Do you ever come to the end of the day and think “what did I really accomplish today? Am I using my time wisely? Am I putting the most into every single day? Am I staying focused on what matters most?”
There are days (more than I want to admit) that I sort of float through my day going from one task to the next based on what is right in front of me. For example, I will receive an email that needs attention so I stop the project I’m currently working on to answer the email. Then the mailman comes and I have to stop and go get the mail. On the way to the mailbox I notice the plants at the front door need to be watered so I turn around and go get water to water them. On the way to get water I notice I never moved the clothes in the washing machine into the dryer…… (you see where this is going)
When I do not focus on the most important tasks first I get distracted and that is how I can feel as if nothing was accomplished by the end of the day.
I think we all struggle with the hours in our day and how we use them. Some of us are diligent and get many things accomplished each an every day, and some of us do not.
Here are 7 steps to help you STAY FOCUSED (and stop wasting time):
1. Make a priority list. Make a list of all that you need to do in the next week and then prioritize that list. Only listing 1-3 things that must be accomplished each day.
2. Plan out your day. This can be done first thing in the morning, the night before, or at the beginning of the week. Without a plan you are more likely to aimlessly move through your day (as I described above). Take your priority list and then add in any appointments, phone calls, errands or any other commitments you have for the day so you can see how much time you will be able to devote to your priority list.
3. Eat your frog. Have you ever heard this saying? This is a famous Mark Twain quote. He said that if the first thing you have to do in the morning is eat a live frog, then eat the frog before doing anything else. That way you can go through the rest of the day knowing the worst is behind you. Your frog is your worst task, and you should do it first thing in the morning. This is a great philosophy and my husband and I regularly say to each other that we need to “eat our frog”.
4. Plan enough time to accomplish each task. How many times have you made a huge list of to-do’s and ended up frustrated at the end of the day because you did not finish your list, or even get through half of it? Make sure to be realistic with the amount of time a task will take. If you need to run an errand, figure in the time it will take to drive to the store, get what you need and drive back. If you have no idea how long something takes, then time yourself the next time you do it. From start to finish. Then you will have a much better idea of how much time to allow for that task. This is an important step that will help you become more realistic with your list and alleviate the frustration of feeling as if you can never complete your list
5. Allow for interruptions. Put some fluff in your schedule to allow for all those distractions and interruptions that are bound to happen. Not too much fluff, but enough so that your plan will flow even when you have some unexpected distractions. For instance I know that with our kids home in the summer, there will definitely be more interruptions than when they are in school so I have to plan accordingly.
6. Stay focused. Once you have completed one task move onto the next one and do not get sidetracked. Keep a list close by either written down or on your computer so that you can be reminded of your plan for the day. I also turn off the email reminders that show up at the bottom of your screen letting you know an email has come in. These are distracting so turn them off. That way you can focus on the task at hand until it is completed.
7. Rest. Our lives are so busy and we can easily become overwhelmed. Be sure to block out some time each day (if possible) to relax and unwind. Maybe take a bath, read a book, drink some tea or spend quality time with your family or friends. It doesn’t have to be much time – even 15 minutes doing something you love can truly refresh you and create some peace in your day. Also, carving out one day a week to relax and refresh your mind will not only create peace in your life, but will make you more productive and more present the rest of the week.