Staying focused and on track can sometimes be difficult when distractions are everywhere, especially when you work from home!
My productivity needs to be high at all times. At the moment, I am a full time Realtor, I manage a branding business and blog, I consult for a management firm and I run a household. Oh! And did I mention I am the mommy of a little 2 year old kitty who craves attention constantly? No rest for the wicked!
I decided to share my strategies on how I stay productive even on the days I feel like laying on the couch in my pajamas watching Netflix and eating chocolate cake all day. There are many days I wake up and I naturally have the energy to do a thousand and one things. I find that having a vision board is a huge way of helping you stay focused to achieving your goals. Stay tuned for a blog post coming up at the end of this month of vision boards!
Here are a few strategies I keep in mind daily as I conquer my lists of things to do:
#1 – Wake Up, Dress Up & Show Up (Mentally)
Some of us work from home. Therefore negotiating deals and communicating with clients while wearing an oversized t-shirt and cut off shorts all while doing laundry seem to fit the role. I used to be so guilty of this, and from time to time, still catch myself doing just this!
Make it a habit to wake up early, get dressed as if you were going to meet a client and set your work space up with your current projects. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Don’t overwhelm yourself with working on too much at once. Give yourself time by prioritizing your workload throughout a week at a time.
Be prepared physically and mentally to take on tasks on your to-do list. Being prepared mentally is one thing, but looking good while you do what you need to do to run your business is the icing on the {chocolate} cake!
#2 – Workout in the morning
Yes…..working out is on this list! For me, working out first thing in the morning gets my blood circulating and my mind thinking about what I need to do. By adding this to your morning routine, it is off your agenda and allows you to accomplish more of what is on your list. Working out in the mornings also allows us to not procrastinate about working out in general at the end of the day ;)
#3 – Create a To-Do List
I can’t tell you how many lists I have made in my life because I make a list for everything! Lists are a good way of controlling how much you are expecting of yourself each day. Your list should include what you realistically think you should accomplish in your day. Stay true to it and refer to your list as often as you can to ensure you are not working too much on one project and to eliminate distractions.
Don’t write too much in for one day and DON’T forget to add the fun stiff like buy chocolate cake…. ;)
#4 – Have a Routine
Having a routine is very important in order for you to be successful and productive. Nothing ruins your productivity more than a sporadic day without a plan. Consistency is key with any routine you follow. Of course not every day will be like the other, but once you have a solid foundation down of what you need to do, you will get more and more accomplished each day.
#5 – Be Passionate About Your Work
If you are not passionate about your work and the things you want to accomplish, stop and revisit your "why".
Having passion in what you do is a critical element of your success. If you’re not in the mood one day, take a break and do something to get you back in your groove, but don’t get lazy! Have a natural love for your work and have faith in yourself that whatever you are doing now will be worth it in the future.
#6 – Get Excited!
Being productive is all about being motivated. If you are not motivated, you can’t possibly be productive. Think about the things you want to achieve. Visualize the bigger picture of your goals…Vision Board ;) Always set goals at the beginning of your day and constantly check throughout your day on the progress you’ve made.
Give yourself reasons to get through your lag. Think about your final goal. Picture yourself accomplishing that goal, and then….make it happen. It’s all mind over matter. Positive vibes will bring you positive results. I am a strong believer in this.
#7 – Prepare Yourself Mentally
What gets you in your zone in order for you to get up and tackle your to-do list? For me, it’s two things: a clean condo and music! I can’t live without my music as it is, but music AND a clean condo AND kicking my to-do list in the butt – WINNING!!!
Surround yourself with what makes you feel comfortable. Light candles if you need to, set up your workstation with ONLY the projects you need to accomplish that day. Whatever puts you in your zone – do it and make it work for you. The worst thing to do is start a to-do list with a million and one distractions to deal with.
Being productive takes a lot and managing your time is a crucial part of it. These strategies work well together and once you master these little steps, you will find it easier to stay motivated and to get as much done as you realistically can in a given day.
Just don’t overwhelm yourself! It’s important to make time for the simple things in life. Work is great if you are passionate about it, but don’t forget how blessed you are and enjoy your life in every way.
With Love,
Nikki