Sometimes it can be such a struggle to have a productive day. You know those situations where you have no choice but to do the thing you put off? You’ve procrastinated far too much and now the deadline is right in front of you, and you know that there’s no more putting it off. I know we have all been in that situation more than once in our lives. Sometimes we set our selves up fail because we fail to prepare. We don’t take the necessary steps to set ourselves up to have a productive day.
I want to mention that its perfectly okay to not have a productive day. You don’t have to work 24/7. You are allowed to rest and do nothing. Society has made us think that if we aren’t doing something everyday, then we are failures or lazy. When thats not the case at all. Even God had a day off after he made the world. You deserve one too! Taking time to rest and having time to recoup is essential to completing any task in life. Not giving your mind and body the time off it deserves can be really detrimental to you and possibly your wellbeing.
In todays post I will be sharing some things we can all do to prepare ourselves to have a productive day tomorrow. Those small steps that will save you time the next day. And things that can motivate you to have that productive day.
PREPARE THINGS THE DAY BEFORE
It may seem obvious, but preparation really is key. In the moment it can be annoying to have to get up and prepare for the next day. But actually, you are looking after your future self. It doesn’t have to be something big, but maybe something small. It could be making food for the week at the weekend. Or laying out your clothing and products you need to get ready the next morning.
For example, I tend to prepare breakfast or lunch the day before. So that I don’t have to rush and do it on a day that I am working. This really helps me out and saves me time that I don’t have when it’s the working week. Its something small, but something that I know benefits me the day after.
I notice that when I do this, I am so much happier and less stressed on the day. Because I have prepared myself for it.
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WRITE A TO DO LIST
Something that is super helpful in having a productive day is generating a to do list. It doesn’t have to be a big list, maybe with a couple of key tasks on there. If you’re anything like me, I get so easily overwhelmed when I have too much on my plate. Creating a to do list can help you put things into manageable chunks. And it saves you becoming stressed about all you have to do that day.
It’s important that you set daily goals that are achievable. Don’t set yourself up to fail by setting unrealistic goals. This wont help with creating a good mindset for yourself.
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GO TO BED EARLY
Sleep is one of the most important things to have a productive day. Getting enough sleep is so very vital to make sure you have enough energy to get through your day. Lack of sleep can really affect you physically and mentally. Take the correct measures to make sure you are getting a decent nights sleep and you’ll be surprised at how it helps you in day to day life.
I go through phases where I struggle to sleep and have an action plan when it happens. I prefer to try natural remedies to resolve any health/body issues I have. Using essential oils and not being on technology before sleeping are just two ways you can help to better your sleep at night.
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How do you prepare to have a productive day tomorrow? Do you have any tips you can share with us?
Olivia x
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“Having a productive day is to start and complete ‘whatever’
that-which was your goal for that day.” _-Van Prince
YEP!
your response is right and airtight!
Okay.. first of all. What you said is absolutely right!
“It’s okay to not have a productive day.”
Sometimes people get too depressed when they couldn’t have a productive day as per their plan.
And this post is absolutely great.. cuz you have mentioned almost everything you could possibly do to look forward to a productive day!
When I am unproductive, I watch some vlogs and stuff..
Or
Clean up my desk area.. and things like that..
To do lists keeps me running tbh! 😂
Its true, not everyday has to be filled with things. Sometimes being productive can look like you spending the day watching movies!
I totally agree with you!!😃
The issue I have is being comfortable with the aspect of not having a productive day that I then become too comfortable with accepting unproductivity several times a week, which is also a bad thing
Thats where you have to create that healthy balance of both. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be one or the other
I love planning for the next day. Even just getting my mind wrapped around everything that I need done keeps it fresh in my mind in the morning.
Yes me too, its like a present for your future self!
These are simple things, yet have a profound effect on the day. Great points to have us reminded.
Agreed!
I totally agree with you. Today I didn’t do anything. And I maintain a notepad just for writing my to-do list.
And thats okay! 🙂
I definitely make a to-do list too! It’s mentally exhausting trying to remember all the things coming up, so I map things out on my calendar & day planner too
It really is, and often when I try to do that I end up forgetting things!
Writing to do lists definitely helps me from procrastinating, I find it easier to get things done that way! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
For sure! Me too! x
Love this Olivia – to do lists definitely help me! I usually write them down in a journal! Great post! <3
Thanks so much Zainab! x
This has really helped me. I did a to do list and worked my way down it. I’m not bothered if I don’t do it all in a day as long as it’s done by the end of the week. Thank you and a great reminder that being productive can mean self care wise too x
I think creating the list itself is the important thing. Because even if you don’t complete everything on there, its there for you to complete tomorrow!
Another great post. Thanks for the reminder that it’s totally okay not to do anything. I also love to use a To-Do list.
Thanks so much for reading!
I love planning a head. I don’t like to not have anything planned out. I have also learned that it’s okay if you don’t get everything done in the day. As long as everything gets done it’s fine but their truly is no need to rush.
It really is! Getting nothing done that day, is 100% fine!
Beautiful post as always!! I completely agree with your points thank you so much for sharing
Thanks so much Tia! Nice to hear form you! x
Thank you! I’ve been struggling to network for a while but I still love reading your blogs xx
Writing a to-do list like setting the goals is the best thing we can do and it eventually works out for me.
Me too!
You are right!! Whenever I read such articles, I’m like wow I have been subconsciously already following all this lol! Though the pandemic did hamper my daily productivity in still tryna do the best I can so yeah! Cheers to everyone out there feeling sad, you will be fine.
Amazing that you were already doing it! You’re doing great 🙂
Awesome post! I use Notion for my weekly schedule and my to-do lists 🤓
Oh awesome! I haven’t ever heard of this!
Great post. Some of the suggestions are the classic back to basics, but these are what we forget to do. Seeing it in a post gives us that reminder to do those simple things. Loved reading this. Thank you
For real they are! And as you said, people often forget to do the basics!
This is very, very good advice, Olivia. Each of the strategies you have listed I used for many years. My to do list is really a to do calendar i.e. I map out what I am doing over at least a fortnight in details, with other matters planned out for at least three months. I then will adjust day to day, depending on what the emerging priorities are.
To procrastinate is important from time to time, and giving yourself permission to take time out is essential in today’s world. For some, the pandemic has intensified this. In my case, I have ended up with a client explosion and have had momentary thoughts of taking on staff. However, working collaboratively with others on an as needs basis is proving to be far more enjoyable.
Going to bed, is perhaps the wisest move. Then, if you wake up early, you have time to double check etc before taking action for the day. One thing I have done for quite a few years now is if I am driving (or flying) to a client, conference and so on, I arrange to get to my destination the day before. Sometimes, when I have finished, I will then leave a day later.
Hi Olivia
What a great read! Very practical tips, yet its so easy to overlook that not doing anything, sometimes is self-care.