PRODUCTIVE DAILY ROUTINES

HOW TO MAKE YOUR DAILY ROUTINE PRODUCTIVE.

By Kindra Sowah

We need to be motivated to accomplish tasks during the day. So, to be more productive, change is required. Try not to be hard on yourself if you don’t get what you want to get done.

1. Get your priorities straight

Prioritise the important things. For example, if you have a deadline for something important for the next week, prioritise that, then move on to something you need to get done next month.

2. Don’t drift off

Avoid procrastination: a way you can avoid procrastinating is by breaking a task up. For example, if you have to write 2,000 words for next week, make a daily task to write 300 words per day so it’s more reasonable and easier to get done. Your goals should be realistic enough to be achievable.

3. Rest stops

Have breaks: no one can work for 8 hours straight without feeling tired. One example of an effective method is the Pomodoro Technique where you work for 25 mins and then rest for 5. It’s important to take breaks to energise yourself and come up with fresh and new ideas but sometimes we can get caught up in the break, so be careful not to get distracted in that period of time.

4. Focus on one task

Don’t multitask: people tend to be more effi cient when they monotask. If you have several tasks to complete at the same time, you might not be able to get the tasks completed in a proper way which can cause stress. It can make you forget what is actually important.

5. Put it on paper

To-do list: this will help you stay organised when you write down what you have to get done. They help you make it more manageable when you get an outline of what you have already done and it makes you focus on the tasks that you need to complete.

You are on your way to becoming a better version of yourself.

3FOODS TO BE SURE TO TRY

Humans fi rst started cooking food about 1.8 million years ago. In that time, we’ve collected a decent amount of recipes and classic dishes. Food dominates our leisure time, family time and working day.

By Paula OniEro

I bet you’re already counting down the hours until your lunch break, but food is much more important than just a tin foil-wrapped sandwich in a Tupperware box. Food is culture, and is often used as a means of retaining cultural identity and nostalgia. Signature dishes can become cultural classics cooked all around the world.

To take away the mammoth task of fi nding these dishes yourself, we’ve cultivated three signature dishes from 3 different countries you just have to try before you die.

1. Pizza Napoletana

You think Italy, you think pizza, and there’s no better than a classic Neapolitan pizza. This dish is served in restaurants and pizzerias all over the world today, but did you know that it’s actually the original pizza?

Pizza started out in the southern city of Naples. If you want a true taste of Italian pizza then a trip to Naples is a must-do addition to your bucket list, but with plane ticket prices stretching into the hundreds for a chance to sample the doughy deliciousness, it might be better to start at home with some authentic ingredients and sunny disposition. Rich tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a sprinkle of basil. Drizzle some virgin olive oil on top for a mouthwatering bite.

Try it yourself at:

www.acouplecooks.com/neapolitanpizza-recipe/

2. Paella

Paella (pronounced pai·ei·uh - get it right or be the victim of a dirty look) is a classic Spanish dish. The main ingredients in every paella dish are rice, saffron, chicken, and vegetables. From there, ingredients vary depending on the type of paella or region where it’s made. Now an Abuela would probably hate me for saying this, but - you don’t need a paella pan to make paella. Just use something skilletlike or a big frying pan and the result will be almost authentic. What you need to make sure you get right is the “bomba” rice (also called Calasparra rice, Arroz Redonda), traditional in Paella, and it’s what I recommend using. It’s short grain rice that absorbs more water than regular rice, without turning mushy. Think risotto rice but longer. Paella is fi shy, fresh and delicious on a hot Summer’s day.

Try it yourself at:

www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/ seafood_paella_on_the_grill

3. Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is probably the most well-known dish in Africa. Lots of African countries have their own interpretation of Jollof rice but, in my opinion, the best Jollof rice is found in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cameroon. Of all the African dishes there are, Jollof rice takes the spotlight. The classic version is cooked with long-grain rice and seasoned with curry powder and dried thyme. Most serve the rice with fried plantain, dodo to those who know, and coleslaw. Jollof rice is an instant crowdpleaser which makes it great for potlucks, buffets and even celebrations. To some, Jollof rice might just be a side dish, but to me, it’s always the main course.

Try it yourself at:

cooking.nytimes.com/ recipes/1018069-jollof-rice