HOW TO GET MORE OUT OF YOUR DAY
Is it just me or 24 hours is not enough time to strike everything off your daily to-do list? What if I tell you there’s a hack to this? A hack for you to check everything off your list and still have a few hours to binge your favourite TV show (maybe Money Heist or King Of Boys 2). If you’re wondering how to go about this then it’s okay to save this post, or if you’re old school like me, bring a pen out and take the essential tips down.
Here’s how to get more out of your day
- WAKE UP EARLY
Your phone doesn’t have to be the first thing you pick up when you wake up in the morning. Once you turn off your alarm, try a healthy habit that can help you slip into the day easily. How you start your morning determines what the rest of the day will be. Since we are trying to do so much in 24 hours, your best bet is to exercise for some minutes and have light breakfast. Cereals, fruits or a slice of bread and coffee does the trick most times. If you start your day on a heavy meal, you’d probably have to deal with indigestion and bloating for the early hours of the day. So wake up early and try something different.
2. CREATE A TO-DO LIST
Having a map makes it easier for us to get to a destination right? (sometimes google map fails but that’s not the point right now) Set daily goals to help guide you through the day. If you know the list of things you have to do, it enables you to avoid distractions and laziness during the day – set deadlines for yourself and a weekly treat/reward. Think of your nighttime movie bingeing session as a reward for getting everything on your list done.
3. DO SOMETHING EXCITING
Work can be overwhelming no matter how much we try to sugarcoat the idea of being a workaholic. Make your lunch break exciting. You can also take 5 minutes off your busy schedule to practice mindful meditations. Call a friend or learn something new on Youtube. Your break time doesn’t need to have your nose stuck on the plate with a frown or worry on your face.
4. DISCONNECT FROM THE INTERNET (or just social media)
It sounds almost impossible because sometimes our lives revolve around the internet. We need to check Twitter for BBnaija highlights or know what Messi and his football manager are saying about an issue. You can use the internet to make work easier but always avoid the urge to scroll through Instagram aimlessly. The average human takes 25 minutes between a task to go through social media. Any idea what you can get done in 25 whole minutes? With my type of job, I know I can have an entire article written in 25 minutes.
5. STOP MULTITASKING
Is this a good time to use the “Jack of all trades and master of none” line? I’ve been looking for where to squeeze it in and this makes a near perfect fit. Multitasking might look easy but if we are being honest, it increases our stress hormones and leaves us with many mistakes. It also makes you less productive while taking up more time than required. Schedule a time for all the work you have to do, be orderly about them and give in your best while at it.
6. CHALLENGE YOURSELF
The tips to making the most out of your day are almost endless (I think this post should have a second part, what do you think?). Start by challenging yourself. You can try these tips for the first week and work your way up to a lifetime. Study your life and know what works for you.
Remember, you can only see results when you put out work. Want to make the most out of your 24 hours? Start early and start right!
