Good morning, people around the world!
Today is Monday and I know you all need to put up your shit together and start up the week really productive. As many of us feel, we start the week really high and as days pass, we slow down a bit, until we end the week tired and full. Sometimes we don't even finish everything we had in our mind. Take a look at the silly graph bellow:
As I'm working 3 days per week at Uber (10 hours per day), I'm also organizing a conference with 100 students and 50 professionals from some of the biggest companies in Europe. Besides, I'm helping with an alumni Gala happening this month.
Tackling all of those requires some tips and trick about productivity, focuses and how to be 100% in. I try to have fun also, so here are some basic truths that you all know, nothing new (also in a few words, 'cause you don't have time to spare). Do you use them?
No. 1: Sleep more or sleep less, the night before!
If you are like me, you have two options for being the most productive: Sleep 8 hours or sleep 4 hours. If you sleep 8, you are rested and you can start the day really nice, no drama in the mornin. If you sleep 4 hours, you are hyperactive and ready to do anthing, really pumped up. Sleeping 6 hours, usually make me feel tired and lazy, so for the best effects > 8 or 4!
No. 2: Start by doing what you usually do on a productive morning!
As you get out of bed, go to the bathroom, take a shower, wash your teeth, you should also do something that is a routine. I usually make a coffee and after that smoke a cigarette while I sip from the cup, standing beside my window, looking outside. This helps me chill, put my thoughts in order and prepare for the full day.
No. 3: Make a list!
After your morning ritual that transmits to your body that the week has started, you should be organized. Make a list with every single task (and subtask) that you have FOR THE DAY (not for the week). I use Asana and Any.do. These are some simple task management tools, helping you with organizing, notifications and reminders.
No. 3b: Divide in categories!
As you made a list of your tasks (in an app like Asana or on a piece of paper) you should make some tags and categories. This has to be simple (3 categories, 3 tags), well colored and easy to follow. Looking in that app or at that piece of paper should make sense in a few second. Think about this: Would someone else understand this?
No. 4: Start with something easy!
I know a lot of people, including myself, having a pleasure for organizing stuff. "Ideas are wasy, but execution is everything". So after your morning ritual, task assignment and tagging, you should start asap. Keep it simple. Send that email, contact that person, do some tasks that require a minimum of effort, just to feel like you advancing easy. This keeps you going.
No. 5: Take breaks!
It's great to work your ass out (#workaholic), but keep in mind that breaks are needed. Every 1 hour, you should take a break (5 min, 10 min, 15, min). It depends on everyone of you how you function and for how long you can concentrate. Don't be lazy and take a lifetime to complete some tasks. Be efficient and get your well deserved break. Chill and do something else on that break.
No. 6: Keep your focus!
In the end, be sure to keep your focus for the day. Think about 1, 2, or 3 things that are the most important for the day. Make these your milestones and have in mind that even do you have 30 tasks, these are the ones that make you feel the achievement at the end of the day.
In conclusion, divide et impera, don't be lazy and think about you long term targets. Motivation is bullshit if you don't work your ass of and make it count. Just DO!