Want to make the most out of your workday? Consider adding these simple productivity hacks to your daily routine to help you get there.
6am
Wake before the alarm sounds
Most of us go to sleep and wake up around the same time every weekday, which helps your body fall into a rhythmic sleep cycle. Try setting your alarm back ten minutes or so, and when you find yourself waking up near your alarm time, turn your alarm off. This will lead to pleasant awakenings and more productive mornings.
7am
Prepare your body and mind
Each person has different priorities to start their day, and it’s important that your take care of your most crucial needs before you head out the door. Try to keep your morning routine under one-hour, and it’s no coincidence most morning people make time for a quick breakfast before their workday begins.
8am
Arrive at work early
Getting to work before others arrive allows you to focus on important tasks without disruption. You can also save valuable time beating morning traffic on your morning commute.
9am
Postpone your first cup of coffee
Drinking coffee when you first wake up doesn’t make your more alert. The body naturally wakes itself each morning by producing cortisol, and drinking coffee while your cortisol is peaking greatly diminishes the effect of caffeine. Waiting until mid-morning to enjoy your first cup of coffee is actually the best way to maximize your morning energy boost.
10am
Email check-in
Make it a goal to only check your email 2-3 times per day. Getting sucked in to formulating immediate replies can exhaust your focus. It’s also best to read your emails only when you have time to reply, so you don’t have to reread emails and respond at a later time.
11am
Take advantage of small windows
When you find yourself with time to spare, spend it wisely. Avoid wasting time on the Internet, and instead, choose a productive task such as returning a phone call, scheduling a meeting, or getting out of the office for a short walk.
12:30pm
Have lunch and then some
Don’t just eat lunch on your lunch break. Take a coworker, friend, or client out for an extended lunch to strengthen a personal or professional connection. Eating alone is also perfectly ok, but try to combine another activity that you enjoy such as reading or getting outside to enjoy some fresh air.
2pm
Meet and greet
Circling the office for informal chats post-lunch allows you to execute immediately on whatever may come up and still leave work on time. Afternoon meeting also provide ample time for attendees to prepare while also making the next day’s agenda clear.
3pm
Find your flow
Productive people know how create an environment where they can work most effectively without interruption. For some it is as simple as shutting their office door, and for others, it might be taking a trip to their favorite coffee shop or collaborating with team members on a key project.
4pm
Call someone you love
Chatting with a loved on for just a few minutes can provide a bigger energy boost than an afternoon cup of coffee. Your mom will undoubtedly be glad to know that you are thinking of her even amidst your workday, and a call to a significant other can set up plans for later in the evening and give your something to look forward to as the evening draws near.
5pm
Plan ahead for tomorrow
Review the next day’s agenda to deal with any overlaps and fill in openings. Write down your priorities for the next day to begin addressing when you arrive at your productivity peak.
7pm
Dine and drink
A post dinner drink is perfectly healthy, and it can also decrease inhibition a self-critical thinking. When creative thinking relating to current work projects presents itself, don’t let your best ideas escape you without writing them down or assessing them further.
8pm
Indulge in something worthwhile
Find time to do something you enjoy, which is also productive. Perhaps it’s spending time with kids, taking care of an at home project, or simply doing something for someone else. Indulge in something that pays dividends beyond your own personal satisfaction such as watching television.
9pm
Read
Making time to read every evening will help sharpen your mind and relax your body in preparation for sleep. Saving longer reading material for the last quiet moments of the day will help ensure greater focus and memory retention as well.
10pm
Choose your clothes and pack your lunch
Selecting your outfit for the next day and preparing your lunch before going to bed will greatly simplify tomorrow’s morning routine. This will allow you so get out the door a few minutes earlier, and the less decisions you have to make before starting your day, the better.
11pm
Lights Out
Going to bed at the same time every day helps regulate the body’s natural rhythms and prepares you to wake up the next morning in a calm and productive state. Avoid watching TV in bed if you can. Studies have shown that exposure to television in bed hinders quality sleep
Written by Brian Kenny, [email protected]