Getting the right start to your day with these productivity tips can help you stay effective from morning until evening. Whether you are an employee by day, burning the midnight oil at night to start her own business or a highly successful executive, you can always get a jump on your day. Here are ten ways to get more productive first thing in the morning:
- Start your day with positivity. Too many of us start out the day with bad news, upsetting reports and irritation. Instead of watching the news or reading the political opinions of others on Facebook first thing in the morning, curate your experience. Sign up to an outlet like The Good News Network that provides good news stories and information about human accomplishment. A recent study shows that changing your news experience so that you see good news in the morning is 88% more likely to give you a good day.
- Identify your most creative times. Many of us have specific times in the day when we are better at doing things than other times of the day. For example, in a recent study it was found that the math skills of students are sharpest in the morning. It may be that you are best at solving problems in the morning and are better as leading customers during proposals in the evening. Utilize your time wisely.
- Get outside. Whether you are a morning person or not, getting outdoors or out to the gym in the morning can help you jumpstart your day. So, give your dog a walk, head to that early morning pilates class or have coffee on the deck.
- Practice your observation skills. Start your day with your wits about you by practicing your ability to observe. So many people begin their day by looking at the glowing screens of their cell phones, staring at the coffee maker or answering emails that they don’t observe the world around them until they begin their morning commute. Even then, the route can become so routine that everything is muscle memory. Instead of zoning out the world, take time to consciously observe at the world around you first thing in the morning. Beginning your day by observing things and people around you can help clear away that fog of sleep that may otherwise plague you throughout the day.
- Get your day started right. Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet so many of us start the day with a cup of coffee, a pastry or nothing at all. Instead, kickstart your metabolism by starting your day with breakfast.
- Don’t look at your tech devices upon waking up. Technology is an incredibly useful tool for businesses and business owners, but it is not the way to start your day. Distracting yourself with technology before getting out of bed or really waking up can lead to two problems:
- Prepare the night before. Getting a jump on your day by preparing the night before can increase your productivity and help you start the day knowing exactly what you will be doing that day. Additionally, setting up a “to do” list the night before can help you sleep well, instead of staying awake and worrying about tomorrow.
- Set your daily goals. Have at least one goal for every day. You may decide to finally get that one client to consider your proposal, perhaps you will take the next step on your business plan or accomplish another task that gets you one step closer to expansion. Starting your day with a goal can help you avoid busywork throughout your day and narrow in on what you need to achieve.
- Address anything that is worrying you first thing. Don’t let small things hang around and bother you all day long. Instead, note down everything that you are concerned about and get them sorted out as swiftly as possible first thing. This way, you aren’t stuck worrying about little things as you try to accomplish your larger goal.
- Be on time. Starting your day late and in a rush is probably one of the easiest ways to have a bad and unproductive day. Instead, be sure to get your day started on time and at your pace.
