We all feel best if we achieve the things we want to achieve in the time we set for ourselves or (even better) in less time! A key factor for achieving your deadlines and crossing things off your to-do list is consistent bedtime routines. Yes, you heard that right. Here are some key bedtime routines I think are crucial to achieving the things you want to achieve on a daily basis:
Stop Working At A Reasonable Hour
Determine a time you shut down your laptop and stop working and thinking about work (especially important for people working from home). Set yourself a reminder on your phone and do your best to stop working when the alarm gets off. In order to be well-rested and productive the next day, you have to stop working at a reasonable hour so that you can arise fresh and early the next day.
Prepare For The Next Day
Many people are most energetic in the morning or during the day. In order to not waste this energy with planning and preparing your day ahead, do this type of work at the end of each day before you stop working. Get your things together, look up what meetings you have scheduled for the next day and plan your to-do’s. The next morning, you can just start working without thinking about schedule conflicts or logistics.
Allow Yourself To Not Finish Your To-Do List
I have to admit that this has been a hard one for me but I’m getting better and better at it: be ok with not finishing your to-do list for the day. Sometimes things take longer than expected and that’s ok. Don’t be hard on yourself and try to push through and work into the wee hours just to be able to cross off EVERYTHING on your to-do list. Remember the first routine mentioned above (i.e., stop working at a reasonable hour) and keep working on your task the next or another day.
Have A Wind-Down Ritual
It’s important to get enough rest in order to have the energy to be productive at what you do. We re-gain a lot of energy through sleep. In order to prepare your body for restful sleep, you need to allow yourself a wind-down period. If you go from “go-go-go” working mode to laying down in bed trying to sleep, this is not going to work. Your mind is simply not prepared for resting yet. Instead, create a ritual such as having a bath, drinking tea and reading fiction etc. to prepare for sleep. Anything that makes you feel good and not think about work is good.
Go To Sleep At A Reasonable Hour
Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for us to be able to get the things done we want to get done. Thus, it’s best if you go to sleep with the sun or at least around between 9 and 11pm. This way, you’re able to wake up early (with the sun) and often before most people get up. This allows you to get a good chunk of work done early in the morning. It feels incredible to get things started before the hustle and bustle of the day starts. Try it out!
What are your favorite tips for boosting productivity? Leave a comment below!
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