8 Strategies For A More Productive Work Day
Tried and tested, I promise.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to ask myself a lot of important questions when it comes to the structure of my work days. Some days, getting things done feels like a total breeze. Others? Sitting down at my desk and tackling deadlines, uploading podcasts, and planning content feels completely overwhelming. Since I need to do things to make money, I’ve tried just about every trick in the book to max out my day-to-day productivity. For today’s Weekly Hurdle, I’ll be diving into my top hacks. But before I do, two things:
Everyone is different. What works for me might not work for you, and that's fine. The good news about coming up with the right suite of practices is that you have the opportunity to customize said suite. If you commit to something for a few weeks and it's not sticking or helping, then move on to a different strategy.
There is a difference between productivity and being busy: When you stop trying to do things just to say you’re doing things and actually perform an inventory over your goals and what it is that you truly want to accomplish, you may find some new air in your schedule. Being busy is about working harder, while being productive is about working smarter.
And now, my tips:
Move first: Not everyone is a morning exercise person, and that’s cool. But if you want to be your most productive self during the day, I highly encourage you to start things off with a bit of movement. That can look like a 10-minute on-demand yoga flow alongside your favorite instructor or getting up for a nice walk with a cup of coffee to get your blood pumping a bit before getting to your desk. Research also shows that early exercise will help you start the day with more focus and optimism.
Get dressed: While I respect and love a solid athleisure outfit, putting myself together and putting on ~real~ clothes is important to feel like I’m actually starting my day. That’s not saying that ~real~ outfits need to involve hard pants. Dresses and flowy options, #FTW.
Lay the foundation: I have a strategy on how I go about what I put in my body in the morning. First thing, it’s Nespresso (before any workout). Once I’m back in, it’s some sort of breakfast while coffee is brewing (pour over, always). Then, when I’m dressed for the day and heading into my office, I shake up Athletic Greens, pop two Beam focus capsules, and fill a large bottle of water. (If I don’t sit down at my computer with at least three beverages, something’s off.) Fueling smart and starting off my day right is another key to feeling more alert once I’m at my desk.
Make a SMART to-do list: If you’re putting a zillion things on your to-do list for the day, then you’re doing it wrong. You want to make sure that what’s on yours feels manageable, and all items are something that are within your wheelhouse without getting overwhelm. The acronym SMART stands for “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.” Ask yourself if those action items fall into that framework. An example of a great one? “Take 60 minutes to write a 400-word Article for GQ by 3 p.m. today.”
Make a schedule: I remember at my first job out of college, my boss asked me to do this exercise for a full week: Write down exactly how much time I spend doing any one thing. At the time, I felt like it was super Big Brother. But now, I totally see the point. On my busiest days where I need to get the most done, I make a timeline for myself allotting a realistic period to get certain items done. This means I’m more focused on one thing at a time, and helps me stay on task to slay my to-do list.
Take breaks: Even if it’s for a 5-minute walk around the block or a 10 minute freestyle dance break (no judgement, here), getting up from your work station every so often is crucial. Lately, I’ve been pairing this with grabbing a cold seltzer.
Do the hardest thing second: You often hear do this thing first. I say do this thing immediately after something that’s easy-to-accomplish. That way, you’re starting your day on a positive note, feeling hyped that you’ve achieved something — then getting on to the nitty gritty. Like many of you I’m sure, I’m guilty of making certain tasks the “monster” (AKA, the thing that I just want nothing to do with for no particular reason). Trust me, once the monster has been tamed, it’s smooth sailing from there.
Have something to look forward to at the end of it: Maybe it’s dinner with a loved one or perhaps it’s sitting down away from your computer with a good book. Whatever it is that gets you excited, using that as a carrot at the end of a long day is both deserving and fun.