Striking a Balance: Productivity, Accountability, and Self-Forgiveness

Ok, so you are just about two weeks into absolutely crushing your New Year’s resolutions. Eat more vegetables? Check. Get moving at least two times a day? Check. Try a new immunity-boosting supplement? Check.

At 6AM Health, we celebrate you for making these goals and trying your absolute best to stick to them. It’s not easy! But like we have said from the start, we are here to help you, whether that means providing you with the fuel you need to keep going (check out our in-office Fresh Fridges) or sharing health and wellness-related advice and encouragement – we want to set you up for success!

This week’s blog will focus on some topics related to accomplishing your New Year’s resolutions: productivity, accountability, and self-forgiveness.

Productivity

pro·duc·tive: yielding results, benefits, or profits

As we all know it, productivity has taken a whole new angle in the age of working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In trying to find some sort of boundary between work and home, the big question arises: How do we stay productive, and at the same time, stay sane?

That being said, we want to share Forbes’ seven suggestions to help you be more productive while working from home:

1. Designate a specific workspace. [Studies show that having a specific workspace is essential to help you focus.]

2. Take breaks and go outside. [Short breaks every few hours can help increase mental clarity and overall productivity.]

3. Customize your environment. [Scents and plants, in particular, can have very positive effects on your emotional well-being.]

4. Listen to music. [Classical and instrumental music can help increase productivity and keep the mind sharp.]

5. Keep regular hours. [The more familiar and consistent your work schedule, the better]

6. Create and maintain a morning routine. [Exclusively working from your pajamas may impact the quality of your work.]

7. Don’t stop socializing. [Isolation, disconnection, and loneliness can be a sour recipe for your mental health.]

Accountability

ac·count·abil·i·ty: the quality or state of being accountable

especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions

This one is tough—it’s hard to stay consistent with the goals we set for ourselves. The keyword here is ourselves. I’m sure almost everyone can relate to falling short of the expectations we set for ourselves. But that’s just it—we make these goals for ourselves, so it’s up to us to hold ourselves accountable.

Still, it is ok to ask for help and maybe help a friend be accountable for their own goals along the way. Accountability buddies are people who help one another stay motivated and on track. Accountability buddies challenge each other to stretch and pivot when needed and can even use check-ins as deadlines.

My favorite way to hold myself accountable? Carving out time for desired habits in my calendar. Blocking calendar time for things such as workouts or cooking a healthy meal can remind you to prioritize yourself and your well-being while providing you with some structure.

Are you looking for more accountability tips? Check out this New York Times article on how to make (and keep) a New Year’s resolution.

Self-Forgiveness

/self/ for·give·ness: accepting what has happened and showing compassion to yourself

Here’s where I tell you that holding yourself accountable for your productivity isn’t everything. I am human, and so are you. We aren’t perfect, and no one expects us to be. So, how do we forgive ourselves? We accept the behavior and what has happened and focus on what we learned and how we grew.

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I can’t tell you how to strike a balance in your life—only you can make that call. But I hope this blog got you thinking a little about how you can stay productive, hold yourself accountable, and practice self-forgiveness.