How To Get “Locked In”

It’s time to start the new year off on the right foot. The key to doing anything to the best of your ability is being in the right headspace and mindset, or in today’s terms, getting locked in. And, once you are locked in, you’ll be productive and successful. So, let’s lock in.

1. Focus

Make sure that you can be ‘in the zone.’ This means eliminating distractions like your phone and putting your device on do not disturb. Try to mitigate the amount of things that could take you away from what you’re doing. This could be as simple as moving to a new location in your house or putting your phone in a different room.

2. Choose your environment

As an extension of getting focused, choose a comfortable working environment. Believe it or not, you’ll be more productive if you go somewhere out of your typical work space. Your brain picks up the energy of what’s around you, so if you’re sitting at a messy desk with things everywhere, the quality of your work and your ability to lock in will reflect that.

3. Dive in

When you need to work on a project, study for a test, or complete an assignment, the biggest barrier is normally getting started. Instead of pushing your task into the future or worrying about a portion you’re nowhere close to, just go. But, do this with a time frame in mind—tell yourself that you’re only going to work for 10-15 minutes. That way, you can give yourself a break if you need it, or alternatively, completely blow past your timer because you’re so locked in.

4. Choose one thing

No matter how great someone can seem at it or what other people tell you, multitasking does not work nor does it make you more productive. It just makes you mediocre at a larger variety of things. To lock in, hone in on one—yes, one—assignment or task. Do that thing to the best of your ability and spend your mental energy on it. This doesn’t need to be overly extreme either. It can come in the form of closing other tabs or putting your window in full screen.

5. Choose healthy habits

We’re not a nutrition blog and we aren’t claiming to be, but to fully lock in, you can’t be neglecting your health. Come ready to work after you’ve eaten and once you’ve had enough water, not on an empty stomach and with a dehydrated body. Likewise, bring a glass of water with you to wherever you’re working so that you can stay hydrated.

Now, it’s time to crush semester 2. By getting locked in and working hard, you can ensure that you’re Ready. Set. Goose. for what’s to come. And, if you liked this, be sure to check out our other posts below or in the Blog page.