Want to boost your personal productivity? It could be as easy as making some small tweaks to your morning routine. Avoid these common mistakes people make in the morning that could be sabotaging productivity.
- Forcing yourself to wake up early- We hear a lot about how highly productive people wake up early to get it all done, butChris Bailey, author of “The Productivity Project,” reminds us that “we’re all wired differently.” And he says if you sleep until 10am, you can still be as productive as an early bird who rises at 5am, it’s all about being deliberate with your time once you’re up. You may even get more done if you’ve had a few more ZZZs.
- Starting your day in “reactive mode”- Waking up and checking your phone first thing puts you in “reactive mode,” according toGraham Allcot, founder of Think Productive. Instead, he suggests starting in “proactive mode,” which involves prioritizing your to-dos for the day and making a plan. He actually advises against checking emails until later since your inbox “is a list of everybody else’s priorities, not yours.”
- Not getting dressed- Research has shown that putting on actual clothes helps boost productivity, even if you’re working from home.
- Skipping breakfast and morning hydration- Your body needs fuel in the morning, ideally a balance of protein and carbs, and hydration is important for concentration and productivity. Downing a glass of water in the morning is a good starting point.
- Doing too much multitasking- Health coach Erica Zellner explains that multitasking can reduce productivity by 40%, so she urges clients to “monotask,” or focus on one thing for a period of time.
- Not prepping the night before- At the end of the day, plan ahead by looking at your must-dos for the next day and by getting enough quality sleep.
- Not prioritizing calm- Mornings can be chaotic, especially if you’re trying to do too much. To avoid anxiety, try to find your “calm,” whether it's quietly enjoying a cup of coffee or taking the dog for a walk. It turns out, slow and steady wins the race, when it comes to productivity.
Source:Huff Post