If your time management leaves a lot to be desired, don’t beat yourself up about never getting anything done. It is not going to help. You are only going to feel more stressed. Instead, be kind to yourself and watch your productivity soar.
” No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Suppose you haven’t looked at any of my top time management strategies, I suggest taking a look at managing your to-do list first. Then move onto planning for the day next.
These should give you a good grounding on getting yourself organised and back in control so you can see the end goal. And allow you to relax a little bit.
Being kind to yourself can come in many forms and here are just a few suggestions.
Get some sleep
Getting to the point where you no longer lie in bed worrying about all of the things you have to do is a great place to be. You absolutely need sleep if you want to be productive.
Researchers now know that as your brain tires, it sucks energy away from the required areas from critical thinking, favouring those areas that keep you alert. So you can turn up – you just can’t think very well.
Margaret Heffernan makes the point that “Losing one night’s sleep is cognitively equivalent to being over the alcohol limit–without any of the mood enhancement of a good cocktail.
Don’t be heroic, be kind to yourself.
Get at least seven hours of sleep every night, and if your schedule doesn’t allow that, catch up in the daytime.
Think of this as asset integrity: maintaining your equipment’s structural soundness so that it won’t break.”
Trying anything you can to get those extra hours of sleep is vital.
A good tip is simply to working near natural light as often as you can. Studies show that exposure to sunlight improves sleep, thereby improving your well-being and, in turn, your productivity levels.
So try and sit near a window. You’ll get the benefit of improved productivity and better sleep as a result.
Think positively
A positive outlook goes a long way toward keeping you happy, healthy, and productive. Count your blessings, and seek out the silver linings.
Why not start a gratitude journal, or simply add it to your Daily Planner and make sure you jot down 3 things you are grateful for that day.
This will stop you from dwelling on any bad things that have happened and help you see the positive.
If you haven’t tried positive affirmations before, these are an excellent tool to use to get you in the right mindset.
Stay focussed, alert and energised.
How you feel has a dramatic effect on what you can achieve. You can find out more about how your feelings impact your success here.
Working too long on any activity can be draining as the day progresses, even if you enjoy it.
If you want to replenish your energy to get more done, you must take breaks. I know it seems counterintuitive.
Taking a regular short break is better for your performance, and you will have more energy at the end of the day.
Take a few minutes out every hour to move your body, practise your affirmations or get some fresh air. Doing this will really freshen you up.
Do a 10-minute workout in the morning.
How many times have you felt like you can’t be bothered to exercise?
It’s only after you force yourself to go, you feel so good, you wonder what the problem was in the first place.
Exercising increases energy, alertness, productivity and improves mental health by releasing endorphins and serotonin.
Some studies have also shown that exercise can improve your mood for up to 12 hours following your workout!
When you exercise, your brain releases serotonin that helps you feel better and improves your state of mind, making stress easier to handle.
Here’s are some 10 minute no equipment workouts that you can do at home.
If all it takes is 10 minutes of your time and a little bit of sweat to be less stressed and more efficient, it’s definitely worth setting that alarm 30 minutes earlier.
It is so important to make time for yourself and enjoy life a little. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Self-care is essential for productivity, so don’t continually neglect yourself in the name of getting more done at the office.
If you want more time management to help you get things done then take a look here.
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