You Should Try And Be Productive In Isolation

Even if it’s just cleaning the house…

I’ve seen far too many blog posts saying you don’t need to be productive in isolation. “It’s okay to do nothing,” they say, “don’t worry about building your skillset.”

But Newton’s first law of physics says otherwise:

“An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion… unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.”

How do you expect to return to your usual self if you’ve been sitting on the couch watching Netflix for six weeks? It’ll be like revitalising a zombie!

Your first week back in the office would be a sluggish start. You’d be mustering your mental and physical powers until you can finally reach your normal pace.

Why waste time rebuilding momentum when you can slide back into your working life with ease?

But Don’t Be Einstein!

Being productive isn’t just learning new skills. Or even working on a new invention. It could be something as simple as cleaning the house.

Maybe the bathroom needs a do-over? Possibly the lounge room could do with some re-arranging? Or perhaps that bedroom needs tidying. I know mine does!

It could even be just going for a walk. That’s because being productive is purely doing something that garners results. In other words: a task that benefits you.

Indeed, if you truly want to learn rocket science in isolation, go for it! Learning a new skill can come in handy down the track.

And if you know you should be doing something important, then go and do it. It cannot hurt to try. Even if you fail…

“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” -Jodi Picoult

But always remember: productivity isn’t just being like Einstein. There’s plenty of simpler ways to be productive.

And Don’t Go Crazy!

Of course, I’m not saying push yourself to breaking point every day. Sometimes you gotta have a rest. Draw a steaming hot bath. Share virtual margaritas with distant friends. Or even binge Netflix for a day… (I’m guilty too!)

Just like you were before COVID-19, you needed time outside of work to recuperate. You can’t stay on high without expecting a fall sometime.

Or as Newton states:

“What goes up must come down.”

So be sure to rejuvenate your senses before venturing on another high. Bring yourself back to earth in whatever way you can.

And always be productive. Even if it’s just cleaning the house.

Originally published at https://thegaystraighttalker.com on May 12, 2020.