Latest updated: 26 June 2023

Gray, cold February should perhaps be the most productive month of the year, but surveys have shown that it is actually quite the opposite. In February, we surprisingly struggle to be productive, perhaps because the holidays have just passed while spring still feels far away. But there are ways to boost your productivity in February. It's just a matter of deciding what to do, how to do it - and how to avoid winter blues and distractions.

In reality, there are many arguments for the first months of the year to be extra productive; we have just returned from a hopefully rejuvenating Christmas break. The days are slowly, slowly getting brighter again. And the weather is of such a nature that it practically encourages us to sit indoors at the office and work hard.

However, surveys have shown that January and February are the least productive work months. The season affects our mood and thus our motivation and productivity. But if you are aware of the problem, you can take conscious actions and try to turn it into a productive march towards brighter times.

With that mindset as a starting point, let's now look at 5 ways to boost your productivity in February.

1. Take care of yourself physically and mentally

If you feel tired, gloomy, and unmotivated in February, you can assume that it is due to the season unless there is some other specific reason for how you feel. The winter months often mean that we spend a bit too much time indoors, move too little, get too little daylight, and so on.

Even though it may feel counterintuitive to go out in the cold or slush, it will make you feel better. Schedule a brisk walk every day when there is still daylight, for example, during your lunch break. You will feel healthier and stronger, both physically and mentally. Also, make sure to take care of your diet and sleep, which are especially important during winter.

In general, the winter months should be seen as a time when it is important to take care of yourself since the season doesn't provide us with any extra momentum. Taking care of yourself shouldn't only be about exercise and physical health; it should also focus on mental well-being.

In February, it can be particularly suitable to reward yourself with something enjoyable in your free time - do something that you know will make you happy.

2. Avoid distractions and multitasking

As mentioned above, February is a month when we spend a lot of time indoors but still don't accomplish much, which suggests that we are particularly vulnerable to distractions during the heavy winter weeks. Therefore, be vigilant about how much time you spend on social media, news websites, or whatever may distract you. Monitor your own behavior so that you become aware of it and can limit it.

A phenomenon closely related to distractions is multitasking. If you feel winter blues and are not very sharp, it's easy to work on various small tasks without actually getting the important ones done. Therefore, it may be good to regulate your email management, which is a common source of multitasking. If possible, decide to respond to emails twice a day and ignore the inbox in between, focusing on what you really need to accomplish.

3. Identify your priorities - and tackle one task at a time

The opposite of distractions and multitasking is, of course, prioritized tasks. If you feel gloomy and unmotivated, it is especially important that you know exactly what you need to do so that you can direct all your focus towards that task. This creates conditions for achieving flow, which leads to increased motivation and productivity.

Break down the goals you need to fulfill at work into time-bound milestones, or have a regular to-do list in front of you. Regardless of the approach, it is important that the tasks are broken down into smaller ones, and then you prioritize the order in which to tackle them.

If possible, work on one task at a time and focus solely on it. Don't let yourself get distracted, and don't feel guilty if a colleague wants you to do other things. If you know you have prioritized things correctly, stand by your rational and productive work process.

4. Choose the right time of day for the most challenging task

During the winter months, it is important to be aware of how the season affects us, as we have already discussed. One thing to consider is that you may be more productive at certain times of the day and less productive at others. This is highly individual - some of us work best in the morning, others a bit later in the morning, and some after lunch or in the late afternoon.

When do you feel most alert? When are you able to concentrate and focus on difficult tasks that require full concentration? Plan your workday accordingly. Schedule the most challenging or highest-priority task for the time of day when you know you can effectively handle it.

If you work from home with complete freedom, this is even easier since you can work at any time of the day. If you are most productive late in the evening or early in the morning, why not plan the most important task during that time?

5. Be social and collaborate with others

Last but not least, connecting with other people is crucial if you want to overcome the winter blues and be productive in February. Other people energize us, and social interaction is one of the best remedies for feeling down and lacking motivation.

Try to incorporate social aspects into both work and leisure time. Propose collaborations with colleagues if it can be rewarding. Place a little extra importance on typical small talk by the coffee machine, or suggest to your boss that you organize some social activities at work in January to boost team spirit and work morale in the winter chill.

Also, plan social activities outside of work with family or friends. Everyone needs it, but in January, it tends not to happen unless someone takes the initiative. Make sure you become that person.

February can feel gloomy and sluggish, but ultimately, it's the same as any other month and season: it becomes what you make of it. So, make sure to boost your productivity and mood to have a fantastic start to the year - and spring will probably arrive sooner than you dared imagine.