16 ways to get 'super' productive; How to keep yourself occupied and get the most out of your time.

As a culture that thrives off being busy and doing more, being thrown into the unknown of self-isolating and quarantine is not something anyone is relishing.

King Recruit has compiled 16 ideas for self-isolating and getting the most out of your time indoors.

1. An Organised Mind

You’ve heard the saying about having an organised space to work in leads to an organised mind. Take a leaf out of Marie Kondo’s book and re-organise your surroundings - “Tidy your space, transform your life”. Taking the time to tidy and re-organise your surroundings will help you feel happier and more relaxed. A nice feeling if you will be spending a prolonged period of time there. Check out Marie’s top tips here https://youtu.be/TXzcmr2WcDA

2. “Homegrown” gardening.

Once the inside is sorted time to tackle the outside space. Spring is the perfect time to begin to see your garden wake up from the winter. Take the time to remove the weeds and sow some seeds. Lilies and Gladioli are perfect for planting now. As are carrots, celeriac, courgettes, leeks, lettuce, peas, aubergine, chillis, and tomatoes. Ensure you ‘buy local’ and go to https://www.suttons.co.uk our own ‘homegrown’ seed company based in Paignton, Devon. As a huge bonus of being outside, you’ll get an injection of Vitamin D – which is great for increasing your immunity and helping with conditions like depression.

3. Become your own Master Chef

Imagine John and Greg are about to critique your food! If the cupboards will allow it, you have the time now to invest in cooking your favourite meal from the beginning, no packet sauces needed. A homecooked meal is much more affordable then ready meals, meaning you will save a few pennies at the same time. A great activity for the whole family to do – why not set a goal for teaching the kids how to cook before they return to school. Think of all those breakfasts in bed for the future and the fun you’ll have along the way.

Take a look at www.exetercookeryschool.co.uk for some inspiration on recipe ideas and all the courses you’re going to book when everything returns to normal.

Or for a more honed variety of recipes, think Lympstone Manor and look to no other than the amazing Michael Caines and his recipes: https://www.michaelcaines.com/michael-caines/mc-recipes/

4. Geeky Grandparents

The physicality of having extended family around you will be missed during this time, why don’t you take some time to teach your older relatives how to use FaceTime or WhatsApp so you can all see and speak to one another on a regular basis and know they are safe.

5. Have a virtual glass of something

For your friends, family or furloughed staff – it’s really important to not only ‘stay in touch’ but have some fun with it too!

Zoom seems to be the work video conferencing of choice! It allows you to call multiple contacts, mute yourself if you’re not talking, transfer into virtual meeting rooms and even record conversations. Why not set up a ‘pub quiz’ and a virtual drink with all of your team or friends.

We were going to promote HouseParty.com but there is a rumour that it's accessing bank details on phones - beware everyone!

Therefore, we'd recommend to stick with WhatsApp or Zoom to be sure of being 'safe and secure'.

6. Plan a ‘Staycation’

Whilst plans for holidays abroad are firmly in the ‘indefinitely postponed’ pile at the moment, it’s worth thinking about a Staycation with one of the UK’s leading quality holiday cottage companies www.holidaycottages.co.uk. Bookings are currently being taken from 5th June 2020 onwards. Keep watching for updates.

Think cosy cottages, days out, museum trips and long walks with the family. It’s always nice to have something to look forward to and the homegrown Devon based business offer a wide choice of high-quality properties across the UK.

7. Create a Vision Board

According to *Forbes.com 1 in 5 small business owners used a vision board or other visual representation when starting their business; 76% of those business owners said that today their business is where they envisioned it would be when they started it.

82% of small business owners that used a vision board from the get-go reported that they have accomplished more than half the goals they included on that board.

Create a dream board – take the time to reflect on your goals and targets and build a collage of pictures, words and quotes that inspire you to reach them. Creating a vision board is a simple and fun activity. We recommend getting together with a few friends or your entire family to have a vision board party.

When you build a vision board with others, you can feed off each other’s ideas and positive energy. It is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening together!

Here are some simple steps to help you create a vision board today:

#tip1 Get Clear on your Biggest Goals e.g. double my income, buy a dream house

#tip2 Gather inspiration for your board in the form of images

#tip3 Order a vision board for as little as ￡16 with www.notonthehighstreet.com

#tip4 Look at your vision board daily and take a photo of it to store in your phone

#tip5 Celebrate and document success - Create a manual journal or use the App One Note 

8. Seek a deeper understanding of the world

The TED Talks channel features talks from leading thinkers from across the world and the global community who believe passionately “in the power of changing attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.” Take the time to watch some TED Talks on a range of subjects from science to business to global issues at ted.com/talks

9. Get Hired! 

If your dream board has left you thinking of the job you want to progress into taking the time to update your CV to ensure that it is showing you off to your full potential. See King Recruits' guides to updating your CV and LinkedIn profile. Or reach out to the LinkedIn Local experts: Vic Williams and Lesley Anderson for all the latest on how to 10x your LinkedIn expertise!

10. Reignite your love of writing.

Set up that blog site you’ve been putting off, with Wix.com. Write the book you’ve always wanted to write, now is the perfect opportunity to take the leap. Do some research, put together a schedule and write about your passions. If a blog isn’t your thing why not write letters to your older family members.

Or if you want professional advice and expertise on your PR and Marketing speak to Marc and the team at Astley Media

As Henry Ford said "Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time"

12. Learning a new skill?

Learn a language, learn how to renovate furniture, learn a new computer skill, learn meditation, learn martial arts. With a number of online programs available at your fingertips, the world is your oyster. We recommend listening to the Ted Talks: The first 20 hours, how to learn anything

12. Get coached!

There's lots of free coaching out there and a whole raft of YouTube videos for a variety of different topics, business disciplines, life coaching, etc. Why not make a start with one of the world's leading life coaches: Tony Robbins. Tony is one of the most inspirational and also one of the most philanthropic people in the world. Not only has he changed the lives of millions with his epic global coaching events but he's fed over 1 billion Americans with his feeding America program. View his website here along with his COVID-19 message and listen, and subscribe to his motivating YouTube channel HERE

Another key message for the upturn, is to 'be prepared'. Staying focussed on your own leadership training and sales training for all of your staff will ensure you come out stronger.

If you are looking for a fantastic sales training and leadership provider, look to none other than Sandler Training. Led by Andy McCreadie the team can offer online support and training during this time.

13. Give something back.

The community really comes together during hard times, if you feel like you want to return the favour why not do some research into local volunteering programs or ways you can help in your local community. Homeless shelters need food, lots of businesses need drivers and the NHS also needs our help. Access the local effort in Exeter HERE

14. Switch off

Make sure you take some downtime and break away from all of the social media panic and scaremongering. Allocate time when you turn your electronics off or leave them in another room. Perhaps have a 7 pm to 7 am lockdown of your own on devices in the house. There are some amazing books you can read, here is just a small selection: HERE

15. Become a Yogi

Yoga is a perfect way to relax and relieve stress while increasing muscle strength and tone and improving your respiration and energy. “The beauty about yoga is that it is for everyone, no matter what your age, size, ability or fitness level. Yoga is non-competitive, it takes into consideration that everyone is different, so the class is your own, you choose what is right for you, but under expert supervision” 

 The estuary clinic based in Topsham, Devon is doing virtual yoga and a whole host of other alternative classes. www.estuaryclinic.co.uk

16. Pamper yourself

Whether it’s a face mask and a bubble bath or painting your nails, make sure you find the time to do the little things that make you feel better and relax.

If it’s your hair you are worried about, Energy Hair at Darts Farm will soon be rolling out ‘how-to tutorials’ with lots of creative ideas. Follow Energy Hair on FaceBook for all their latest updates and those well-needed tutorials coming soon…. https://www.facebook.com/energyhair/

Wishing you all the best for your self-isolation ventures.

CONTACT US

King Recruit is an independently minded recruitment and search agency, covering Exeter and the whole of the South West. For ambitious companies and professionals alike – the core of our mission is to help drive your success.

If you'd like to speak to King Recruit by video or telephone interview advice, please call us on 01392 790725 or email [email protected] to arrange a convenient time. There is no obligation. King Recruit is making a Covid-19 pledge to help anyone who needs advice, support and guidance.

Follow us on LinkedIn for all of our up to date news and views from around the Southwest region

Useful content in King Recruit's Covid-19 pledge series:

King Recruit's Redundancy Guidance

COVID-19: FAQ'S ON FURLOUGH

'Get Hired' - Improve your LinkedIn Profile

How to survive the 30 second CV scan - Compiling a great CV

6 reasons to use Zoom for interviews

"Acing" the video interview

Covid-19: 16 ways to get productive

Covid-19: Redefining your business goals

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