Getting out of your cozy, warm bed in the morning is hard enough as it is, but when you realize that you have a busy day ahead of you, the challenge suddenly seems that much more daunting. You find yourself wondering where you’re supposed to find the energy to do all you need and how on earth you’re going to fit all those tasks in.
Whether your plans include work, chores, meeting friends, or finding a birthday present for your other half, here are five top tips on how to increase productivity and ensure you have the most positive day possible.
#1 Prepare for the Day Ahead
Your most productive day ever doesn’t start when your alarm clock goes off, it starts the night before. Now is the time to think about what tomorrow will bring and what you can do to prepare for it.
I’m not talking major prep-time (the evening is your time to relax, after all), but by completing simple tasks such as making tomorrow’s lunch or laying out your clothes, you’ll find you’re able to head out the door much faster and much more relaxed when the new day arrives.
It means that when the morning comes, all you have to do is jump in the shower and enjoy a delicious coffee knowing that you’ve saved yourself lots of precious time and stress.
#2 Get Your Heart Pumping
Studies show that one of the best ways to boost your motivation and ready yourself for the day ahead is to get your heart pumping and your body moving. Yes, that means exercise!
Don’t panic, this doesn’t have to mean rolling out of bed and heading out for a long run; just fifteen minutes of exercise is proven to wake you up and get you in the right mindset for the day ahead. You can do any form of exercise you want to – the choice is entirely yours just so long as you get yourself moving.
Don’t forget, once you’ve finished up indulge in a healthy breakfast to help fuel your day.
#3 Have a To-Do List
When you’re faced with a busy day, one of the most frustrating things is forgetting exactly what you have to do and when. That’s why having a to-do list is a great way to help boost your productivity.
Different forms of lists work for different people, but ideally you ought to have a diary that lists where you ought to be and when, or a smart phone app that keeps track of your appointments and notifies you of them so you never miss a trick.
Writing a to-do list is the perfect way to clear your head and help you keep track of your day, and you’ll feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment and will get a surge of motivation every time you complete a task.
#4 Prioritize and Focus
Multitasking is great (and we all know that, as women, we’re experts) but it doesn’t always help in the productivity department. When reviewing your To Do list, think about what your priorities are and focus on them first of all.
Don’t try to take on too many tasks at once, otherwise you’re likely to become flustered, and ensure that you focus. This way, you’ll be able to complete tasks more thoroughly and you’ll be able to complete them much quicker than if you’re juggling five jobs at once.
#5 Take Breaks
I know, I know. This doesn’t seem like a very productive idea but the fact of the matter is that if you push yourself too hard then you’re likely to become overworked and you’ll get next to nothing done.
Remember to relax every now and again, perhaps enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat, and when you return to work you’ll find yourself filled with energy and raring to go. And don’t forget, during your breaks and come the end of the day, look back on all you’ve accomplished and celebrate how productive you’ve been. This sense of accomplishment will help to put you in a positive frame of mind and will ensure you remain as productive as ever.
So there you have it. Five easy to follow tips to ensure you have the most productive day ever. Once you follow these tips for a few days, you’ll find that they begin to become habit and they’ll be much easier to follow.
As a result each of your days will be more productive than the one previous, and you’ll forever be filled with a wonderful sense of accomplishment and motivation.
What a great list. My issue is being productive on days that are less busy – so easy to think “I’ll do it later, there’s time!” and end up losing lots of time. On days like that I exercise, make a to do list and then use the Pomodoro Method (25 minutes working on to do list, 5 minute break) until I’m done. I also try to schedule something fun and exciting as a little treat for not putting things off!