Do you have a never-ending list? Me too.
The other day while out on a run, I witnessed the return of robins. Oh yay! Spring is on the way!
With the return of robins, I reflected on the changing seasons. It got me thinking: life has seasons just like the physical, cyclical seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter. We don't always recognize the season we're in is just that. A season. It isn't forever.
For all you doers, remember...
there are sprints, stops, stalls, and single steps in your journey. It's important to identify which season you're in so you won't beat yourself up for not achieving as much as you desire and plan.
Where do you start?
Start STRONG!
1. Stop and remember your why (Click here to read my Why pandemic story guest post- my story is the last one of the post.)
In my upcoming book, I go into each STRONG step deeper with doable real strategies and relatable stories. 😊
Amazingly, none of these 6 steps have to do with time management. They are rooted in filling yourself up so that you have a STRONG mindset. When your soul is filled, your thoughts thrive in positive possibilities, and your actions follow. Thus, more gets done.
A depleted soul is sapped singling in on negativity. Your actions follow.
Get more done with doing less and starting STRONG! What? Do less?
Yes!
Know your why. This determines priorities. Instead of doing all the things, you'll only do what matters most to you leaving you fulfilled with capacity to do more.
After you rest and revive, these 20 tips from Inc.(infused with my flair) are sure to help you get more done:
1. Know where you are and where you want to be. You need to know both where you are and what you want to accomplish every day. This is not that bulky business plan you never look at. This is about knowing what should happen every single day and which of these tasks will move the needle most for your business. 2. Get enough sleep. This cannot be overstated. If you're exhausted, you won't get as much done and you'll make more mistakes. Whether you choose to rise early or work late and sleep in, make sure you get enough rest. 3. Get fit. Getting fit can make a big difference in your productivity and perspective. Making simple, small changes in regards to your physical activity can improve your business and your life, as well as help you get more done and ultimately reach your goals. 4. Take steps toward a deadline. When you're moving your projects toward completion, you're doing real, important work. If you spend an hour organizing your inbox, what have you accomplished? Work on your priorities first. Always. 5. Use a prioritized checklist. By having a list of all that needs to be done, with the most important projects first, you'll set yourself up for success. Checking off tasks is satisfying, and you'll ensure the key ones aren't forgotten.
Schedule your priorities instead of prioritizing your schedule
6. Don't overcommit. This is a great tip from Lifehack. Not only should you not overcommit in a single day, but you should also carefully monitor your overall workload. Don't be afraid to say no sometimes. 7. Close social media. Close Facebook, Twitter, and anything else that distracts you. If you want to get work done, you'll need to cut off the avenues you use to procrastinate. Author Jon Acuff calls anything that pulls you away from your priority is a hideout. So scrolling, scrolling, scrolling through social media instead of completing a priority task is a hideout. (Finish first and then reward yourself with a hideout if you still have a desire to do the thing that is preventing you from doing the main thing.) 8. Forget multitasking. Multiple studies, including one using MRI images from the University of Michigan, show that effective multitasking is a myth. The brain switches tasks quickly, but too much switching decreases concentration and increases mistakes. Have a fixed focus. I love to use focus music. Do what works best for you. 9. Use the Pareto Principle. Listen to Tim Ferris' and put your focus on the 20 percent of your tasks that give you 80 percent of your results. 10. Focus on service. When you spend time each day serving others, you'll find yourself feeling so empowered and motivated that tackling your own tasks is a no-brainer. 11. Use time blocks. Rather than bouncing around from task to task, set blocks of uninterrupted time to work on specific items. Make sure your employees know these are "no-talking times." Focused work will let you get more done quickly. 12. Use a timer. When working through your tasks, estimate how long they will take and then try to beat the clock. It can make even dull tasks into a fun game, and you'll surprise yourself with how fast you can be. 13. Create routines. Habits are one of life's strongest forces. The more tasks you can make into habitual routines, the more energy you'll have left for bigger tasks. As the Harvard Business Review notes, we have a limited amount of willpower. Be sure you're circumventing the amount you need to use by implementing good routines. 14. Change your environment. Doing the same things, in the same place, day after day can cause burnout. Try a change of pace and do your work in a different location. 15. Work out midday or simply get up and get moving Exercise has proven benefits when it comes to energy and feeling great. By taking a midday workout break, you can come back to your work refreshed and more productive. Get up and get moving by going for a walk or doing yoga. Getting your blood pumping not only feels great but gives you the edge you need to finish. 16. Capture fleeting thoughts. Nothing uses up brainpower like trying not to forget something. By writing it down immediately, you'll free up your mind to focus on other, more productive tasks. 17. Replace "I can't" with "How?" When it comes to being productive and overcoming burnout, you can't accomplish what you think is impossible. By asking how to accomplish something instead, you'll frame your work as achievable and get more done. 18. If you're struggling, take a break. Odd as it seems, sometimes the way forward is to stop. Regular breaks will give you a fresh start on your tasks. 19. Handle paper and email once. By forcing yourself to take action on papers or emails right away, you'll avoid having them pile up into an overwhelming mass. Make it a goal to handle them only once. (I schedule a time I will work on them. I don't read them all throughout the day when they enter my inbox. ) 20. Eat healthy snacks. What you eat has a big impact on how you feel. Rather than eating something that will give you a sugar rush and then a crash, focus on healthy foods like nuts or carrots.
Having a focused, productive day isn't always easy. Especially when you're a doer who always has more to do. However, by following these tips and starting STRONG you'll be well on your way to getting all priorities accomplished. In the end, you'll find yourself truly productive--not just busy. Be sure to keep an "I did it!" list to replace your never-ending "to do" list.
I believe in you.
You make a difference!
💕Pamela
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Source: https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/20-tips-for-getting-more-done-every-day