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One of the top complaints by adults in the hectic 21st century is that they can't get enough done. There don't seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that is required. This leads to frustration and stress, emotional states which can cause a flood-like release of hormones that cause physical and mental health problems.
Use the following 5 tips to get more accomplished every day, so that you enjoy less stress and anxiety, a well-deserved sense of accomplishment, and better overall health.
1 – Write It Down
You don't have to spend a lot of money on an expensive day planner. Some people could effectively manage the world with simple sticky notes and scratch pieces of paper. You have a much greater chance of accomplishing something when you write it down, rather than just locking it away on your mental to-do list.
2 – Don't Think of Your Daily Responsibilities as Tasks or Chores
The words "task" and "chore" don't taste good in the mouth. They make you think you have to do something, rather than wanting to do it. Tell yourself that your daily responsibilities are something you enjoy doing, and you will look forward to scratching them off your to-do list and moving onto the next one.
3 – Get Plenty of Rest
You can't accomplish much of anything when you are tired, worn down, and suffering from mental and physical fatigue. You may be one of those people who thinks you only need 4 to 6 hours of sleep every night to function properly. Try that 2 or 3 nights in a row and see how productive you are. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep on a daily basis for good health and high energy levels.
4 – Stop "Winging It"
You may be very good at putting out fires, thinking off of the top of your head and working productively on the fly. This doesn't mean this is the optimal way to get things done. The human brain craves order, discipline, routine and standard operating procedures. Create routines in your life, stick to those routines, and employ them at the same time each day to get more accomplished.
5 – Don't Check Your Email First Thing in the Morning
Fortune 500 CEOs are some of the busiest people on the planet. Studies and interviews with these uber-productive individuals show most of them get up and get working first thing in the morning, and don't check their email until after lunch. You don't have to own a Fortune 500 company to benefit from this productivity hack.