I am one of those people who is always in the constant battle between wanting to lie down and watch Netflix and actually wanting to get stuff done. It's always a constant cycle: one week of productivity, then back to the normal routine. I like being lazy, and when I'm being lazy it's really hard for me to get the motivation to do anything productive (a.k.a. all the stuff I actually HAVE to do). But I also found that when I was productive, I felt really good about myself afterwards. Not just good, but proud. These are some of my tips for if you would like to become a little bit more productive.

1. Turn off all unnecessary electronics.

Set aside three different times of the day to check social media. You don't need to be on it all the time. That being said, there a few exceptions. Like...

2. Using apps/websites for focus.

Use these app and website suggestions to keep yourself focused.

- Forest: This app grows a tree during the time you set aside to study. If you exit the app, the tree dies. If the tree grows completely, you earn coins. Once you get a certain amount of coins, you can cash them in and Trees for the Future will plant a real tree. Being productive and saving the environment! Look at you!

- UNICEF TAP Project: For every 15 minutes you go without using your phone, UNICEF and TAP Project sponsors give a day's worth of clean water to a child in need.

- Rainy Cafe: This website provides ambient noise for those who like to study or work with background noise.

3. Wake up early.

You get so much more done! If you have a hard time waking up early, you can use this method by Steve Pavlina where you set multiple alarms before you go to bed and go through your morning routine multiple times so that when you wake up in the morning your body is already conditioned to wake up.

4. Prioritize.

Use your planners to write down all of the stuff that you need to get done. But instead of making a to-do list, put them on your calendar. Keeping your priorities on a calendar is much more organized than making a to-do list. Instead of the possibility of being overwhelmed by how much you need to do and not knowing when to do it, plan it out for a specific time on your calendar.

5. Make your bed.

If you make your bed in the morning, you are less likely to get back into it throughout the day. This forces you to be more active and get more stuff done.

6. Public studying.

This definitely isn't for everyone, but it might help to not be so isolated. Try going to a coffee shop, the library, or the park. You also leave behind a lot of things that can distract you at home when you do this.

7. Make time for yourself.

Don't overwork yourself. If you are studying, take regular five-minute breaks to stretch or grab a quick snack or reward yourself with a YouTube video. Go out with friends on the weekends. You don't have to be working all the time.

8. Take care of your body.

Sleep. Eat. Exercise. Hydrate. I cannot stress enough how important taking care of your body is for being a productive, and just happier person. If you don't get enough sleep, you aren't eating or exercising right, and if you aren't drinking enough water, those habits will catch up with you eventually and will leave you feeling sick and out of energy. This makes you want to lie down instead of doing work. The more you take care of your body, the more energy you'll have and the less you will want to lay down.

9. Stop making excuses.

Unless you have a serious death in the family, are seriously injured/sick, or have a form of disability or mental illness that counteracts with your learning, you have NO excuse for not having work done. You need to stop letting yourself down. If you don't get work done and give an excuse, in most situations, your employer/professor is not going to care.

It can be difficult to get into the habit of being productive. But just remember, it takes 21 days to create or break a habit. Just 21 days! Make it that long, and you will find it much easier to continue.