The fact that you are reading this article proves that you are focused on constantly educating yourself and achieving all of your goals. However, most people are nowhere near as productive as they could be, particularly in the morning. Your mornings need to get up to speed quickly in order to set the tone for the rest of the day.
That is why it is essential to get into the habit of making full use of your mornings, to set out a structured plan and attack the day with gusto. The following techniques are used by some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet, and as with all habits, the more you practice them, the quicker they will become second nature.
Use A To-Do List And Plan Out Your Morning In Advance
By creating a morning plan, you are setting up a structure for the day. Your brain knows what it has to accomplish by the end of the day, and a To Do list solidifies this both on paper, and in your brain. According to a report published by FastCompany, even if you don’t complete all the tasks on it, a To-Do list makes you more productive.
The other huge benefit of a To-Do list is that it gives you a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction when you complete each individual task. This helps generate momentum and allows you to focus on each task individually. In the same way people run marathons, if you keep putting one foot in front of the other, eventually you will reach your destination.
Eliminate All Distractions
We all know that work can be a very social, and sometimes distracting, place. If you sit near the coffee machine or water cooler, you are more likely to be sidetracked by everyone coming by you, and even though it might only be a couple of minutes here and there, that soon adds up. When you add in other time wasters such as email, instant messengers, Twitter, and other social media platforms, it can be easy to waste a couple of hours doing absolutely nothing. Being aware of these distractors and realizing the time spent on them can better your chances of resisting the temptation, and therefore result in a more productive morning and overall day.
If your willpower is not strong enough, it might be worthwhile investing in some of these tools that prevent you from opening certain apps or social media sites. Although this may seem quite drastic, you will be shocked at how much more productive you become.
Ensure You Are Getting Sufficient Sleep
Many people claim that they are simply not morning people- they are tired, grumpy, or not in the mood for work until later in the day. However, it may shock you to know that around a third of Americans simply don’t get enough sleep. This means that their work suffers, they are putting their health at risk, and their productivity decreases, especially in the morning. A good rule of thumb is that you need 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly. Anything less and your productivity will drop, even though you may not think so.
Wake Up Half An Hour Earlier Every Day
This is a tough rule to follow, but can be a real game changer. By forcing yourself to get up early, you get ahead of the competition. By doing so, you gain 3.5 additional hours every week. By the time you get to work, your brain is fully awake and functioning, meaning you can hit the ground running. The key then is to get into the habit of waking up 30 minutes earlier. For some inspiration, this list of successful people have developed the habit of waking up early, and it certainly hasn’t damaged their careers.
At Level Office, we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make us more efficient and productive. By following the tips above, you will gain a distinct advantage over your competition. Visit our blog to discover many more methods to further your career.