Marissa Caristea

Sample Articles By Marissa Caristea 8 Proven Tips to Combat Procrastination “Procrastination is the bad habit of putting off until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.” – Napoleon Hill Why do people, even the successful and accomplished ones, procrastinate? We tend not to start something we should do for many reasons like a feeling of anxiety, stress, thought of failure, lack of motivation, boredom, and all excuses under the sun. Research also shows that it is somehow comforting to not do something you aren’t sure about or might stress you out. In this article, I will show you 8 proven ways to combat procrastination. 1. Have a positive attitude Your mindset will make or break you, and you are in charge of it. People who have a positive attitude tend to find solutions rather than excuses for their problems compared to those who only know how to blame others for their misfortune. 2. Set your goals to achieve and jot them down Ask yourself, why you are doing this. What are your “whys”? Once you’ve identified them, you can finally set your goals and focus on them. It’s also important to be realistic with your goals, write them down, and see for yourself what you can do, then commit to it. If you want to pursue a goal that is way too big, do it one step at a time, persevere, be consistent, and you'll get there. 3. Reward yourself for good behavior Treat yourself with your favorite comfort food after a job well done. A reward is a good motivation to complete a task. Psychologically speaking, our brain responds to reward stimuli. 4. Find an accountability partner You may also want to have someone whom you can work or bet with, and this is fine and fun. Getting a partner to achieve a goal or accomplish a task is proven to improve productivity. Talk with your accountability buddy about how you like to get things done and stick with it. 5. Drop perfectionism There’s this popular quote that says, “You do not have to be great to start, you just have to start to be great.” Stop thinking that you could not start a task because it’s not the perfect time, or you’re not in the perfect mood, because that “perfect” will never come. If you do, you will surely end up doing nothing; so drop perfectionism and start doing something because done is better than perfect. 6. Divide your task into smaller parts You don’t have to take everything all at once, if you do, you will only end up being frustrated for not finishing a single task. Try to chunk down each task, it’s up to you how you would like it to be segmented. The important thing is that you won’t get overwhelmed by overdoing and multi-tasking. Breathe and take it easy. 7. Take action, now If you keep on postponing a task you should do, you will never see any progress. It is now or never. It’s about how willing you are to start that could lead you further to your goals. A single-action casts away procrastination. 8. Apply the Five-Minute Miracle Lastly, try to identify a small action that you can do within five minutes, set your timer for five minutes, and start working on the task. According to a psychological phenomenon called Zeigarnik Effect, our brain will most likely remember the unfinished task. So even if you haven’t finished within the time frame, consider it a small win because you were able to start, and you will be able to finish them soon. Procrastination is a habit. Now, if you know where this habit can lead you, following these tips above could help replace them. You’ll find fulfillment when you decide to start at the moment and accomplish something. Get out of your comfort zone, and commit to your goals and see yourself closer to your dreams, winning. Follow through these 8 tips with consistency to beat off procrastination that is hindering you from success. --6 Ways to Keep Your Sanity Amid the Pandemic It has been more than a year since the coronavirus changed your way of life and perspectives. This pandemic was, and is, for sure a trigger to each of our overall wellbeing. This is also a time where most people are concerned with their mental health. While experts in sciences and medicines are busy looking for the most possible solution to end the spread of the virus, we, ordinary people taking extraordinary precautions, are also battling uphill for our sanity. As you’re reading this, you are most likely one of those ‘ordinary’-stability seekers. In this article, you will find out the six ways to keep your sanity amid the pandemic: 1. Keep Yourself Well Informed So first things first, you’ve got to know not only the news and protocols about beating the spread of the virus but also the state of your mental health. Ask yourself the things you should do to fight both the virus and insanity. 2. Do Some Meditations More people are now engaged in meditation after discovering its numerous health benefits, such as reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, having a positive outlook in life, understanding yourself even better, and more. It’s up to you how long you’d like to do your meditation. All you need is to find a quiet and peaceful place around your area where you can sit on your yoga mat (if you prefer) and meditate. 3. Exercise Regularly We all know that exercising has many physical benefits, but did you know that it has many mental health benefits as well? Studies show that regular exercise helps reduce anxiety and panic attacks, and it enhances the mind’s ability to regulate daily stressors. Realizing these benefits is a great way to start your stretching because you know your mind and body will thank you. 4. Stay Connected with Your Loved Ones Ever wonder how your loved ones and friends from afar are doing? Maximize the use of technology and the internet, and worry less. Connecting with your family, setting a virtual party, or having a group video call is just one click away. Virtual hugs are unlimited and could give warmth too. A good feeling brings you a sound mind. 5. Be Involved As we keep to the norms of social distancing, we should not forget to be involved with our surroundings. It’s great to join different activities or groups that promote mental health and improve one’s well-being. Social distancing should not equate to social isolation. 6. Focus More on Self-Care This is the most important thing to remember during these most trying times. Focus more on better self-care. Maintain good hygiene habits and discover more of yourself. Reassess your health to see what needs improvements, and work on it. This global crisis has brought enough drastic stress on our lives, so do not abuse yourself, instead give yourself the care you deserve. Each and everyone has their own story to tell about this pandemic. For some, it may be easy to cope with stress and adapt to changes, while others may have difficulty sharing their dilemmas or confusions. But what’s important is that you try to reach out to friends or family to exchange or open up your thoughts. This is the best time to reconnect strained relationships, cheer up for one another, and always be optimistic. You are not alone in this battle, always have faith and remember, this too, shall pass. --- How to Work From Home Efficiently With a Toddler Skipping commute and traffic are some of the perks of working from home. But as a parent, you started to ask yourself how you could juggle well both working and parenting your toddler while you’re in your pajamas all day, right? You are not alone, because many parents are experiencing the same as they have transitioned to working from home. Here are a few things you'd like to keep in mind if you are now having your dilemma working from home with your toddler: Find Ways to Keep Your Toddlers Busy While You Work From Home You can spend 10-15 minutes of your time with your toddler at night to list down activities for the next day. You can ask him what activities he looks forward to for tomorrow, or you can suggest he bathe his toys or color a book. During your working hours, encourage him to entertain himself through independent play. When he finishes what you listed and keeps on approaching you, give him more activities. He can be assigned to organized his toys according to their shapes or color, he'll not only enjoy it but also learn with them. Ask for Help At some point, you'll have to ask for help to take care of or watch over your toddler. You can arrange the time with your helper- it can be your partner, parents/in-laws, or a babysitter. See for yourself whom you are comfortable with so you can focus and be more efficient on your work. Take Advantage of Nap or Sleep Time A fun fact about toddlers is that they can be energetic as fast as they can be tired. Toddlers have an average of 2 naps a day for like 2-3 hours each nap. You can take advantage of nap times to concentrate more on your task. Moreover, if you are a morning person, you can wake up at least 2 hours before your child gets up. Enjoy being productive at work early without being interrupted by your little one. Communicate and Establish Boundaries With Your Toddler Communication is one of the keys to efficiency with your business, and so with your toddler. You can discuss with him when he can enter the room (or office, if you have one at home) to play and snuggle, and when he can't because you're working. Explain to your toddler that you work because you have to earn money to provide for his needs and your family. He's only two or three but he can understand you. You have to explain things well with him and be firm in setting boundaries. Take Breaks You may want to do as much work when you are home, but, you have to take breaks from concentrating for hours in front of your laptop or computer. A 10-minute break between your shift is essential for you and your toddler. This is a time when you can hop at your child's playpen to play or cuddle with him. Parenting alone is never easy, efficient working from home is also not. Doing both all at once can be exhausting when you don't prepare well for it. But it's possible, you just have to organize, communicate, and stick with your plans and goals. After all, working from home can bring out the best in you because you are where your inspirations are.