How to stay productive in the autumn months

Shorter days, gloomy weather and cold temperatures can make us want to hide under a blanket and watch Netflix all day long. Don’t get me wrong, days like that are definitely needed but energy levels can take a real dip in autumn. If you find your productivity levels drop once autumn hits then this post is for you. Find out how to remain productive when all you want to do is hibernate!

With the right mindset and a plan in place, autumn can actually turn out to be the most productive season for you. In fact there’s data to suggest that the average person gets more work done in autumn than in any other season. Here’s how to take advantage of the most productive season.

Set yourself new goals

I don’t know if it’s because I work in a school so a new school year for me starts in September but I always see the autumn as a new start. For others, autumn might seem a bit of an odd time to be setting new goals but if you think about it we should be constantly assessing our goals anyway for what works and what doesn’t. Also from a blogging point of view, autumn is ripe with seasonal content. It’s also a well known fact that quarter 4 of the year can be the most profitable time for your blog. With all that in mind it totally makes sense to have a fresh plan in place.

By setting yourself new goals and having a new plan in place it puts a fresh spin on everything. There’s nothing worse than working on something that doesn’t align with your goals anymore to make you feel demotivated. Think about what you want from the final part of the year and set goals and make plans to help you achieve it.

Take care of yourself

The colder months bring with them a whole new set of health problems and let’s face it , when we’re ill, we’re certainly not feeling at our most productive. From cold’s to Seasonal Affective Disorder it can seem like autumn is just out to stop us from being productive. First off make sure you’re stocked up on anything that will help you at the start of the season. Vitamins are always a good choice for taking care of your overall well-being but make sure you have a stock of cold medicines and tissues and if you suffer with SAD then investing in a light box or dawn simulating alarm clock might help.

Taking care of yourself isn’t just about your physical health though, as I’ve already mentioned with SAD, it’s important to look after your mental health too. Autumn was just made for indulging in cosy self care days. Taking time out when you’re not feeling so productive is totally fine. Sometimes you don’t have to push through and taking some time away from projects can actually restore your productivity. Reaching burn out is pointless so know when it’s time to stop for your physical and mental well being and enjoy a day off.

Don’t alter your sleeping pattern

It’s tempting to spend longer snuggled in the warmth of your bed when it’s cold and dark but you should still make yourself get up. If I spend longer in bed I always feel worse. For example I get most of my blogging stuff done on a weekend, mainly a Saturday and I like to get it out of the way in the morning so the afternoon is free. If I stay in bed longer I know I’ve wasted time and I feel less motivated to get stuff done. We all need a rest and a lay in every now and again and that’s fine, just don’t make it a habit.

Getting plenty of rest will make you more productive as you won’t be focusing on how tired you are. Tiredness effects your productivity levels so being well rested will in turn make you more motivated to get stuff done. Stick to your regular sleeping pattern if it’s working for you. Just because it’s cold and dark doesn’t mean you should be hibernating!

Build new routines

Autumn is the time for change and what worked for you in the warmer months may not translate into the colder months. In fact there’s a wonderful quote that always does the rounds at this time of year that says “Autumn, the season that teaches us that change can be beautiful.” And it’s true, now is the perfect time to embrace change. If you’ve set yourself a bunch of new goals the chances of achieving them when you’re stuck in old routines is slim.

Building a routine that works and holds you accountable isn’t about being on the go all the time and you definitely need to build some fun things into your routine. Embrace the season and add some new cosy traditions to your routine to help you relax and enjoy your downtime. When you’re building up your new routine you need to think about your goals and what will help you achieve them and also try and cover all aspect of your life including work, mental and physical health, morning and evening routines and hobbys/interests.

Staying productive in autumn is all about finding balance between the days where you’re full of energy and want to get everything done and embracing some downtime. You can’t be productive if you’re burnt out but you also can’t be productive if you don’t have the right mindset.

How do you stay productive in autumn? Do you find that this season is the most productive for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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