Could have…  Should have… Would have…  if I weren’t sick.

While I was ill, I kept thinking about all the things I would have accomplished. For instance, I would have increased my productivity at work, completed a professional development course, and delivered at least two speeches. If you have ever thought that you have lost time due to an illness, you are not alone. Your employer thinks about this lost time too. Integrated Benefits Institute published a study that found employees’ health challenges “cost employers in the United States an average of $575 billion in lost productivity.” In the United Kingdom, lost productivity in 2023 cost employers £138.3bn.

How can you reclaim the lost time? If you are currently in the post-recovery stage of your illness, you can remind yourself that there are over 100 days left in this year. If you prioritize tasks that move you closer to achieving your goals, the “time lost during your illness” will not be a factor. An ironclad sense of urgency will not allow you to procrastinate or focus on other distractions.

Below is a list of techniques to that will help you prioritize and manage your schedule post-recovery.

1.       Set boundaries.

Setting boundaries for yourself will hold you accountable for completing your tasks. For example, you can make a rule to not scroll on social media while completing a project. In addition, when you do decide to catch up on social media, limit yourself to no more than thirty minutes each day.

2.       Get adequate sleep.

Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and could negate your post-recovery efforts. Moreover, it can cause blurred vision, memory lapse, and poor reaction time. Eating a healthy meal at least three hours before bed, turning off all electronics an hour before bed, and going to bed at the same time each night, will assist you in getting enough rest to focus on your tasks the next day.

3.       Wake up before your alarm goes off.

You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction. – George Horace Lorimer

You can start by waking up and getting out of bed fifteen minutes before your alarm goes off. You can do this for a couple of days to a week to ultimately wake up an hour before your alarm. Getting up early to work on high priority tasks and/or activities that you dread or would normally delay gives you momentum to get other work completed.

4.       Take one day at a time.

Divide your tasks into two categories: high priority and low priority. High priority tasks are the tasks that move your closer to your goal. Low priority tasks are all the tasks that should be completed after the high priority tasks. They can be done in 15-to-30-minute increments after you have worked at least an hour on the high priority tasks. Focus on the current day’s high priority tasks to ensure that you optimize your time. All low priority tasks can be scheduled for the next day.

The list above is just a starting point that is helping me prioritize my time post-recovery. It is up to you to develop your own set of boundaries, sleep/wake schedule, and pace. Success loves speed, and I hope that you thrive quickly post-recovery.