Don't get me wrong, I love the odd lie-in but I hate those weeks where I've got nothing on and I find myself laying in bed until half eleven or (shock horror!) even twelve! It's not productive and I find that it makes me feel more lethargic than if I had hopped out of bed at 7 a.m.
I love those mornings when you're up so early and you feel like the rest of the world is still
asleep. It almost feels like you're the only person alive. Yeah, that would be pretty lonely ALL the time, but for a few hours in the morning it's pretty swell :) I also find that when I'm up early I tend to get the most out of my day. I know the first half hour after waking up may make it seem like a bad idea in the first place - but after your get over that sluggish feeling (usually with a shower) things start looking up.
Getting up early allows me to be my most productive self throughout the day, and I may not even have anything urgent to do until later on in the day, but it revitalises and makes me feel good about myself too!
So here's a few of my top tips for keeping focused during the day, avoiding that midday slump and getting the absolute most out of your day!
1. As I've already said, try and get up early. Earlier than you need to be. Just because you don't need to leave the house until twelve doesn't mean that you should sleep in until eleven! Get up at a similar time each day so that your body clock can adjust and you become used to waking at that time. Our bodies were meant to be awake during the day while the sun is out (or you know, when there's a little daylight here in Ireland!). So get up early and face the day!
2. Once I'm awake I think that it's realllly important to try not to lounge around the house in your pyjamas - in my opinion that is the opposite of a productive mind! So hop out of the bed, have a shower, get yourself dressed and presentable for the world! You don't have to be dressed up to the nines but I think it's good practice to put on some actual clothes and not your minnie mouse fleece PJ's from Penneys! Wearing real clothes has a way of fooling the world - and your brain- into thinking that you've got your shit together. Real clothing = fully functioning adult. Apparently.
3. Another thing that I do once I'm dressed in the mornings is MAKE MY BED. This is essential. I wouldn't be able to focus and get anything done if my living space was untidy. Just knowing that the place where I sleep is messy would give me brain cramps. Just a touch of OCD there. Everything has a place so put it in it - organisation is key people!
4. This one is obvious but get yourself a good breakfast. Fueling your body and brain with good nutritious food is one of the best ways to get yourself in gear. I generally like to have a cup of tea with a bowl of bran flakes, or if I have time I'll make some eggs. I goddamn love eggs.
5. Drink water. Do I need to say more? I know it's sometimes hard to get your daily intake. But mix it up with some diluted juice if you're just not ready to come to the fully fledged 3L Aqua party!
6. Try and stay positive. When you find yourself in a slump. Remind yourself of all the good reasons why you're doing the particular taskthat you're doing. Whether it's struggling to carry on writing your college thesis or getting yourself to 5.30p.m. when you can clock out of work. Think of all the good things that will come from your efforts, pick yourself up and KEEP GOING.
7. Get yo'self some sweet sweet exercise. Whether you prefer to workout in the morning or the evening, try and exercise everyday if possible. You don't have to be breaking your back in the gym every day either, a brisk walk for 20 minutes will also do the trick. But there is nothing, and I repeat, NOTHING, that will focus your brain and pump happy endorphins into your body like some exercise in the fresh air!
8. If you have a really busy day ahead then remember to take breaks. And by breaks I don't mean having a quick cup of coffee while browsing the daily mail app on your phone (Guilty). By break I mean take fifteen minutes and just sit. Just sit there. A cup of Java is optional here. But just sit and clear your brain for 15 to 20 minutes every so often and your productivity will increase exponentially.
9. Time management plays a big role in order to be highly productive and make the most of your day. If you have an exceptionally busy day then plan your time wisely, and perhaps prioritise your tasks, ensuring the most urgent/important gets completed first. BAZINGA!
10. Most importantly, at the end of each day, take stock of what you have done. You can do this mentally, or you can write it down. Reward yourself by having a little netflix binge or by reading your favourite book! After all, you done good.
(P.S. Water, more water!)
What makes you be more productive throughout the day?
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