How would you like to start your day off with a burst of productivity? If you can buckle down and get stuff done first thing in the morning, no matter what happens the rest of the day you will have made progress in your . work.
Having highly productive mornings 5 days a week is easier than you may think. Just implement these 3 hacks and get it done:
- Make A To-Do List
It’s much easier to get to work when you know what you should be doing. As simple as it sounds, many people go through their day on a whim – unplanned and doing the first thing they think of.
Write out a to-do list for yourself. Focus on the important stuff you need to get done each given day – prioritize tasks so you get the ‘hard stuff’ done first.
Break down bigger projects into smaller bite-sized chunks that you can easily tackle even; slow and steady wins the race.
I prefer to make my list at the end of my work day, so I can review what I did and didn’t get done; then, I can make my new goals for the next day. Another option is to write your list first thing in the morning while you’re sipping your coffee or juice. By the time you’re finished you’ll be ready to get to work.
- No Phone, Email or Social Media for the First Few Hours Of Your Day
Hack #2 is just as important as your list. You won’t get much done if you’re distracted. Yes, emails need to be checked, phone calls need to be returned and you should interact on social media, but this is not the time for it.
Keep your first few hours free of distractions. You don’t want to spend your valuable time putting out fires, dealing with customer service issues or worse, watching cute cat videos. There’s a time for that (at least the first two).
If you must check email, set a timer to limit your interactions doing a quick search if any need to be answered and then shutting it off. You want to focus on getting your tasks done and distractions won’t get you there..
- Work On Your Top 3 Tasks
Take another look at that to-do list you made out. Pick 3 things that you have to get done today, no matter what. These should be the tasks that help with business growth the most. Pick the biggest projects and put an asterisk or exclamation mark next to them.
Work on these tasks first and make sure you get them done before lunch. That way no matter what happens with the rest of your day you will have made some important progress.
One suggestion is the Pomodoro Method – set a timer for twenty minutes, then take a break for 15 minutes, then come back and work twenty minutes, etc. It’s brain training to get in the habit of working smarter to get more done.
Stick to these 3 simple hacks and watch them transform your mornings. You’ll get more done and make progress more quickly. And don’t be surprised if that productivity carries into the rest of your day. You set the tone for your entire workday in the morning by getting into the habit of following these simple rules.
If you, your or team, need help with productivity and performance to get more done, reach out to learn more.