8 Ways to Feel More Productive

04.18.2019

SEIZE THE DAY!

This line is supposed to be motivational, but sometimes I find it rather stressful. When I have a second to myself (usually Charlie is at daycare or napping), I feel like I need to fill that time with STUFF. Clean clean clean. Organize. Shoot content. Catch up on emails. Laundry laundry. It’s a never ending list. Let’s be honest… no house can really be clean (for more than a half hour) with a toddler around. And laundry will never end. As much as I thrive in a clean setting (it helps me relax), I sometimes need to just sit on the couch and breathe. Or nap.

I have never been a procrastinator. I’ve never pulled an ‘all nighter’ studying for a test or turned in a project late. I’m just not wired that way. But lately, I’ve felt like I can’t get ahead and things are piling up on me. I’ve found a few tricks that help me feel productive through out the day (and week!) without making me feel totally overwhelmed or like I have to DO something every second I have free time. Here’s how I’m **working on** staying ahead of things.

START ON THE RIGHT FOOT

I swear that starting the day with a healthy meal affects my mood/self-worth and then productivity for the remainder of the day. I have more energy and feel like I’m ready to go. Accomplishing just one simple task like this by 8am makes me feel like a rockstar.

KEEP A RUNNING TO-DO LIST

Nothing makes me feel more organized than checking things off my list. I’ll even have a chore for clipping a child’s finger nails on my list so I don’t forget to do it. Anyone else?! Having EVERYTHING included makes me feel like I do so much and so good when I check off even a small task.

START A LOAD OF LAUNDRY EVERY MORNING

This might sound crazy or like too much work but then laundry never piles up on me. It takes much less time to fold and put away then piles and piles! But that might just be me…

CREATE A SCHEDULE

This might be more geared towards women with small children but I’m on a great schedule with the kids right now and it’s helped me feel like I make the most of my day. We do a morning and afternoon activity and they both take a mid-day snooze at the same time! By making the most of my time between feeds (3 hours!), I feel like I’m doing much more and more eager to relax at naptime.

WRITE NOTES IN MY PHONE

I’ll be out and an idea for the blog will come to mind. Or I’ll be getting ready for bed and think of the perfect way to phrase something. By keeping notes in my phone, I can easily pull them up to type in a post. By getting posts ready ahead of time, I can be consistent with my content on TAG!

BUT ALSO PUT THAT PHONE AWAY

I use my phone frequently but make sure there is a time and place for it. Nothing is more of an time suck than staring at a phone scrolling all day. Huge breaks from social media make me feel so much better about myself and how I spend my time. And essentially, productive!

MEAL PLAN

Starting on the right foot means meal planning! I’m pretty good at at this but lately I’ve been making too many grocery runs during the week. Or maybe we just run out of things before I recognize they’re running low. I don’t know. I’m a work in progress. But meal planning and having meals made ahead of time keep me sane!

KEEP THE KITCHEN COUNTER CLEAN

I spend most of my time in the kitchen and I like it to be clean. It can’t always be clean, I know. But if I use something like the blender or an egg cooker or a bottle warmer, I need to have it stashed back in a cabinet after use. Having all sorts of sh*t out on the counter adds to much chaos to my life and I can’t concentrate. Out of sight, out of mind! If this one space is somewhat neat, I can focus!

LEAVE THE HOUSE

I have to leave the house every day to feel productive. Even if it’s for a short walk around the neighborhood or to make a Target run. Fresh air + a change of scenery does the soul wonders!

(Also, if you’re behind on highlights and washing your hair like I am, a bandana is a great little trick to make you feel a little more put together!)

Are my tips reflecting some of my quirks and idiosyncrasies? What makes you feel most productive?!