#Day 7: 7 DAYS PRODUCTIVITY CHALLENGE

Yay! We made it to day seven. Really it is not about who started it, it is about who finished. Everyone starts but not everyone finishes what they have started. I may not have done as much as I wanted – first and foremost I wanted each post to get to you as early as 8 am and I didn’t meet up with that time frame on some certain days but I learned a lot and in subsequent challenges, I know exactly what steps to take.

There is always a first time of trying something new. This is my first time of starting a challenge and it may also be your first time of trying out a challenge and that is great. I have learned in a short while not to be scared to try something new and not be discouraged in the process. How else would I know I can do it if I don’t start or if I quit?

Quitting is not allowed! Don’t know about you but at least quitting is not permitted for me. I have gone too far to give up now (okay, stole that line from a song) but like you know too many lives and destinies are tied to yours and if you consider that you, you would keep pressing on.

Back to our challenge, I don’t know if I am in the best position to recommend this challenge but I think this comes as the most recommended habit of productive individuals.

Challenge: Rest!

I waited for this to be the last challenge as it would be very easy to carry this out today being Friday or tomorrow being Saturday. I am guilty of burning myself out and then only forcing myself to rest when my body starts giving me warning signals, plus the inexcusable food habit. I tend to make myself believe that I am more active when I don’t eat and I think no research has proven that yet, instead, research has proven that we need food especially in the morning and our body requires sleep.

Rest doesn’t necessarily mean that you take a full day off or that you sleep. Realize that there is a difference between sleeping and resting. However, you can’t sleep without resting but you can rest without sleeping. During the period of resting, you can reflect on the things you have been able to do. It is a great time to appreciate God for the ability to be productive. It is also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

Yes, our bodies need to rest. God did not need rest on the seventh day, after all, he is God, he doesn’t sleep nor slumber but Bible records that he rested. I believe he took the time to rest to take to appreciate that which he had created and to set an example that we also require rest.

How to rest;

Take breaks in between tasks

Take 5 – 10 minutes to rest after each task. You could walk around or stretch your legs especially if you have been in a sitting position for a while.

Listen to music while carrying out a task or sip coffee

I personally don’t like coffee but I like music, although, I like it quiet 70 percent of the time because I am mostly trying to articulate my thoughts or think. When I start to get tense while working, I reduce the volume as much as possible and play a soothing music till I feel relaxed and maybe put off the music. I also don’t like earpiece much but I sometimes consider using it.

Do not think about things that you haven’t done

When you have decided to rest forget about everything you haven’t done. Yes! Some people can’t just rest. They are on holiday, they are thinking about work. Trying to check on the secretary to see if they have done what they were told to do. Learn to forget everything about work when resting. If you break down, work continues and if you are a key player in whatever you are doing who takes over if you breakdown? So try as much as possible to rest before you are forced to take an involuntary bed rest.

See Also

Festive Delights: Four Enjoyable Activities For The Season

Meditate

Think about a verse of scripture. Thinking of what to meditate on? Follow Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Pray and spend time with friends and family

Take time to pray and spend time with friends and family. Also, while out with family and friends this is not a time to start thinking about work. If your relationship with family and friends is cordial/peaceful you will be more productive at work.

I said earlier that you should stick around because there will be something at the end of this challenge. I decided to make a workbook to assist in boosting your productivity and you can always refer to it long after this challenge. Will be done soon. So, you can always check the sidebar to see when it is ready.

Thanks for being a part of this challenge.

Have a productive day!