What is the best method for maximum productivity? Is it having a planner, bullet journaling, to do lists, or a combination of all of these?
After trying out multiple ways to have the most productive day possible, I feel as though I may have figured it out (or at least cracked some of the code)!
How you prepare for the day will nourish your productivity.
Although some people might think this is pretty obvious, many of us don’t put this into play, therefore limiting our full potential for having a productive day.
Be honest, how many times have you told yourself you were determined to have a productive day, only to have a bunch of things completely throw you off schedule?
Having a plan set up beforehand gives you the ability to take the day on with confidence. You’re more likely to handle any setbacks that may arise and move forward with the rest of your day.
Achieving a productive day boils down to a couple of things : 80% is setting yourself up for victory and the remaining 20% is everything else I will mention in this post.
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Organization
Having an organized space and mind are fundamental to any kind of productivity. The key is to do things that will help declutter your mind so that you’re able to accomplish a lot more.
Start Your Morning Off Right
A morning routine is essential for daily productivity. Wake up 10 minutes earlier and begin your morning with the expectation that your day will go well. A positive mindset will put the right energy out there.
Remember you have control over this part!
Have a glass of water upon rising, and follow with coffee and a healthy breakfast. Try a 5 min guided meditation to organize your thoughts and keep you centered for the day.
Prepare the Night Before
Prepare as much as you can the night before. Things like setting your clothes out, or meal prepping aid in productivity by freeing up extra time in your day for other important tasks.
Try making your lunch and prepping for dinner ahead of time. This has made my life so much easier!
Not having to rush home to put together an entire meal makes it easier to focus on having a productive day.
Clean Workspace
Whether at home or in the office, having a neat work area encourages productivity. Make it a habit to organize your desk everyday after work, leaving a clean slate for the next day.
A messy desk is distracting and can make you think, “where do I begin?”, while an organized area welcomes productivity.
80% of having a productive day is all about organization and how we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.
So if you master this part, you’re practically there! But wait, what about the other 20%?….
Expect Challenges Throughout the Day (and DO NOT Be Discouraged by Them)
Common Distractions
When I’m in the middle of work and get the urge to pick up my phone, I remind myself how rewarding it will be to finish the task at hand, first. This usually helps keep my mind on accomplishing what’s in front of me.
It’s ok to allow yourself time to check your phone, but know yourself and your discipline levels. If turning it off for a few hours will help you get more done, go for it!
Working From Home
These days, more and more people are working from home. This can be especially challenging when it comes to having a productive day.
It’s easy to lose sight of the tasks you need to accomplish when your TV’s in the next room.
Whether you live on your own or with others, setting boundaries and creating your own workspace can keep you on track.
When you’re at work, work is what is expected from you. Find an area in your home that you can associate with work and productivity.
Keep your notes, pens, laptop and coffee mug in the same place to train your brain – this is your new office.
Procrastination
Ahh productivity’s mortal enemy….
In my opinion, the best way to tackle procrastination is to set aside 15-20 minutes in the day (perhaps set an alarm for accountability), where you allow yourself to do something you enjoy.
This could be checking your social media, taking a short walk or texting a friend.
Getting off “work mode” for a bit can give you a sense of freedom and eliminate the temptation to procrastinate.
You
Often, the biggest challenge we face is ourselves. We are the main ones getting in the way of our productivity.
We sometimes let negative thoughts, like thinking we can’t do something or telling ourselves there’s too much to do, paralyze us.
Training ourselves to think positively is the best way to get over this hurdle. We are all capable of anything, we just have to know we are.
Know Yourself and How You Work Best
Focus on Progress
Wikipedia defines progress as the movement towards a refined, improved or otherwise desired state. Instead of trying to achieve perfection, focus on doing your best everyday to get to where you want to be.
First, know yourself and what you can handle. Don’t try to do too much, multitasking isn’t for everyone and can end up making you less productive.
Pace yourself and focus on one thing at a time. The way I see it, as long as you’re actively working toward a goal, you’re already successful.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
We’ve all heard the term, “eat the frog”, or tackle the most important task of the day first. This may work for some and not for others.
Some people find the “snowball method”, more effective. With this method, you’re knocking out smaller tasks first to stay motivated, until finally accomplishing the largest one.
It’s not uncommon for us to see someone else’s progress and compare it to our own. Focus on being productive in your own way and not by someone else’s standards.
Know What Areas Need Your Attention
If you’ve got your daily water intake down packed but are slacking in the workout department, you know where to start shifting your focus.
I was doing great with diet and prepping meals ahead of time but was seriously neglecting exercise. I then made it a point to go back to my morning workouts and now I feel even more productive!
Strengthen the areas you may have been ignoring, and your chances for a more productive day will sky rocket!
Maintain Physical and Mental Health
Self Care is a key component of productivity.
Start an exercise routine or simple stretch (whichever works best for you and you can accomplish), that makes you feel good about yourself and keeps you motivated.
In addition to exercise, having a calming night routine that includes warm baths, and guided breathing to relax the mind, is essential.
Eat healthy meals and have healthy snacks prepared to have throughout the day for optimum energy.
Planners
Not all planners are created equal and some are just not effective at all. This has to do with the fact that simply writing things down doesn’t always produce action.
Look for something that works for you in combination with writing out your plan for the day. This could be coupling it with alarms that prompt you or time blocking.
Create a System for Yourself
I strongly believe that having systems in place can make all the difference in how much you’re able to get done. My sister uses a daily productivity list and puts it on her fridge door where she can see it everyday.
She has an alarm for each item on her list and can check them off as she goes. This has been working great for her! Find a system that works best for you and continue applying it daily to maximize productivity.
The Bottom Line
The secret to having the most productive day ever?
Two main things: How we prepare our days through organization, and having a clear understanding of our unique selves and how we work best. With this in mind, productive days are at our reach!
Always put your best effort in your daily activities, from making your bed to making dinner or working on something you’re passionate about.
Be sure to keep a record of what you’ve accomplished – I have a notebook to jot down my accomplishments for the day, and read it over to track my progress in productivity.
Try this method for a week and keep a log of your productivity. Let me know if this article has helped you in any way!
I’d love to read some of your productivity hacks, please comment below!
