Many of the world’s most productive people would agree that how you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. But when it comes to getting your life in order and awakening the productivity maven inside, where do you start? The truth is, it’s not difficult to establish a routine that can make your day better. Ready to get started? Here are a few trusted morning practices for a more productive day:
Wake Up Consistently
The first step to productivity is getting yourself out of bed at a consistent hour. When you establish a regular wake-up time, you’ll have more control over the pace at which you start your day. Instead of having to rush yourself out the door, you can ease into your responsibilities, stress-free. Of course, if you’re planning on waking up consistently, you’ll need to get to bed consistently as well. Creating a supportive wind-down routine will ensure you’re ready for bed and can fall asleep easily.
Get Clarity
If you want to be productive in the rest of your day, it’s important to use the morning as a time to establish clarity in your personal life and professional life. A meditation practice can help bring you into the present moment so that you can see what matters most without distraction.
Once you’ve taken time to meditate, you may also want to refine your to-do list for the day. By choosing the top two or three items to focus on, you’ll eliminate the feeling of overwhelm that may come from a seemingly endless list of tasks. Plus, if you do finish those priority items, you’ll feel even more accomplished.
Don’t Resist
One of the biggest obstacles to productivity is procrastination. Many of us put off these annoying chores until the afternoon. However, by that time of the day, we’re likely far less motivated. Instead of avoiding an item on your list, like calling the repairman, do it in the morning, so it’s off your plate. This will free up your mind to focus on the more important tasks at hand. And, once it’s done, you may realize that it was far easier than you imagined.
Monotask
In the 21st century, multitasking is easier than ever before. But, in reality, it just doesn’t work. Contrary to what we want to believe, multitasking makes us less productive than monotasking–doing one task at a time. In the morning, instead of watching the news while eating breakfast, while getting dressed, while walking the dog–you know how it is–consider doing just one task at a time. Does that mean you’ll get fewer things accomplished–probably not! Give it a try and see how this mindset translates to the rest of your day.
Set Tech Boundaries
The morning is the perfect time to make supportive choices you can carry with you for the rest of the day. This is especially true when it comes to social media. If we immediately start scrolling as soon as our eyes open, we’ll likely continue doing so the rest of the day. Instead of getting online as soon as your alarm goes off, consider delaying a glance at emails and social media until later in the day. This will help keep you focused, minimize unnecessary distractions and, yes, make you more productive in the long-term.
There is no better time than the present to establish a few solid morning practices that will set you up for success in the rest of your day. Whether you’re looking to become more productive on a side hustle, 9-5 job, personal project, or anything else, these tips are sure to get your day started on the right foot.
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