I do you hope that you had a very Merry Christmas and have begun thinking of your strategy to enter this New Year the best that you can! This week will be full of new opportunities and challenges. Here is my thought for the week: To get things done, you have to do so consciously and that means experimenting to find your IT factor.
“You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do everyday.”― Jason Mraz
Like you, I strive to be more productive and efficient. I am always looking for ways to do more in less time. Here are 3 things that I have learned.
1. Sleep More
At first, this might sound a bit odd, but hear me out for sec. Sleeping is one of the most important tools you can use to get more done. Just ask Arianna Huffington. In her TED talk, her hard work has clearly paid off. But she has always been a proponent of getting a good night’s rest. She encourages her staff to do the same. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two! I used to be guilty of blindly embracing the grind culture–sacrificing sleep at the altar of goals. Meanwhile, I’d head into the office sleepy, sluggish and tired attempting to plow my way through the drudgery of the day. Trust me, I was not as productive as I could have been, but I learned that not all action is good action. To be effective, one must be strategic and plan well. Without the proper clarity, one will find a slew of mistakes following close behind wherever one ends up. If you can adjust your sleep schedule and wake up feeling a bit more refreshed and energized, you will find yourself much more productive, efficient, and effective. So, try going to bed at least one hour earlier than usual and see how you feel the next day. I am sure you will wake up fresh and ready to seize the day!
Check out Matthew Walker’s Masterclass on the Science of Getting Better Sleep!
2. Plan Before Bed
Typically before bed, I do three things. I write down the top of mind tasks I need to do the following day, lay out my office clothes on my valet stand, and prepare my gym bag. Planning for the next day has definitely, helped me operate much more effectively. Before implementing this into my nightly routine, I would almost dread it when the alarm sounded. I would get up sluggish, scrambling to find something to wear for the day and then pack my lunch. I’d get to the gym and realize, I forgot to pack my shoes or belt or undershirt. Now, things are much more streamlined. Take a moment to think about your morning routine. What are a few things you can do before bed that will make your morning just a tad bit easier. Next, jot down the top three things that will move you closer to your goals—but remember, not all action is good action. Choose wisely.
3. Swallow the Oyster
Even when I determine what activities I need to do the next day, I still find myself struggling to get started. If it is not picking up my phone to check for missed messages or perusing the latest Instagram posts, I do seem to find ways to procrastinate. However, when conscious of that tendency, I’ve learned to curb that possibility and swallow the oyster. I hate oysters—so slimy, hard to swallow, but doable. So, here is your plan to get it done.
If you prepared your things for the day, finish up your regular morning routine, and then revisit the list of 3 things you must get done. Next prioritize the list of 3 tasks that you want to complete first. For each determine, the steps that need to be done. Which one will take the longest? Now, reprioritize your list by making the one that takes the longest first. Surprised? Well, we are more likely to procrastinate on tasks that take longer and that seemingly do not have a quick resolution. We put it last. We procrastinate. So, let’s get on with it.
Once you have completed the hardest task. You will feel a great sense of accomplishment that will propel you to finish the other things on your list. When you have ticked off the third checkpoint, you will be on cloud nine.
While these may seem insanely simple, do not be fooled by the banal nature of the topics. Implement them quickly and let me know what you got out of it. If you did all 3 and you weren’t more productive, let me know and I will personally help you. I want to see you succeed and be more effective and prosperous in all aspects of your professional life!
Later Alligator,
