Hey guys! Before we get into today’s post I just want to say I’m praying for each and every one of y’all. COVID-19 has turned so many people’s lives upside down, and for a lot of people–me included– we aren’t really sure what to expect next.

I know personally this week I’ve been struggling with a lot of anxiety and fears for the future this week, but God put an AMAZING verse on my heart, and I’d love to share it with you. Psalm 46:1-3 says- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” I know personally I’ve felt like my world was falling apart, especially since the corona virus has changed almost every aspect of everyday life, but this week God’s really been encouraging me, and saying that I shouldn’t be worried about the future because he has a plan and a purpose for me and HE is the one I should put my trust in, not in the “stability” this world has to offer.

One of the ways many teenager’s lives have changed, is the transition to online school. Every state, district, and school has different expectations for their students, and different methods of learning, but a trend I’ve noticed with a lot of my peers (and honestly myself included) is that we have trouble staying focused. Here are my top 5 tips to help you stay productive and motivated while working from home:

Put Your Phone Away

This is the number one piece of advice I can give you: PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY. When it comes to phones, the old saying “out of sight out of mind” really goes a long way. When your phone is right in front of you, it’s so easy to say “I’m just checking one message…” and then get sucked into hours of mindless scrolling through social media. Trust me: It happens to everyone. You’re not the only one getting distracted by TikTok dances.

Listen to Focus Music

How are you going to be able to focus on your chemistry lesson when you’re busy singing along to “All the Single Ladies” by Beyonce? When studying, avoid distraction by listening to instrumental music. Did you know video game music is specifically created to keep you engaged and motivated? So while you’re typing away at that English paper, don’t be afraid to pop on that Minecraft soundtrack. If you want a good study playlist, I have one you can follow on Spotify here.

Block Distracting Sites

Ok, so somehow even after I’ve put my phone away I STILL find ways to get distracted on my laptop. Somehow I always find my way to YouTube, Pinterest, and constantly checking my email to avoid Algebra lessons. (Yeah not the most productive way to live my life) Most computers and devices have ways to block websites during specific times of the day. Even if your device can’t, there are a ton of Apps you can download to help with distractions too such as MyCircle.

Know It’s OK to Procrastinate if You’re Still Being Productive

Um what? Yeah you heard me right! It my seem like the opposite of the rest of my advice, but hear me out. It’s ok to procrastinate your Algebra homework while you clean your bathroom. And it’s ok to avoid chemistry work while you finish an essay. As long as you get your assignments done by their due dates, its ok to procrastinate. That’s the beautiful thing about online school. You’re not set on a fixed schedule, and you don’t even have to wake up early if you don’t want to.

Write 5 Goals for The Day

Ok, so not having a schedule has its perks…and it’s downsides. Sometimes, because I don’t have a schedule I find myself not doing ANYTHING school related all day, and having to catch up the next morning. Instead of a schedule set 5 Goals for yourself, that you will accomplish during the day. For example, today mine would be: Do 2 Algebra Lessons, Finish 1 Psych Assignment, Write 2 paragraphs of English Essay, Workout, Finish Writing Blog Post. Having 5 easily attainable goals, will not only boost your confidence (girl i gotchu!!) but also help you be productive. Know that once you accomplish those goals, you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want. (It’s an amazing feeling)

Thank y’all so much for reading my post! I hope your week is amazing and productive. Let me know how I can pray for you, as well as your own work-from-home productivity tips in the comments below.

-Tryphena

Follow me on Social Media!

Instagram – @whatagorgeousday

Spotify – Tryphena