Overworked? Stressed Out? I constantly feel like my to-do list and clock are engaged in a constant battle. Over the past couple of years, I have had a BOOM in business but with the growth came more for me to accomplish. I decided to examine what is working and what isn’t – then figure out how to me more productive. I quickly realized that to be more productive, I need to find a better work-life balance. Being “busy” doesn’t always mean success. Working smarter and having more free time is. Let’s look at a few things you can start incorporating for a new healthier, more productive lifestyle.
- Take Notes
Get out of your head and free up some mental capacity. Using brainpower to replay the list of things you must do when you wake up isn’t doing any good. Put it on paper and get it off your mind. If paper is too old school for you, try using OneNote that will sync from your computer to your phone or an app on your smartphone like Microsoft – To Do. - Plan Your Clothes and Food
Okay, so maybe this one isn’t for everyone, but it sure helps me. I go through and make sure I have outfits ready to go for each day of the week for me and my son. This way, I don’t have to spend time searching for clothes or trying to decide what to wear. I also cook and prep all our meals for the week on Sunday. I go through the recipes and make sure I have everything needed so dinner is quick and easy each night. - Stick to a Daily Schedule
I get it. Your inner procrastinator is screaming, “I’ll get around to it,” but you know better. Scheduling your daily tasks from the time you wake up to the end of your day may sound robotic, but it leaves no room for your laziness to win. But if you can stick to a schedule, you’ll get—and keep—your life in order, and free up more time in the long run. - Make the Right Goals
Along with keeping a schedule, make sure that the daily, weekly and monthly tasks help you obtain your goals, so you’re not just spinning your wheels. Take a step back and evaluate those goals once a month, starting with your personal life goals and ensuring your professional goals are aligned with that so it helps you accomplish the lifestyle you’re striving for. - Manage my energy, not my time
I have read several productivity books and blogs that emphasize effective time-management but have decided that I am better off focusing on my energy and not my time. I have learned to listen to my body when it tells me to slow down or even unplug for a while. I create my To Do List with intervals of time in mind, so once I complete a series of tasks, I take a break. It is amazing how refreshed I feel after a 15-minute walk. And the biggest change for me this year is to UNPLUG on the weekends. If my customers can take the weekend off, then so can I. I am more refreshed come Monday and get more accomplished through out the week knowing that I have the weekend off.
