Let me let you in on a little secret. These articles I write aren’t quite planned. Yes I know, shocking. Many people who are in my wheelhouse most likely can’t say the same. I write for my college’s newspaper and I plan my articles out quite well.

I gotta tell my higher ups what I’m gonna write about, get it approved, it’s a whole process. Which is why I appreciate this outlet. It lets me stretch my proverbial writing chops and relax a bit. It’s a lot more lowkey.

So why the hell am I having trouble writing this article?

It’s funny because a bit ago, I wrote an article about this very topic. Due to the crazy and hectic nature of my personal life as of late, it’s been tough to sit down and write. When I do, I find it difficult to get work done.

Well, work done well and in good time. Like I mentioned, I find this hilarious because I wrote an article last year about this same thing. Back then, I had writer’s block for no reason, I just kinda had it.

Now, I feel like with all the personal stuff taking up my mental space and time, I have some trouble being productive. Maybe you have a similar problem. Maybe that’s why you’re reading this article. My last article was about writer’s block, but here, I want to write about productivity overall.

It can be tough to be productive normally, let alone when you’re getting over something or someone.

Let’s dive into some habits that help me in being productive when times are tough.

I’m a writer, so my work is pretty unique. I sound very pretentious in saying that but go figure. As a writer, I can write on my own schedule. I don’t have to go to a 9-5. There are pluses and negatives to both sides however.

Working on your own schedule is great because you can work whenever you are available. 9-5’s are good too (never thought I would say that) because it gives you consistency.

That is the ultimate goal here.

When you’re going through something and have trouble being productive, consistency is what you need.

Think of a break up. You spend a year or two with someone, and then bam, they’re out of your life, never to see them again. Sometimes, seeing them again can make things harder, believe me.

So that consistency of not seeing them really hurts and it gets to you and it makes you feel like you’re living in a nightmare and then next thing you know you can’t go to sleep because you’re focused on reminiscing about the life you two dreamed of having and it just SUCKS.

So yeah, run on sentence aside, it’s tough when things happen to you, but it is what is.

Consistency. It’s important, especially in an article.

Getting back to that, a schedule is what’s really important.

During the week, I’m running around from classes to work to friends then to my room, but I still have stuff I need to do. When I have a schedule, it makes it easier to be productive since I have only so much non-busy time during the day.

It does wonders for my productivity funnily enough when I have a busy schedule. So, if you’re down in the dumps, keep your schedule busy and it’ll help you with your work.

Again, in relation to my work, I write a lot. Writer’s block is a curse. It sucks. When I get it, it takes three times the effort to write as it usually does. Why? Who knows, it comes and goes.

How do I combat this?

I just write. I sit down and do the work I have to do and force myself to make something. If you have to sit yourself down and force yourself to do something, that’s better than doing nothing.

That’s the main difficulty with road blocks in productivity. 

When you’re having trouble being productive, it takes so much effort to do a certain amount of work that you could’ve done easily in the past.

It almost hurts. When I get writer’s block I feel like such a chump, because I KNOW deep down I’m better, I just can’t get it out. Whether you’re in a creative rut or your personal life has been tough, it can be hard to get good work done.

What’s the best way to do it?

Keep yourself busy.

Keep your mind occupied.

And just force yourself to do it.

Also, a good support system of friends and loved ones doesn’t hurt. Don’t be scared to rely on them too. 

Editor’s Note: We are so lucky to have Nick writing for Ohana Homefront. Here at Mission:Milspouse, we are grateful for the service and the heart that organizations like Ohana provide for our military community.