Note: This post is written by Cristina Simmons
Having too much to do and not enough time to do it is a common affliction. Unfortunately, very few of us has the luxury of hiring help. This means that your only option is to find ways to get more things accomplished each day. This means working more efficiently, becoming better organized, and managing your time better.
The challenge is, how do you accomplish this? Here are six ways to get more done:
1. If You Aren’t Doing It for a Reason, Don’t Do it
Think about it, how many tasks do you do every day without thinking? They are on your schedule, you are moving from one job to the next, so you simply do them.
Now, ask yourself this question; do I really need to do everything that I do? If you can’t see a reason to continue a specific task, stop doing it.
2. Embrace Meal Prep Sunday
Meal prep Sunday is a concept that was created by weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes. The idea was to spend time each Sunday assembling healthy meals in individual containers that could be reheated throughout the week. The idea was to make it easy to get the right balance of calories, fats, carbs, and proteins in, even if there was no time to cook during the week.
However, if you think about it, there is absolutely no reason you couldn’t spend a couple of hours on Sunday creating large batches of food and then divvying that food into meals for the week.
3. Remodel Your Office
If you aren’t working in a well-lit, comfortable space, you’re going to have a difficult time being productive and managing your time well.
You will spend some money up front, but investing in a good source of light, a chair that works for you, and a desk that allows you to work with everything in perfect alignment will absolutely make you more productive. You will spend less time focusing on various aches, pains, and eyestrain, and more time working.
If painting is part of your remodeling plan, take some time to do a Google search on the impacts of color on productivity.
4. Take Yourself Out to Eat
Boredom is a major drain on productivity. The more bored you are, the more likely you are to stop what you are doing to watch an episode of that new show on Netflix or spend too much time scrolling through your news feed. Even if you are self-disciplined enough to ignore electronic temptations, the boredom can cause you to zone out and daydream.
One way to solve this problem is to simply change your location. Head to a cafe or coffee shop, order a little lunch, and get to work for a couple of hours. The physical activity required to walk or drive to the new location will boost your energy, and the changed surroundings will be stimulating enough to get you focused on your work again.
5. Procrastinate
This one may go against everything you have ever been told about getting things done and being productive. You have probably been told, since childhood, that if you have a tough job to do, you should just roll up your sleeves and get it done quickly.
Here’s the problem with this logic. Big, difficult, and unpleasant tasks take a lot of mental energy. Sometimes they take a lot of physical energy as well. If you are like many people, energy is not something that you have to spare at the beginning of the day. Instead, figure out when you have the most energy, and use that time to work on tough jobs.
6. Put a Throw Box in Every Room
Sometimes, you have the need for a clean and uncluttered space, but you don’t have the time and energy to clean. This where a throw box comes in handy. A throw box can be almost anything. A wicker box with a lid, a large storage tub, or an old chest can all be used as a throw box. A throw box is simply a covered container into which you can quickly sweep papers, books, magazines, and any other clutter that has gathered onto flat surfaces.
If you need to clean, but don’t have the time to find a home or owner for each item that has been left out, just toss it in the throw box. You’ll spend less time, cleaning and sorting, more time being productive, and the job of finding and relocating objects can be delegated to the owners of those objects.
Cristina Simmons is a blogger from Canada. She likes writing about motivation, self-growth and development. Moreover, Cristina works as a content writer at EssayWriting.education. You can contact her on Facebook and Twitter.
I was just thinking this morning that I need to think through how to manage my diet a bit better. Love the Sunday prep idea. It should save time during the week, allow nutrition planning and could always watch a movie while cooking it all on the laptop.
Or the cafe trip should save the day)))
Yes, the Sunday prep idea is interesting. It’s something new for me.
Thanks for stopping by!
I like the idea of the ‘throw box’. I was going through my desk today and it was a bit of a stress due to all the files and papers gathered up. I think a whole draw in my desk turned into a throw box without me intentionally doing so. I think I will defiantly use a throw box now so I can go through it during the weekend and trash whatever I don’t need. Thanks, it was a good read.
I like meal prep Sundays. It helps me eat well and include enough fiber in my diet for the rest of the week. However, it does take dedication and discipline so you don’t slack off. I also like the throw box idea. I have plenty of unused boxes at home, and this would definitely come in handy. Thanks!