google-site-verification=OMQxqJQQQq2oLU6zSINISwgbxzQImK84SV3pPW4CYGo
Over the last year, I’ve read several books about harnessing the power of productivity to get real work done and how to build a happy and positive routine on a daily basis. What I came across were several themes that came together for me in one phrase: "CREATE A SYSTEM". Over the last year, I’ve read several books about harnessing the power of productivity to get real work done and how to build a happy and positive routine on a daily basis. What I came across were several themes that came together for me in one phrase: "CREATE A SYSTEM". I thought – that makes sense, once you have a method to your madness it’s a sure path to getting things done and getting them done efficiently. You see, pre-baby, when I was working full time, I had all sorts of great systems that kept me on top of marketing and pumping out plans for over 25 brands at a time. It included strict focus on what really matters. When my daughter came along, I started working part-time doing freelance work from home. It was a hard adjustment to this style of work with so many distractions right in front of me, so my system and my capacity for thinking that way dwindled into chaos. I was constantly distracted and let’s face it a baby throws any system out the door for a new mom. I needed to find a system if I was going to maintain some level of work and be there for my little one. I decided to change things up and put my reading into action and find a system that would work for me. From my reading, I realized that each person's system is unique to their habits but there are several guiding principles that can help even the most disorganized person get on track. So here are my 6 simple tips on figuring out your system: 1. Morning routine: Have a steadfast morning routine to get your mind in gear. The best way to tackle this is to find one that puts you in a good mood to start your day. If you have a little one, set your alarm for at least an hour before they rise. Avoid electronics and emails first thing, that can put you in a tail spin on how much you have to do. Try this – rise, have a quiet sit, stretch or walk around the house, have water with lemon as your first drink, coffee/tea, breakfast (not eating can make you grumpy) and then move into your work space. 2. Create a work space: Having a dedicated space or a desk to work makes a world of difference - sitting at the dinner table surrounded by your kid’s stuff or with laundry to do is not going to work. If you work from home like most of us, there are distractions tempting us all the time. So train your mind to think: when I sit here, I work. Maintain a neat and orderly desk, it makes the mind feel organized, try to tidy up the night before so that you have a beautiful clean space you want to look and be at in the morning. Also, spend a little money to make your work space beautiful for you, it's your sanctuary for work. Try this - tidy your desk the night before so that you have beautiful clean space you want to look and be at in the morning. 3. Find Focus: This one is really important. Block off dedicated time to focus on one task at a time. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can multi task and do everything well. You are really just task switching. You can truly accomplish a great deal by focusing on getting one thing done at a time - even if you only have 10 minutes of uninterrupted time. It’s amazing what you can accomplish a little bit at a time, if it's done everyday. ’ve been able to complete 3 online courses doing it like this. The key is, doing it every day. Try this - Find 10 minutes of solid time to focus on one important task, increase that time weekly. 4. Frequency: Frequency builds routine – this is so true. Once you get into the habit of doing something every day, it’s amazing after a while how it becomes part of your daily routine without thinking about it. The key is to do that task every day. For example, I wake up early and make sure I get to the computer to write for at least half an hour before my little one rises. My goal this year is to write more on my blog, so I need to get into the habit of writing every day to make this process easier. One way to get yourself to do something every day, is to make a list of the habits with the days of the month numbered, post it where it’s always visible and check it off each day when it’s done. Try this: create a list of habits you want to incorporate daily, post it where it's visible and check it off daily when it's done. 5. The dreaded TO DO list: Make the dreaded to do list manageable, by using a simple post it note. Here is a great tip I picked from my reading, make your daily to do list on a 3”x3” post it. You see, I had the habit of making a long to do list that I kept adding to, by the end of the week I was disappointed I didn’t get it all done, although I had tackled quite a bit of it. It can be very discouraging when you look at your list and still see so many undone tasks. Write your daily tasks, on a 3"x3" post it note and you will have greater success in accomplishing it. You can still have a long to do list, but for each day pick the tasks you are going to work on. If you have a big task, break it down into smaller ones and go from there. Try this: Get a post it note, 3"x3" and write your daily to do list on it, if all your tasks can't fit on there, then chances are you can't get it all done in one day. 6. Creative time I realized after a while of slugging away, that I was working upside down. I would use my most valuable creative mind time when I was fresh and alert to get admin easy to do tasks done. Then, I would try to write or tackle my harder work later in the day, but by then I was too tired. I couldn’t get it done. I would leave it for the next day and the next and guess what - it didn’t get done until it was too late. Now, I focus on doing my harder thinking or writing tasks first thing in the morning and it feels good. I am able to make significant progress utilizing my creative energy the right way. Try this: focus on doing your harder projects first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh and alert or at a time you know you are most productive and creative. There it is - my 6 simple tips for getting it done in 2017. Please let me know yours and I will check in with you to let you know how this is going. Share if you liked these tips, let me know yours or leave a comment if you want book recommendations. Thanks. |
Hi my name is Farzanah. I am a marketing pro with 10 + years of experience in marketing management and a busy mom dedicated to helping small business owners improve their marketing with copy writing that transforms their online visitors into taking action. Trending Posts
|