Soft life is a street lingua for life of comfort and enjoyment. It is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Lagos being the most bustling city in Nigeria is easily associated with this phenomenon. Many people in Lagos and other urban centres crave the "soft life", while it may please them, it can also affect their productivity negatively. It is essential to understand that soft life can be addictive. When people get used to living a life of comfort, they may find it challenging to get back to work or focus on important tasks. For instance, staying in bed all day or spending time on social media can seem more appealing than ticking your boxes of tasks. Also, the pressure to keep up with appearances, attend social events, and stay up with current trends can be overwhelming, leading to a lack of focus on important duties. So, how can you stay focused in a city where soft life is the norm? Here are some tips:
If you are working from home, it is quite easy for you to get distracted, so, Identify the most significant distractions that you encounter and find ways to eliminate them. For instance, if you're easily distracted by social media, consider using productivity apps that can block social media sites during work hours. While trying to balance your soft life with your career life, avoid over-committing as this can be overwhelming and lead to fatigue. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day and avoid taking on too much work.
Read also >>> Do you have ADHD? This is how to stay productive.
Co-working spaces also offer flexibility, which is a significant draw for people who want to enjoy the benefits of a soft life. Most co-working spaces offer 24/7 access, which means that you can work at any time of the day or night that suits you. This flexibility allows you to work on your schedule and take advantage of your most productive hours.
A planner helps you to write down your deadlines, and prioritize them based on importance. Many types of planners are available, including daily, weekly, and monthly planners. Pick one that suits your needs and preferences. Write down everything - your tasks and appointments, even the small ones. This will help you avoid forgetting anything and allow you to stay on top of your schedule. You can take some time each day to review your planner to see if you are on track. On days when you finish your task even before the deadline, you can practice some "soft life" without any guilt.
Be honest - Explain to your friend that you're in the middle of an important project and that you need to focus on it. Let them know that you appreciate the invitation but can't attend at this time.
Offer an alternative -If you still want to spend time with your friend, offer an alternative time or activity that works better for your schedule.
Be respectful - Remember to be respectful and understanding of your friend's feelings. Acknowledge that you would like to attend the event, but that you need to prioritize your work at the moment.
Having a soft life is not necessarily bad, but it can become a problem when it starts interfering with your productivity and lines of work. The good news is that there are many tactics you can use to stay focused and productive, even in the face of distractions and interruptions. Find a balance that works for you and be intentional about how you spend your time and energy.
source: https://hubforjobs.com/is-soft-life-in-lagos-affecting-you-do-these-things-to-stay-focused
Manage your time
All work and no play, they say, makes Jack a dull boy. You can "be outside" - like the GenZs will say, and also be good with your tasks. All you need to do is, schedule your day, allocate specific time times for work and rest, and stick to the schedule. Avoid procrastination by setting deadlines and holding yourself accountable.
If you are working from home, it is quite easy for you to get distracted, so, Identify the most significant distractions that you encounter and find ways to eliminate them. For instance, if you're easily distracted by social media, consider using productivity apps that can block social media sites during work hours. While trying to balance your soft life with your career life, avoid over-committing as this can be overwhelming and lead to fatigue. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day and avoid taking on too much work.
Read also >>> Do you have ADHD? This is how to stay productive.
Take advantage of co-working spaces
Lagos has many co-working spaces that offer a professional environment and can help you stay focused. These spaces provide amenities such as high-speed internet, private offices, and meeting rooms. They also offer the opportunity to network and collaborate with other workers around.
Co-working spaces also offer flexibility, which is a significant draw for people who want to enjoy the benefits of a soft life. Most co-working spaces offer 24/7 access, which means that you can work at any time of the day or night that suits you. This flexibility allows you to work on your schedule and take advantage of your most productive hours.
Use a planner
A planner helps you to write down your deadlines, and prioritize them based on importance. Many types of planners are available, including daily, weekly, and monthly planners. Pick one that suits your needs and preferences. Write down everything - your tasks and appointments, even the small ones. This will help you avoid forgetting anything and allow you to stay on top of your schedule. You can take some time each day to review your planner to see if you are on track. On days when you finish your task even before the deadline, you can practice some "soft life" without any guilt.
Outsource!
Outsourcing is another effective strategy for staying focused and managing your workload, particularly if you're finding it difficult to balance a soft life with work responsibilities. Outsourcing involves delegating tasks to others, whether it's a coworker, employee, or freelancer, who can handle them more efficiently or effectively than you can. Like that, you can focus on other things you need to do without worrying about not meeting up.Sometimes, say no
Learning to say no is a crucial skill when it comes to staying productive, especially when you're dealing with the distractions and interruptions that can come with a soft life. Imagine you're in the middle of an important project and your friend calls to invite you to a social event. While it's tempting to take a break and socialize, you know that you need to stay focused on your work. In this situation, it's important to learn how to say no in a polite but firm manner. Here are some tips for saying no effectively:
Be honest - Explain to your friend that you're in the middle of an important project and that you need to focus on it. Let them know that you appreciate the invitation but can't attend at this time.
Offer an alternative -If you still want to spend time with your friend, offer an alternative time or activity that works better for your schedule.
Be respectful - Remember to be respectful and understanding of your friend's feelings. Acknowledge that you would like to attend the event, but that you need to prioritize your work at the moment.
Having a soft life is not necessarily bad, but it can become a problem when it starts interfering with your productivity and lines of work. The good news is that there are many tactics you can use to stay focused and productive, even in the face of distractions and interruptions. Find a balance that works for you and be intentional about how you spend your time and energy.
source: https://hubforjobs.com/is-soft-life-in-lagos-affecting-you-do-these-things-to-stay-focused