So, you want to get the most out of your day, right? Of course you do! For the past year, it’s been hard to separate work life from home life, and there’s no doubt it’s been messing with your productivity. Do you wake up feeling sluggish and just not in the mood to crush that to-do list of yours? Trust us, you’re not alone. If you’ve been feeling more meh about the days ahead, it’s time to shift your mindset and get the most out of them instead. We’ve put together a list of some productivity hacks that can take your days from drab to incredibly accomplished. Spoiler alert: you’ll have to start waking up earlier if you want this to work (sorry!).
Rise and Grind—Early
They say the early bird catches the worm—and it’s actually true. Early can be anywhere from the crack of dawn around 5am to the standard 9am work start that we’ve been ignoring for almost twelve months. Regardless of what early is to you, it’s important to get that fresh start to your day to improve the chance of productivity. Wake up, stretch, drink some water, and get going. These three actions kickstart your brain and signal your muscles to wake up, leading to you feeling energized and ready to take charge. Don’t be shy about sliding in a morning meditation or affirmations session to set a positive tone too!
Lists Are Your Friend
Write. Things. Down. Whether you do this the night before or the morning of, make yourself a to-do for the day. The visual representation of everything you need to do will push you to actually check those things off. On the other hand, you can divide these into categories and set which ones you absolutely must get done that day, what can wait until the next day, and what isn’t urgent. And let’s face it, this just really helps your memory too. It’s quite satisfying to see all of the things that you can get done in one day when you really put your mind to it!
Plan Your Breaks
Working without stopping is probably the biggest mistake you can make. Don’t put yourself in a position where you’re completely over the day. We swear by planning breaks. In fact, the most effective productivity is said to come from 45 minutes to an hour of work followed by a 5-10 minute break. Whether it’s to grab a snack, make yourself some lunch, stretch, or chat with a friend, allow for the distraction. We highly suggest blocking time out each day on your calendar that’s visible to your team to ensure that you get that time away from work.
Delegate & Prioritize
Sometimes, life just gets in the way. If you’re in a groove and something comes up, you must have a delegating and prioritizing method put into place. Whether it’s categorizing your to-do list as we mentioned above or shifting gears entirely, your productivity won’t be put at stake if you have a plan. There’s so much that we don’t have control over, and to be honest, who knows what 2021 will throw our way. Be flexible!
Don’t Overdo It
There is nothing worse than burnout. We repeat—there is nothing worse than burnout. Working yourself to the bone is not the way for anyone to live, and while we’re focused on productivity here, it’s totally fine if you’re not productive 24/7. In fact, that’s normal. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your tasks could honestly wait if there’s not a 911-like urgency tied to them. Overanalyzing and stressing yourself out won’t get you to accomplish things any faster or any better for that matter. Breathe and remember that sometimes you need a little more than those breaks you planned earlier. If you’re thinking that a task can wait, it probably can.
At the end of the day, tomorrow is a clean slate. Wake up with a fresh start in mind and the motivation to get things in order and crush the day ahead. These are just a few of the simple ways you can stay productive during one of the most difficult times in history, and it’s important to listen to your mind, body, and spirit for any other ways to push you through it.