Fed up with feeling unproductive? Do the days go by and you feel you're just getting by? Follow these steps to get out of this vicious circle.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Before going to bed
Step 1. Prepare the clothes you will wear the next day
Step 2. Prepare your lunch or breakfast, ready to take out of the fridge
Think of a simple but delicious meal!
Step 3. Tidy up a bit
This shouldn't take you more than 2-3 minutes per room. This is not the time to start doing the big cleaning, just collect the socks and underwear scattered around, dust the furniture and that's it.
Step 4. Relax with a book before bedtime
Not only is it relaxing and marks the transition between day and night, it also helps improve your Italian.
Step 5. Sleep long enough to feel refreshed in the morning
Method 2 of 4: Before going to work or school
Step 1. Change yourself
It's hard to do anything in your pajamas, because you're still with your head on the pillow.
Step 2. Make your bed
Step 3. Prepare everything you will need for dinner (don't forget the side dishes)
If you need to put something to defrost, do it now by passing it from the freezer to the refrigerator.
Step 4. Make an effort to take out the trash on the way out of the house
Step 5. Get out of the house early enough to get to work a few minutes earlier
This will give you some time to get used to it before the day begins.
Method 3 of 4: At Work / School
Step 1. Create or review a to-do list for the day
Step 2. Put things in order of importance by prioritizing them (see hint below)
Step 3. Keep an eye on the day's commitments, and see when you can buy time
It is a fairly simple thing to do with the help of a chess clock to keep near where you work or on the desk where you spend most of your working time.
Step 4. Complete your to-do list, crossing them out as you go
Review priorities as needed or as new to-dos are added.
Step 5. Tidy up your desk before you leave
Prepare your workspace for the next day.
Method 4 of 4: After Work / School
Step 1. Relax for a while, knowing you've had a productive day at work
Step 2. Prepare dinner if needed
Step 3. Serve and eat dinner
Step 4. Plan your morning routine
Do this by checking the calendar to see what awaits you the next day and creating a to-do list as suggested above.
Step 5. Put everyone who goes to bed to bed
Step 6. Restart from step 1 under "Before Going to Bed" to make sure tomorrow is another productive day
Advice
- By prioritizing yourself during the day, you can get your most urgent tasks done sooner. This will allow you to manage those "emergency" situations that will inevitably turn up, busting your deadlines.
- Take some time for yourself by doing something you enjoy. Call a friend to chat, breathe deeply and calmly, or simply take a walk in the greenery. Enjoy these moments that can boost your energy and motivation levels.
- Write productivity milestones on cards (desk is clean and tidy, bed is made, clothes are ready for tomorrow, bills are paid, laundry is done, next meal is organized, dishes are washed). Keep the cards handy and shuffle. Every day you read the cards, dividing them into two piles: "done" and "to do." Complete the cards to do. Putting all the cards in the pile of done things is very invigorating. After a while, these staples will come naturally to you.
- Stay calm and lucid. You don't have to be in a hurry.
- Make sure your plans are flexible.
- As you work on your to-do list, don't forget to add other things you want to do and need to do as well. Also include things that help you achieve your goals.
- Here's an idea on how to prioritize the list: in red or "A" means "To be done today", in yellow or "B" means "To be done in the week", green or "C" stands for "Before or then it must be done. " or "Not mandatory this week, but still to be done." Then he leaves the things that "Maybe" and "One day or another but not immediately" without colors or letters.
- Cropping articles and photos from magazines is a nice way to gather ideas for things to do not only more efficiently, but also more fun. A ring binder with dividers helps keep these ideas all together.
- After relaxing and after dinner, take a walk to burn some calories and get some fresh air. If it's hot, give the lawn water. If it's cold, sit outside with a jacket and a book.
