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After you've gone to work, arrived back home, tackled chores and eaten dinner, you might be too drained to do anything but bed rot or doom scroll. One potential solution to this burnout, says Google executive productivity advisor Laura Mae Martin: assign yourself some homework. You may have seen something similar on TikTok — people giving themselves a "personal curriculum" or academia-inspired syllabus to help themselves learn a new language, complete an art project or read a series of old books in their free time after work. The idea that adding more tasks to your schedule could make you feel less drained may sound counterintuitive. And if you're far removed from school, assigning yourself homework may not sound attractive. But "anyone can benefit from something that pushes their productivity boundaries a bit and gets them to the value of learning and accomplishing things they've been wanting to master," says Martin. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to using AI to communicate better Humans lean on structure and deadlines for motivation to get things done, Martin says. "The key is to make it fun and engaging for your brain," she says — like listening to a podcast on a topic you wouldn't read a book about, or using games and flashcards to study instead of reading a long document over and over. Remaining "mentally active" and continuing to broaden your knowledge is beneficial and an essential part of maintaining a healthy brain and limiting cognitive decline as you age, according to a 2017 report from the Global Council on Brain Health. And in a 2018 study of more than 9,800 adults ages 60 or older, participants who engaged in physical activity and mental stimulation had better cognitive function — showing that dedicating yourself to learning something new, at any age, is important. "My 75-year-old neighbor just graduated law school," says Martin. Simply saying you're going to do something, like "learn to speak Spanish," isn't enough. You need a clear understanding of how you work best to be your most productive, says Martin, and a plan to stay on track with your progress. College courses typically involve strict deadlines and attendance requirements. Some students visit specific places on campus — the library, for example — to get work done, physically separating their homework hours from the rest of their lives. Others hire tutors to help them keep their grades up. You'll need to tap into that same lifestyle and mindset if you want to be serious about your personal curriculum, Martin says. After you figure out what exactly you want to spend your time learning, write out the tools you'll need to be productive. "I define productivity as doing the things you intend to do, at the time you intend to do them, in the best and most efficient way possible. That can look different for each person, and often requires customizing how to get things done," she says. "Some people do better 'focused work' in the morning. Some people like to study in a coffee shop or library with background noise. Others may need to focus alone. It's all about working with your brain to more easily accomplish tasks." Valerie Craddock, a content creator, has her personal curriculum for November all planned out, she said in a TikTok video posted on October 31. It includes walking 8,000 steps per day, practicing her penmanship three days per week, reading more to "elevate" her vocabulary and doing a 30-minute workout three times per week. She's also prioritizing solo dates, to remind herself that she's more than just a mom and wife, she said. "I'm keeping this month's curriculum light," Craddock said in her video. "My overall goal is to become more articulate." Doing your personal homework on top of your professional workload can be a challenge. To better manage her time, Martin overlays her work and personal calendars to see what her weeks actually look like, she says. The practice can help you set "visual boundaries" and be realistic about what you can and can't accomplish that week. "You must say no to something or say yes to something else," says Martin, adding: "I may have a low-key day at work, but it's followed by a big evening of activities for my children. So I can see that ebb and flow and manage my energy and tasks accordingly." Want to level up your AI skills? Sign up for Smarter by CNBC Make It's new online course, How To Use AI To Communicate Better At Work. Get specific prompts to optimize emails, memos and presentations for tone, context and audience. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers.
