In one of my group coaching sessions recently, one of the women asked how to have more productive days.
She said that there always is so much to do and she never feels like she’s making progress on anything, because she’s either in a meeting or responding to emails. I thought the steps that others shared were helpful, as did my client, so I thought I would share them with you.
1. Plan your day the night before
At the end of each work day write out all the things you need to do the following day to achieve your goals. Pull together all the information you need, including contact information and relevant paperwork.
2. Prioritize the list
Number each item and do the harder jobs first. This is where my client went awry. She had no rhyme or reason to how she approached her list. There’s always the temptation to do the easy jobs first. However, think about how the thought of doing the hard things hang over you as you do the easy stuff. Think how accomplished you’ll feel when those are out of the way.
3. Stick to your list
Check off each item as you go and avoid distractions. You don’t need to answer every email/text as they come in. Set a schedule to check your email/notifications once every hour, or whatever works best for you. This keeps your email from dictating your priorities.
4. Remember the Three "D's"
Flexibility is key. If possible, negotiate flexible working arrangements with your employer, such as remote work or flexible hours. This will allow you to better manage family obligations or personal commitments while still meeting the demands of your job.
5. Don't procrastinate
Procrastination really is the “Thief of Time” It’s so easy to put things off till another time or till “I’ve had time to think about it.” DO IT NOW! My client is an early bird, so she said procrastination isn’t usually a problem for her if she has something on the list to get done that morning.
6. Plan your leisure time
Schedule out time for you to relax, workout, go shopping, whatever it is that you enjoy. Having this built into her schedule was going to be key for my client as she looks forward to leisure time, especially when she can enjoy it free of “to do lists” hanging over her.
7. Be honest with yourself
Keep asking – “Is what I’m doing now getting me to where I want to get to?” If the answer is “no,” change what you’re doing.
Work with me
With the adoption of a few simple steps, you, too, can have more productive days. If you could benefit from the wisdom of other women, let’s talk as I have a seat in one of my groups just for you. Click here and find a time for us to talk.