The real power of routines lies in how they help us generate motivation, get rid of bad habits, prioritize our lives and increase our efficiency. If this doesn't make you more efficient, I don't know what will. How do you decide which routines you can and want to incorporate into your life? Try some of these suggestions to determine which ones to permanently include in your calendar. Here are 10 powerful routines that can improve your work efficiency.
I have to get up early. But I also know successful people who woke up later. If you're a night owl, trying to get up early means you're going against your body's natural rhythm. Don't force yourself to get up at 5am, but pay attention to your specific circadian rhythm. It sounds simple, but your body will let you know when to sleep, get up, eat and even exercise. It also tells you when you are most efficient. Knowing this, you will be able to get enough sleep and plan your days according to your energy level.
We all make this mistake. The first thing we do in the morning is open our eyes and instinctively pick up the phone. According to brain performance expert Jim Kwik, you shouldn't look at your phone in the first hour of the day.
The main reason is that your brain is very susceptible during this time. As a result, due to the dopamine release we get from electronic devices, this habituates our mind to distract us. Your work efficiency will also suffer during the rest of the day, because we want to keep experiencing those good feelings. So, instead of going to work, we have been looking at our cell phones. First thing in the morning, there's another downside to looking at your phone. You start the day with negative news or pressure to manage work-related news. This is not the best way to start the day. The best option is to start the day on a more positive note.
Do you use your phone as an alarm?
Then buy an alarm clock or an old-fashioned kitchen timer. Learn this quick rule: get in the habit of turning off your phone alarm only when it rings and nothing else.
It's no surprise to anyone. You need fuel to give you the energy you need to get through the day. Of course, you shouldn't wolf down a donut and pair it with a sugary drink. Think healthier options like eggs, berries, avocados, green smoothies and a boring cup of coffee. In addition to the energy you'll get, these types of foods are good for your brain, as they improve concentration and memory.
Remember that physical activity not only improves your overall health. Any type of exercise will help you de-stress and clear your head. If you exercise as soon as you wake up, even before breakfast, you will be able to overcome grogginess.
As I've gotten older, I've struggled with anxiety. If you've ever had to deal with it, you'll know that sometimes it can be nearly impossible to be present. This can also make falling asleep an arduous task. Meditating hasn't completely eliminated my anxiety. But it has made a huge difference. It has helped me calm down and refocus on what's happening right now. And the best part? You can meditate whenever and wherever you want, whether it's right before bed, the first thing you do when you wake up, or when you take a break at work.
I think my mom would love this entry, although I don't think I was a messy kid. Anyway, making the bed is a great way to start the day productively.
During his 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas, U.S. Admiral William H. McRaven said:
"If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. And at the end of the day, that completed task will have turned into many completed tasks."
"When you actively design and write your affirmations so that they are aligned with what you want to achieve and who you need to be to achieve it - and you commit to repeating them daily (ideally out loud) - they immediately make a dent in your subconscious mind. Your affirmations go to work to transform the way you think and feel, so that you can overcome your limiting beliefs and behaviors and replace them with the ones you need to succeed."
Simple affirmations like "Today will be the best day" can make all the difference. They help you focus on what you want to achieve. These affirmations free up "positive thinking" neurons.
Aside from taking care of your health, reading is the best thing you can do for yourself. It helps you develop new ideas and perspectives. It helps reduce stress, broadens your knowledge and improves brain functions such as memory, focus and concentration.
I know what you're thinking, "When do I have time to read?". Well, if you didn't look at your phone first thing when you get up, you could read for about ten minutes. You could also read before you go to bed at night. Always carry a book with you, and another downloaded on your phone or tablet (always have both options available). This way you can read during your commute to work or when you're sitting in a waiting room.
Even the "biggest slacker," Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, had an idea of how he was going to spend his time. Sure Lebowski knew how he was going to spend his time, even if it was drinking a White Russian, listening to some Creedence or bowling with Walter and Donny. At the same time, no one else knew exactly what he did. While that worked for him, it's not exactly the kind of lifestyle most of us want to live.
If you don't schedule your time, then you're going to wander aimlessly. Sure, you know certain things need to be done. But what are your priorities? When exactly are you going to cross them off your to-do list? Are there deadlines you need to meet? Creating a calendar helps you answer these questions and plan accordingly.
We all have limited brain capacity. If you spend too much energy making low-level decisions, you will experience decision fatigue. You will not be as productive when you are mentally exhausted.
Regardless of your personal feelings about him today, this was the reason Mark Zuckerberg wears the same clothes every day. Barak Obama was also known to wear only gray or blue suits and didn't worry about what he ate for breakfast so he could focus on more important decisions.
I suggest that every night you organize your wardrobe and prepare your meals for tomorrow. Or, you can do this for the whole week on a Sunday. The idea here is to reserve your energy and willpower for what really matters.
I hope you like these tips and that they can help you improve your day-to-day efficiency at home and at work.
God bless you and thank you for reading.
