Your Level Of Productivity Changes Over The Seasons
A Productivity Lesson I Learnt During This Summer Heatwave
We, humans, are naive.
We think that no matter what time of the day, week, month and year we are in, we will be able to function at the same level of energy and enthusiasm all year around.
Na! (Imagine hearing the AGT big X buzzer)
I am pretty sure I have experienced the rise and fall of my productivity as the seasons changed, but it wasn't until this April I fell flat on my bum.
Generally speaking, Summer here in India gradually starts in March, peaks in May-June (45C), and then slowly comes down by the end of July-beginning of August.
This year, the weather gods decided to stay cool in March and then go directly to 45C (113F) heatwave in April.
Result?
My exercise routine went out the window.
My work routine followed it.
I was 24/7 exhausted as my body struggled to maintain its temperature.
And had bouts of low pressure, thanks to all the sweating out of minerals.
I was irritated by the weather and frustrated at not being able to do as much as I would prefer to do in a day.
Mid-April onwards, I cursed the Summer for being so summery.
Every day I complained about:
how hot it was,
how I wasn't able to work comfortably,
how much air conditioner I was using,
how my sleep was erratic,
how I was waking up with a migraine every morning,
and how I couldn't go out, even for my morning walks.
It took me a month to realise that Summer isn't going anywhere for another three months.
And since I am not the Egyptian moon god Khonshu and change the sky to a time I desired, I had to chew the bitter pill of self-realisation. If I can't change the situation, I must change my attitude.
So that's what I did - I de-ambitioned myself.
De-ambition Yourself
Once I realised my current schedule and load were not working in my favour, I decided to cut it down as much as possible.
Instead of a 6-7 hours per day work schedule, I chose 4 hours per day.
Instead of two work projects, I chose one for the day.
Instead of spending an hour or two straight at my desk, I chose to Pomodoro my way through my work.
Instead of working on all 4 projects (two work and two passion), I gave the passion ones a break and tackled the work one.
Instead of exercise, I chose diet.
Instead of switching from one task to another, I chose to stick to one until it was done and then take a break to catch my breath.
Instead of pushing through, I chose to take a nap when I felt the need.
My workaholic mind felt uncomfortable and guilty for taking rest and not spending each moment of the day doing something. I pushed that nagging voice away anyway.
I knew keeping my mind calm was the most important thing right now. Stressing about anything will lead to more exhaustion, and I can't afford that.
Sometimes it's okay not to do anything constructive and just survive the day.
Tackling my day through this heatwave made me realise that it's so easy for me to work in cooler weather. This made me realise that my productivity goes through its ebb and flow with the cycle of the seasons.
I can't wait to get all the things I had to leave into my schedule; they are always on my mind.
But as long as Summer is here, I plan to go slow and easy.
My job, then, is to change my schedule and my inputs & outputs according to the need of the moment.
Once I did that, I noticed that I was way less stressed and could get all the things I wanted to do in a day. And I am happy with that bargain.
