Reignite Life

You are not alone. Many of us feel overwhelmed and drained of energy when productivity grinds to a halt. But, don’t worry – there are many fixes. Here are five easy steps to help boost your productivity and cross that task off:

1. Set small goals – Setting small goals helps create momentum, build confidence, and break down big tasks into more manageable pieces. Break up long-term projects into shorter-term ones and track your progress along the way with small wins.
   
   As an example, here’s my goal plan for “running a 10k at a 7’30” pace by the end of 2023″:
   I’ve decided to work on my pace first – when I started this goal in 2022, I was running about 9’30”. Step one was researching how to shave 2 minutes off my pace. I created a plan that broke that goal down into quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals. It’s March 15th, and my mile pace is now 7’50”. Step two is one I’m building into step 1 but will focus on the back half of the year. Once I get to 7’30” (around July), I will start adding miles. The difference between 1 mile and a 10k is just 5.2 miles. Assuming I have six months, I can add one mile per month (or 0.25 miles each week) and I will achieve my goal by the end of 2023!
   
2. Establish a routine – Establishing a routine is key for staying productive as it allows you to plan out each day in advance and get into a healthy groove. Though this may seem daunting at first, start slowly with just one thing that you commit to doing every day (like taking breaks at specific times).
   
   This shows up in my life as a consistent alarm, regardless of the day, and also a commitment to running 2-3 times per week. I don’t set the days to allow for life’s inevitabilities. I also work remotely, but always take lunch at the same time each day. Knowing I have built in times to wake up, work out, and eat lunch then allow me to start planning my days around that. That becomes a self-sustaining process and before I knew it, I was scheduling lunch dates, dinner dates, and vacations in the calendar. It becomes hard to forget or accidentally over-schedule if you commit to a routine. Put it on autopilot!
   
3. Avoid distractions – Distractions can be anything from checking social media or emails too often to engaging in prolonged conversations with coworkers throughout the day. Take time to focus on what needs to be done without any outside interruptions and set aside certain times for dealing with any unforeseen tasks or activities throughout the day.
   
   This shows up in my life as being productive in the morning. I know that my afternoons are tough to be motivated in, so I know I have to get up early to win the day. I know to focus in the mornings, and then I can respond to tasks in the afternoon without feeling behind. No phones, no email, no social media when I’m focusing. I use those as treats for when I have the day’s work done. See the next tip for more 🙂
   
4. Manage stress – Stress management is important for keeping energy levels up throughout the workday as it can lead to burnout if left uncontrolled. Taking short breaks when needed or allowing yourself some “me time” after work are great ways to unwind and clear your head so that you can come back refreshed the next day ready to tackle any new challenges.
   
   Think of this in the dieting framework. If you quit sugar cold turkey, chances are you won’t last very long. The stress of constantly denying yourself your addiction makes you eventual indulgence that much worse, which raises stress levels, makes you feel sad/ashamed for “giving in”, and dampens your confidence that you can break your sugar habit. But if you allow yourself say, natural sugars, whenever you want, you still get a boost, but it is healthier for your body and your soul. Then if you make it to the end of the day, give yourself a Dove chocolate or two. The key is moderation. Take the stress out of an arbitrary framework. #TreatYourself #EatTheChocolate #ReleaseTheStress
   
5. Prioritize tasks – Prioritizing your tasks is important for making sure you stay on track and organized throughout the week so that nothing falls through the cracks or gets missed out on completely due to lack of time or attention. Make a list of what needs to be done each day and cross off items as they’re completed in order of priority.
   
   This relates back to building a routine. If you make a habit of checking your calendar every morning for the day/week, you can then accurately prioritize what needs to be done. You could rank them like this:
   
   Priority #1 is for earning money, so what do I need to do for my job?
   Priority #2 is for relationships, so what do I need to do for my partner?
   Priority #3 is for me, so what do I need to do to build my self-image?
   Priority #4 is for the future, so what do I need to prep for tomorrow?
   

By following these five steps, you’ll be able to kickstart your productivity journey and start seeing results quickly! It may require some trial & error at first but eventually, you’ll find what works best for you — whether it’s setting up alarms & reminders or taking regular breaks during the day — so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what fits best into your lifestyle!

If you have questions or would like to learn more, reach out! I offer plenty of coaching opportunities to get you on track.