honestly, you're losing steam. It feels like you've been working harder at home than you ever did in the office. More meetings, more calls, more THINGS to get done.
If you're like me, this remote work grind has been so rough that you find yourself ready to tap out by lunchtime. So what can you do to get that second wind and push through that midday slump to finish the day strong?
Here are a few ideas:
Block your calendar for “Personal Time”.
Shutterstock
Set aside some time to just focus on you. Step away from your laptop. Don't take any calls. Give your mind a break from anything work-related. This will allow you to decompress and refocus on what needs to get done without feeling bombarded. You can also set aside 20-30 minutes of your personal time to completely reset your brain and take a power nap. Naps worked when we were kids and needed an energy boost, why not use them now?
Take an exercise break.
If you've been sitting down at your computer all morning, use your midday break to get a quick workout in. If your gym hasn't reopened, go for a walk or run. Also, YouTube has a gazillion free workouts that you can do right in your living room that will get the blood flowing and release those good endorphins to help your productivity in the second half of your work day.
Switch tasks.
If you're working on something that is tedious or monotonous, switch it up! Get a jumpstart on that new presentation that will allow you to use your creativity. Begin outlining that project that you pitched to management and FINALLY got greenlighted. That creative energy will help you to push through that midday wall, and now you'll have more stamina to pivot back to your other required tasks.
Change your environment.
Shutterstock
If you find that your work environment at home isn't conducive to you maintaining energy throughout the day, try changing locations. If you have an office, try working from another part of the house or sitting near a window where the sunlight can wake you up. Take some of your afternoon calls outside if you can. Have a friend with WiFi who lives nearby? Try working from their place for a complete change of scenery (be sure to stay six feet apart, of course! #socialdistancing).
Turn on some tunes!
Nothing energizes me like music. So, if 1pm rolls around, and you feel yourself hitting the wall or your eyelids are beginning to get heavy, try turning on one of your favorite albums and let it wake your brain back up. Not sure what to play? Here's a pro tip: Unless you've been living under a rock, you've seen the epic Verzuz battles on IG: Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland, Lil Jon vs. T-Pain, Babyface vs. Teddy Riley, and of course Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott. Tidal has been out here doing the Lord's work to create playlists capturing the set lists from each of these battles right after they end, so you can pull those up and just let them run. Boom! Instant catalogue of hits to play throughout the day.
GET MORE SLEEP.
Shutterstock
I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but if you are constantly fading by the afternoon, you may not be getting enough rest in the first place. Spend some time evaluating your sleep patterns and if you know you've been skimping on your beauty sleep, give yourself a bedtime. This will help you to hold yourself accountable and make sure you're getting adequate rest to be your most productive every day.
You can conquer that midday slump before it conquers you. It's all about switching up your routine, taking true "no-work" breaks, and of course getting real sleep so that you can have enough energy to carry you through a full day!
For more information about Julia Rock, check out Rock Career Development or follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Featured image by Shutterstock
RELATED
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
Courtesy
I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
Courtesy
That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
Courtesy
So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
Courtesy
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy
