Are you feeling drained and worn out from your regular schedule? Is it difficult for you to muster the motivation to complete even the most minor tasks? How many times have you indulged in the temptation to put things off? You’re not the only one who feels this way. But the outcome is always the same; we feel guilty for wasting our time following rather than being productive.
It’s time to take control of your life. These six fundamental tips will help reset your priorities and get more done so you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy. No guilt attached.
1. Set your Priorities the night before
A productive day starts the previous night. Take the time to write out everything you need to do the following day and estimate how long they will take you. Then determine which tasks are essential and which can wait. If you take care of the big things first, you will start your day feeling productive and excited to keep going.
2. Get enough sleep
You can’t be productive and get your whole list done if you don’t get enough sleep. If you start the day tired from poor sleep or a late night, you are more likely to decide that even the most essential items on your list can wait. Set yourself up for success by going to bed a little earlier than usual.
3. Start your day by making your bed
Making your bed every day is a perfect way to improve your quality of life. This tiniest of actions has a much more significant impact than you may expect. By starting your day with an easy task, you start off feeling accomplished and trick your brain into wanting to do more.
Besides, our surroundings have a significant impact on us. Simply having a made bed can make our home feel cleaner and more organized. Sometimes it’s the little acts that produce the best rewards.
4. Don’t skip breakfast
The food you eat impacts your health and your performance every day. Start out the day with a nutritious breakfast, as simply eating in the morning has numerous benefits. Eating breakfast restores your body’s energy and tells your body it’s time to get to work. If you don’t have breakfast, you’re more likely to be sluggish and groggy throughout the day. Focus on getting plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains to give your brain and body the boost they need to be at their best.
5. Set goals and deadlines
No one loves deadlines, but the truth is they do help. You are more likely to complete tasks with a deadline than those without one. Deadlines trick your brain into seeing something as more important simply because it has a due date. The key is to stick to your timelines, or they lose their power.
Short-term and long-term goals can benefit from this form of preparation. It is best to break long-term goals into individual steps with realistic deadlines for each one. This way, we know what we need to do and when.
Setting deadlines allows you to take control of your life and encourages you to strive for more. As you meet these deadlines, you will realize how much more you can accomplish. You just need to have the right systems in place.
6. Take breaks when you need them
Being productive is great. It’s the goal of this post, after all. But we also need to take breaks. They are so important that you should schedule them like all of your other tasks. To get the most out of these breaks, do what you enjoy most; read a book, take a brisk walk, do yoga, or spend some time in nature. These breaks allow your brain to reset and refocus on the next task. And, if it’s on your schedule, you can still call it being productive!
We can’t break down productivity into a simple how-to post, but we can help you get started. Routines, physical health, mental health, and the proper strategies all work together to make you more productive. So, make sure you are taking care of yourself and follow these tips to be the most effective version of yourself possible.