Mobile technology has enabled us to not only work more flexibly, but also work more. It's now commonplace to dash off an email during dinner or while visiting with friends. Although we can now always check in on a project remotely, it can be both a blessing and a curse, as the constant presence of technology has made some of us forget how to prioritize deadlines and work toward long-term goals.
But these same tools that can be a distraction and hindrance can also set the stage for better productivity when used as planning tools. These four tips can set the stage for a productive day before even setting foot in the office.
The Time Blocking Method
Write down - yes, on paper - the things you need to accomplish the next day. Make a list of all your assignments, meetings, and other tasks a day ahead. Start by organizing your meetings and phone calls by time, then block out the remaining hours for other assignments in order of priority.
This might not sound flexible, as things are bound to come up during the day. But instead of trying to accomplish too many things at once, this helps you focus on the task at hand and get the job done. Anything that pops up during the day can be slotted in to your free time or during a lower-priority assignment.
To help you stick to your time blocks, try tools like StayFocusd, which allows you to set limits to how much time you spend unfocused on the internet.
Stick to a Routine
Even our basic morning routines and commutes to work don't always go as planned. Most of us have a schedule or workflow built into our jobs, and there's always room to optimize it. The Workflow app can help you cut down time on your daily routine - avoiding traffic, finding a closer coffee shop - so you can make it to work on time and have the rest of your day go smoothly.
Break Down Deadlines into Realizable Goals
Planning out your day the night before sounds easy enough, but what about the week, month, or year? The micro-level of day-to-day planning can sometimes make you lose sight of the big picture.
If you break down distant deadlines into weeks and days, you won't be left scrambling at the last minute. If your goal is to save a certain amount in a year, figure out how much you need to put away with each paycheck. If you're working on a project spanning several weeks or months, breaking it down into a timeline will help you stay on deadline.
Get Some Sleep
The best way to make sure you wake up on time and start your day right is to go to bed early. Coffee can only do so much when you don't get enough rest, and you'll be left feeling sluggish and unproductive. Cut down on TV time, stop looking at work emails at least two hours before going to bed, and make more time to wind down.
To find out if you're getting enough sleep in the first place, try using a fitness tracker like FitBit or an app like SleepCycle, which will give you a better understanding of your sleeping habits.
When all of these things become second-nature habits, when you wake up in the morning, it won't just feel like there's less work to do - you will actually save yourself the extra work.
