Today is about being your best self and living your best life. It’s important to reach your full potential without sacrificing your sanity, low cortisone levels and losing your overall balance. Being productive in the workplace is one crucial way of achieving that goal.
You work, let’s say, 40 hours a week. That’s about 2,080 hours a year – that’s equivalent to working for about 3 months non-stop, around the clock! (And that doesn’t even include any other extra work and time you may put in, or the stresses that come from working.) So…making sure your workday sails smoothly will guarantee that you’re one step closer to making time for you. Here are some things you should be doing (if you aren’t already):
BEFORE THE START OF YOUR DAY
It would be absolutely insane to assume that what you do at the very beginning of your day won’t affect the other 12 hours or so. This is why it’s important to start the day right:
- I know it’s a habit to check your feed or how many “likes” you received on last night’s post as soon as you open your eyes. However, it’s detrimental to how productive you will be for the rest of the day. Instead, take the first 15-30 minutes after waking-up to just be. Clear your mind and focus on breathing. Don’t worry about what you didn’t get done yesterday or what has to get done today. Don’t even think about what smart comment Susie will make once you step foot into the lion’s den. Breathe in. Breathe out.
- Once you’re done with your morning meditation, refresh yourself with your regular beauty regimen. This may also include a light breakfast (keep it light, so that you don’t feel sluggish all day).
- Before you head out the door, give yourself a little pep talk. You got this! You can do it! Today I will succeed! Step aside, Susie! Charging yourself up will give you the adrenaline you need to face whatever is in store for you.
DURING WORK
So, you’ve made it to your desk. Now is the time to organize the 8 hours or so you’ll be there.
- Believe me when I say, planning will avoid procrastination and this will improve productivity. When planning for your day (or even your week), try to keep tasks or events simple – you don’t want to set yourself up for failure. If things don’t happen as planned, prepare for a backup (but don’t stress yourself out in the case of a mishap).
- Along the same lines, try to keep your desk tidy. Organize your work according to categories, level of importance, and/or due dates. You don’t want to crumble under pressure. Pressure = stress. Stress = thinking about stress, which results in no productivity. So, prepare and set yourself up for success, rather.
- If you’ve organized your day and your desk, but still find yourself cracking just a bit – TAKE A BREAK! Cannot stress this point enough. Try to work in increments: 50 mins of work with 10 mins of break. Keep in mind: a break does not necessarily mean that you have to step away from your desk. For those 10 minutes or so, you could simply sit in your seat, close your eyes and breathe. It could also mean stretching and walking around your “gray cubicle”. A little refresher can go a long way.
- If taking a 10-minute pause is not an option, try changing your focus. Switching from one subject/project/assignment to another gives you the opportunity to tackle that previous subject/project/assignment with clearer concentration. This all allows for more productivity, and less argh’s.
WHEN YOU GET HOME AT THE END OF YOUR DAY
Great, you’re home! Your day is wrapped-up.
- If work is what really has you pulling your hair out, it’s best to leave it at the door. Bringing work home with you is a recipe for disaster. And think about it: if you’ve been planning, organizing and increasing your productivity all day, why would there even be any need for completing the “extra work” you just didn’t get to finish earlier in the day? Nope.
- Continue the rest of your night treating yourself: grab dinner, spend time with family/friends, and contribute to the things that help you feel better. Your overall wellness cannot be pushed aside. Without you, there is no you.
AND RIGHT BEFORE BED
- This is the time of day you’ve been waiting for. Make sure that before you go dumping yourself on that mattress or start drooling away that you take time in preparing for those 8 (hopefully) long-anticipated hours.
- Follow through with whatever beauty regimen you have (brush your teeth, wash your face, shower, etc.). It’s also extremely important to put away your phone (after setting your alarm, of course) – you don’t need any #NewPost’s distracting you from sleep. A full night’s rest will ensure that you have plenty of productivity fuel for whatever tomorrow brings.
