5 ways to get more done without added stress
Getting more out of the time you have, gives more time for the things you truly care about. There are things we need to do and things we want to do and my goal is to help you have more time for the things on your want-to-do list.
Make sure your energy levels are on point
Energy levels influence performance. Sometimes it’s subtle, and you don’t understand why you are moving so slow, and sometimes you can feel it with your whole being.
Achieving stable energy levels looks different for different people. For me it's all about sleep: I need a proper night's rest to make sure I perform my best. That all starts with my evening routine which sets me up for success early.
For you it might be something else. Here are some suggestions: a morning routine, exercise, healthy eating or mediation.
And I have homework for you: figure out what makes your energy levels rise and how to make sure you start the day productive and well.
Keep a to do list
Research shows that on average we can hold 7 things in our minds at once. That means if you have more than 7 things to remember you need a to do list. Keeping a to do list handy means that you can jot down any thought, idea or task down quickly, without letting it distract you from what you are doing right now.
It is so easy to be distracted, and jumping from one task to the next, and that leads to less done by the end of the day. Keeping a list makes it easier for you to get distractions out of your mind, while also making sure nothing falls though the cracks.
Break goals into smaller, manageable tasks
We all have those huge tasks we need and want to get done, but sometimes the most difficult things is to get started. Breaking goals into smaller tasks makes it easier to move forward. When we try to do too much we get less done.
By making sure you have a lot of smaller things to cross off your list throughout the day you make it more manageable, you keep your forward momentum and get started on that big goal.
“Create more time for the things on your want-to-do list.”
Schedule uninterrupted time
If you have a lot to do, try to make sure you have some time that is uninterrupted. Why is this important? Research shows that each time you are interrupted and have to turn back to your work, you loose more time than the actual interruption. It takes time to get focus back to the task at hand.
This is also a great time to do some Focus Days or hours. A focus day means spending at least 80% of that day on a specific task or activity. If you you don't have time for a whole day, scheduling a 90 minute powerblock can really help you move towards your goal.
Prioritize
This one is important: make sure you prioritize your tasks, that way you know that the most important tasks gets done first, and you don’t have the added stress of having to fit them in at the end of the day.
It’s important to plan ahead and know what you still need to do. Without a plan it’s much easier to get stressed and overwhelmed and not get anything done at all.