Last week I wrote about not setting New Years resolutions. That seems to be a reoccurring theme for many writers lately. We are catching on that those big goals in one giant leap are not realistic. Many want to be more efficient in their daily lives so today’s post is a about setting out on ways to be more productive in our everyday lives. Here are 5 tips to being more productive this week:

1. Get up with your first alarm: It is so tempting to roll over and hit the alarm for just 5 more minutes, convincing ourselves we will just move a little faster once actually out of bed. When I find myself guilty of doing this, I make a conscious effort to put my phone across the room so when it blares loudly in the morning I have to get out of bed to turn it off. Now, if your alarm does not wake you even across the room, it means you need a new method of waking up. There are some alarms that go under your mattress and vibrate the bed to wake you up and there are also alarms that flash lights making it impossible to sleep through.
2. Take 5 minutes to tidy up in the morning: Remember those 5 extra minutes of sleep you wish you had, well take that time to straighten up the house a bit. Five minutes is obviously not enough time to clean from top to bottom, but just a little bit neater will make your return home in the evening much less stressful.
3. Focus on one thing at a time: We are a multitasking society. Regardless of your industry, try focusing on just one task at a time. This will increase your attention to detail and help get things done correctly the first time.
4. Unplug: Yup. Put your friggin phone down! If you are on call, try putting your phone face down and only pick it up if it rings. If you are trying to clean your house, watch the news, and get your kids to settle down, the constant stimulation of the television is a huge distraction. Turn off the TV and minimize those electronic distractions. I do listen to music when I do things at work or home, but when trying to really focus, I do not constantly pick songs or change the station. I set it on one thing and let it go.
5. Plan today for tomorrow: In a world where there never seems to be enough hours in the day, planning ahead can seem like one more burden and we just don’t have enough time for that. If you have followed the tips above, you have freed up several minutes from your hectic day. It only takes about 3-5 minutes to make a list of tomorrow’s tasks, meals, and activities. Don’t believe me? Stop reading right now and go do it.

If you already have a set routine from the moment you wake up until time for bed, these tips may seem irrelevant. I want to challenge you to take a step back and really examine your day to see if you are making the most of your time. Those five minutes here and there on social media or tabbing back and forth between browsers can really add up. I am least productive when I am trying to return emails, write my notes for the day, develop curriculum for my next workshop, and listen to a podcast. What works one day may not the next. It is good to mix things up and learn what works for you.
Comment below with what you are going to do to be more productive this week.