Your Day
Here’s something interesting I’ve noticed about time. It seems the less I have of it, the more productive I am. Getting lots done feels really good, but even one hectic day can leave me feeling really spent. And that exhaustion tends to spill over into the next day and the next, until I get a chance to refuel. I used to live by this model – go, go, go, crash.
Over time, I’ve learned you don’t need to be overwhelmed or strapped for time to kick into high productivity gear. Consistently chipping away at to-do’s is actually more fulfilling and makes me equally (if not more) productive. Your day, like everything else, has a rhythm. Finding your ‘pace’ is vital to being able to stay productive long-term.
This week let’s look into what you can do to make the most of your busy time and your down time. Lists come in all shapes and forms. I want to encourage you to take a minute each evening to set yourself up for the next day. I like to make it a part of my winddown routine. Making this first list of ‘must do’ items lets my brain let go of any worry that I might waste precious morning time figuring out where to start. The second list helps me make the most of my downtime.
1. Big 3 List
2. Personal List
3. Snacks that fuel
BIG 3 LIST: These 3 items are your must-do’s. The idea is that if only these three tasks were accomplished today, the day would be a success. They do not include the little daily tasks. These are three items that will move you forward towards your goals. I know there’s a tendency to want to add more, and you can, but remember that the beauty in this list is its brevity. There’s no time wasted on thinking what to do. You pick one and work your way down. Keep a (short) secondary list if you like, but do NOT be tempted to move on to those tasks until the first three are accomplished.
Remember to stay flexible here. There are days where things come up and you might need to reevaluate your list, but overall, it’s a great place to start each day. When you get those Big 3 done, allow yourself to feel that sense of accomplishment. If you have a secondary list, you can move on without worry – they’re icing on the productivity cake! If they are vital, they will make their way into your Big 3 the following day or at some point.
The Big 3 allows you to practice kindness to yourself and find a pace.
PERSONAL LIST: While personal tasks can make my Big 3 for time-sensitive matters, I like to create my own running list of things I want, or need, to do for myself. Creating this separate list gifts me two things. The first, I can be free of any guilt on time spent on my personal needs (I got my Big 3 done). This list is like a form of self-care. The second gift is intentionality with my free time. I get more out of my free time because I know what I want to do with it. I find when I’m not intentional with my free-time, it gets spent on activities that don’t always replenish me.
I’m not suggesting that you have a list to fill every minute of your day. It’s just the idea that if you’re not actively choosing what to do with your time, someone else might choose for you. Flexibility and spontaneity are still important parts of life. These lists actually help my mind relax and allow me to live in the moment knowing that nothing is slipping through the cracks.
