Are you trying to be more productive in your life? Maybe you’re having a hard time focusing on the important things you need to do, like paying down debt, getting healthier or having better relationships.
We’ve all been there, and while we’re not experts, doing these five things each day have helped us improve our productivity.
Make your bed
Why it helps: Making your bed each and every morning sets up a routine for you. Routines are good as they help keep you on track of scheduling your time, which is the best way to be more productive.
Start with: If it’s really hard for you to make your bed as soon as you get up, just pull the top cover over until you’ve had your morning coffee. Eventually you will get into the habit of making your bed without even noticing you’re doing it.
Write
Why it helps: Writing is a great way to organize your thoughts and come up with new ideas. It can also be a great way of documenting your life so you can get better control of it.
Start with: A few minutes each day is all you need to start with. Get a notepad or download an app on your phone and write out your daily agenda each morning. This is your to-do list for the day that also helps you look back and see how productive you were. Eventually move on to writing short blog or social media posts with more substance. Try to increase the amount of time you write each day until you hit a number you’re happy with.
Exercise
Why it helps: Besides the physical health benefits of it, exercise also helps your mood and energy level. It will also help you sleep better at night and is good at clearing any brain fog you might be having.
Start with: As little as 10 minutes of exercise a day makes a difference. A brisk walk or run costs nothing and gets you outside for fresh air. If you have access to weights or a stationary bike, move up to using them. Stretch, do yoga, whatever you’re comfortable with as long as you’re getting the heart rate going and the blood pumping.
Read
Why it helps: Reading is extremely helpful at improving your focus, reducing stress and improving your mental health.
Start with: If you are not an avid reader already, start with 10 pages a day. Move on to 20 pages and then set aside a certain amount of time, like 30 minutes. Setting these goals will help you schedule your time better, which in turn will help you be more productive.
Meditate
Why it helps: Meditation is a great way to deal with stress, focus, anxiety, depression and overall well-being. Meditating each day also helps give you more clarity and a better sleep.
Start with: Set aside five minutes a day to start. Find a free meditation session on YouTube to guide you. Aim to move up to 15 minute sessions. If you’re serious about it, look into services like Calm, Fitbit Premium or Apple Fitness+ that offer meditation sessions for all different purposes.
The key takeaway from doing all of these things each and every day is that you’re setting goals and forming habits for yourself. Once you start down this path all other parts of your life, like your career and relationships, will become easier to manage.
Do you have tips on being more productive? Share them in the comments below or on our Facebook page.
