Tidying expert Marie Kondo has been the go-to person these days for people who want to get more organized. It looks like her expertise isn’t just limited to keeping your closet junk-free though.
The bestselling author has also managed to become a sort-of productivity whiz during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown. Here are some of her secrets to staying productive even with the distractions that come with working from home.
Starting the Day Right
As you would have expected, the KonMari method creator is an early riser. She’s up by 7 o’clock every morning and is already on her first task of the day: letting the fresh air in through the windows.
After that, she gets down to practice yoga and meditation for a few minutes before heading to the kitchen to prepare a traditional Japanese breakfast for her husband, Takumi Kawahara, and their two kids.
Kondo then begins her workday by outlining a list of everything she needs to get done during the day in both her professional and personal life. This practice seems to be the core of the author’s routine as it helps her prevent her work from overlapping with her personal time with her family.
And after telling her husband and kids her priorities for the day, she begins work at 9 a.m.
Meaningful Discussions
Kondo and her husband usually spend a lot of time discussing their plans for KonMari Media, Inc., a company they founded together five years prior. One perk that the stay-at-home orders gave them is more time to have meaningful conversations with each other.
Of course, the ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ host doesn’t skip on taking breaks once in a while to clear her mind. These short breaks are typically eating meals with her family and stepping away from the screen.
Winding Down
The 35-year-old bestselling author ends her workday at 6:30 p.m. After dinner, she begins her nighttime routine, which includes spending some time reading to her daughters and tucking them to sleep.
Kondo then gets some tidying time in by putting away her kids’ toys. Lastly, she goes over some important work matters before the day officially ends.
Speaking of tidying, the expert credits the practice for helping people clear space mentally while also allowing them to savor the things that bring them joy. Achieving this clarity, in turn, helps them create a space that ‘supports’ them whether they’re working or not.