During the stay-at-home orders of the COVID-19 pandemic, I discovered a highly effective way to become more productive, even on my laziest days. The challenge is staying consistent with the steps.

How to be Productive on Your Lazy Days 101:

STEP 1: To start off, treat yourself — Give yourself some extra time in the morning (or whenever you wake up) just for you and your peace of mind. This could be to listen to music, do a face mask, make breakfast, smoke a jay, connect with your partner or kid(s), get dressed up really nice, or whatever it may be that makes you happy.

STEP 2: Then, get inspired — find something that really fuels you to be your best. Read the paper, watch the news, watch YouTube videos by people who motivate you, take a hard look at your vision board, call up a friend who excites you, finish that book you started. Get into something—anything—that puts you in grind mode.

STEP 3: Remember this — Your future will be the direct result of your daily habits. So if you really want to be successful, it matters what you do for yourself now… today, tomorrow, and the next day. Think of something you could do today that your future self would thank you for.

STEP 4: Just begin working — Open up or pull out a task sheet and just start going down the list. Create a to-do list if you haven’t got one started already. To avoid burnout, only work on one thing at a time and only work on it until you feel like working on another task.

(Note: this method is really beneficial with physically small tasks that you can start and put away safely and neatly.)

You can still be productive on your lazy days after all! Using the four steps I listed, you can get much more done on days when you’d otherwise have gotten no work done at all!

The secret is that it’s all about working in increments and most importantly, starting the day off right!!