Most people have had to dramatically pivot to working or studying from home amid the pandemic, and the lines between professional and home life have been blurred. While it’s almost been a year since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the COVID-19 virus has turned into a pandemic, a lot of people are still having difficulty in finding their balance, causing them to overwork and burning out.
According to Entrepreneur Magazine, compartmentalizing might just be the solution to all stress you’re facing today. This process helps you single out an issue, and in turn, helps you concentrate on applying all your energy and attention to that particular task. It’s basically putting your feelings where they belong, and not letting them get in the way of the rest of your life.Â
When done correctly, it can be an effective way for you to solve your problems. Here are some ways you can compartmentalize today:
Remove distractions. One of the biggest setbacks to productivity is distractions. This can come in the form of television, your social media accounts, and yes, your smartphone. When you need to get some work done, put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode for you to get to focus on what you have to do. When you zero in on a particular task, you will become more efficient, and in turn, you’ll be able to accomplish what you need to do faster.
Make a daily schedule. Having a daily schedule gives a semblance of order in your life. It will also ensure that you’ll be able to find the time needed to accomplish all the tasks on your to-do list. There are a lot of free productivity apps such as Flat Pomodoro for you to establish a routine. However, you should be flexible enough to adjust your routine for urgent matters. Treat your schedule more as a guide so you won’t get stressed out if you don’t do everything according to plan.
Take a break. While it’s necessary for you to make time to get work done, you need to make time for breaks. Before, it was easy to divide work or school life from personal matters by simply leaving the school or office, but now, you have to condition yourself to pause and do something that would help you unwind. Not only will you feel refreshed, but you’ll be more motivated to get back to work.
These are only some of the ways you can compartmentalize, and find a semblance of balance in life. While society pushes us to be productive, it’s also important we don’t go overboard, and risk getting burnt out. Work or school is important, sure, but it shouldn’t take over your life.Â