This fall, I can comfortably say I have bitten off a bit more than I can chew. Have you ever played chubby bunny? That's sort of how I feel when I say I've bitten off more than I can chew.
I've been working part time for Fresh Harvest, am trying to fully launch my coaching business as I finish up my certification, started LEAD Atlanta, am wedding planning and also am still working at my job. {spoiler alert: now you see why I've been drinking too much coffee and didn't blog for weeks on end!}
I tell you this not to complain. I am grateful beyond words for each of these opportunities and feel so alive, excited and passionate about life as I dive into them. These are things I have been praying and yearning for during the last few months and years. I am overcome with joy for what this season looks like.
But, pretty much every day I've been hitting the ground running. From when I wake up at 5:45 to crash into bed around 10:30, my brain is churning and my list making is out of control. As I attempt to maximize every day, I've found certain things have helped me enhance productivity. Here are my top tips:
1. At the end of each day, make your to do list for the next day.
It will help you get things out of your head and on to paper, as well as set you up to be successful right when you begin the next day.
I love using the Day Designer's free printable to make mine. My favorite part is that it helps me identify my top three goals for the day and also reminds me to write down a daily gratitude.
2. Protect chunks of time each day.
Schedule calls and meetings in blocks and protect back-to-back hours of time to create more room to knock projects out. Nothing interferes with me diving into a project full throttle than having a meeting in 20 minutes hanging over my head.
3. Take a break every 90 minutes.
Give your brain the chance to reset. Grab water, do some push ups or step outside. Do anything you can to give your eyes the chance to move away from technology and your brain the chance to rest. Then, begin again!
4. Keep a tidy work space.
A decluttered work area = a decluttered brain = more productivity. Math y'all!
5. Check off the little things.
I kid you not, the first things I check off when I get to my desk are: wake up, quiet time, workout, get ready. I do them every day, but I write them down and check them off every day.
Why? It instantly creates a sense of accomplishment and encourages more productivity by releasing Dopamine.
6. Don't be a slave to your inbox.
Reply in a timely manner, yes. But don't reply to every email instantly. It's a distraction and, sometimes, if you wait a few minutes, requests will be resolved by the time you get to your inbox. Try turning off Outlook's popup to avoid the temptation.
7. Know when you shine.
The morning is the best time for me to get things done - especially those involving creativity. Trying to get me to write between 3 and 5 p.m. is like trying to get a cow to produce vegan milk. Pretty much impossible. I try to do creative or brain-heavy activities first, then handle more administrative work in the afternoon.
Know when you're at your best for the work you're trying to do and give yourself grace during non-peak hours to do other things.
8. Stop multitasking.
First of all, it's not real. Multitasking is actually impossible for us. Second of all, it slows us down. Focus on one thing at a time, then check it off that list, baby.
9. Use the internet to your advantage.
There are so many amazing tools to help us be more productive. I love Chrome's free Day Board. When I open a new tab, I can see my five more important tasks for the day, which is a lovely reminder when I'm opening a tab to say, shop.
10. Get rest.
Lots of it. Give up those 45 minutes of late night work to get sleep and I guarantee you'll make them up with how much more efficient you are the next day.
Happy doing!