Reflect and Nourish

Various sources imply that we make an average of 33,000 to 35,000 every day. That’s a lot of choices!

To maximize my energy and save brain-power for my most important decisions, I take a few simple actions ahead of time that give me more time throughout the week to spend on my most meaningful projects.

With that being said, here are four life hacks I’ve implemented for improved productivity:

1. I pick out my outfit the night before.

This simple habit is small yet game-changing. When I lay out my outfit the night before, it’s one fewer decision I have to make when I wake up, which saves me time and energy. 

According to Tanner Garrity in an Inside Hook article, planning your outfit the night before gives you the time to make a more thoughtful outfit choice and saves you a few extra minutes in the morning.

2. I write a to-do list the night before.

Each evening, I take a few minutes to jot down roughly three tasks I’d like to accomplish the next day. This helps me big-time because a) I start my day already knowing what I want to work on (yet another decision I don’t have to make) and b) I get my work done much more efficiently when I have those clear intentions in mind. 

I also like to set clear goals on my to-do list so that I have the satisfaction of being able to cross them off when I achieve them. So, instead of saying “I’ll work on this project,” for example, I’ll say “I’m going to finish Part 1 of this project.” 

This helps because it provides focus and a set objective to accomplish. 

According to Kat Boogaard in an article from The Muse, writing down a to-do list the night before can reduce morning stress and allow you to get started working right away. 

3. I plan my schedule for the upcoming week on the weekend.

Planning my week out has benefited me greatly. By determining my priorities for the week and scheduling when I will work on them in my planner, I’m able to manage my time much more effectively. 

According to Motion, creating a weekly schedule offers organization and a healthy work-life balance. They advise picking a specific time to plan your week (ex: Sunday night), prioritizing your most important tasks first, and making sure to allocate time for all areas of your life, including appointments, work, family, chores and errands, and self-care.

4. I do first things first.

As I mentioned in my earlier post about finding balance, completing the tasks that are most important to me first helps me ensure that I’m achieving what I want to accomplish the most.

According to “Life After College: Ten Steps to Build a Life You Love” by Betsy Hays and Tori Randolph Tehrune, completing your most important tasks first brings a sense of accomplishment. In addition, they say that taking small, regular steps towards your most important goals each day yields success.

How do you save yourself time and energy? Let me know any of your life hacks!

All the best,

Adriana