If you have never procrastinated
before, you are not human. It is merely a natural human reaction to being bombarded with tasks.Calendar Blocking
Please note that if you are a parent, this may not be the most convenient option for you. Children are unpredictable, and calendar blocking works by the hour.
Calendar blocking is when you use a software like Google Calendars to literally block your day. It looks like this:
As you can see, you add blocks and choose the color, the time, how long you expect that activity to last, and you can move blocks around, something you cannot do with agendas.
Since you can also download the Google Calendar app, you will be sent reminders a few minutes before each task, so you will not forget what you have to do. Face it; you need some pressure!
P.S. Google Calendar is free. There are no affiliate links here, pal.
Have an Agenda
I had to switch from calendar blocking to an agenda because instead of doing my to-do list by the hour, I can do it by the number of things I have to get done.
Once you become a parent, there is NO WAY of logging your life by the hour, but by the day.
Due to that, I keep an agenda where I write what I have to get done for that day. The one that I use is called Deluxe Law of Attraction Planner, and I use it because I believe in manifestation and attracting the life you want.
Although that planner is designed for you to write your tasks on an hourly basis, what I like to do is organize my tasks in order of priority.
Plus, it comes with fun stickers AND daily mantras to keep your mental health in check. Manifesting has never been easier. It’s like an all-in-one planner.
However, if you’d like a FREE planner, be sure to let me know in the comments and I will post the one that I created.
Knowing What to Prioritize
Sometimes you actually want to get things done, but you do not know where to start or which task to complete first.
No worries! I created a productivity formula that will get you up and running, it is called the #GID Formula (GID stands for Get It Done) and it consists of:
Important Task= Time + Energy – Irrelevancy
You need to know the amount of time it takes to get that specific task done AND how much energy you have to put in. However, if the task has a high level of irrevancy, you need to take that number out of the equation. Here is a breakdown:
Important Task= Time + Energy – Irrelevancy
Time: (1-Not so time-consuming), (5-Very time consuming).
Energy: (1-Not a large amount of energy), (5-Very large amount of energy).
Irrelevancy: (1-Not irrelevant at all), (5-Meh, pretty irrelevant).
Results: A task with a score of 11 is your most relevant task.
Above all, remember NOT TO MULTITASK. You will only get stuck and lose yourself
Becoming a Morning Person
Do you wake up happy and excited, or exhausted, unmotivated and dying to go back to bed?
Most people think that by becoming a morning person, they are going to miss their beauty sleep and wake up crankier than ever.
But when they think that way, they do not look forward to a productive day and already wake up with a negative mindset. This has to stop!
Here is my FFMDY formula for a fantastic morning:
- If you want to start waking up early, follow the 15-min rule.
- If you are struggling to get out of bed, follow Mel Robbins’ 5 seconds rule.
- Do your morning pages for a morning brain boost & affirmations
- Break up with your phone when you wake up, you’ll avoid stress!
- Take some time for yourself to reflect.
The 15 minute rule consists of going to bed 15 minutes earlier, and waking up 15 minutes earlier.
Gradually increase by 15 minutes until you get to your desired time. (No need to become sleep deprived or oversleep)
Your Night Routine
The 15-minute rule takes us to your night routine.
Of course, your night affects your following morning because if you had a crappy night, you will most likely have a crappy morning.
Due to that, I recommend putting your phone down at least 30 minutes before going to bed. If you can, place it in a different room.
You must be thinking, “what if an emergency happens and I can’t get to my phone and pick up the call, or respond to the text?”
My answer to that is, there is virtually nothing you can do anyways. If it is a medical emergency, I am sure that someone will call 911 right before calling or texting you. There is nothing you can do to prevent crises, and that is the uncomfortable truth.
If you are struggling to go to sleep, drink a warm cup of tea/milk, grab a book, and unwind.
Are there any tips/comments you’d like to share? Feel free to leave them below!