So many people set out to make today the day they will achieve their goals, yet something happens and postpones the actions it takes to do so. (For some tips on how, click here.)
But what was it that pushed that 'to do list' to the side, and why does winning today's prize so often become tomorrow's challenge?
This thing called 'life' happens, and it when it hits, it hits quickly - and hard. The tasks that people set out to accomplish today suddenly become distant memories, and catching up seems hard to do.
What if there was a way to complete those tasks before life starts hitting back? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you succeed and stay on track by getting a jump start on the day, and sustain excellent productivity during the course.
Get an Early Start
Taking the day by storm requires an early-start. However, this start should begin the night before. With the right amount of preparation, a great mindset, adequate rest and a positive outlook, getting the new day started will be easy to do.
So, How Does It All Happen?
First, make a list of the things that went right today, and carry that success into tomorrow. These wins could go a long way toward boosting your mood. Make sure the list includes the three biggest successes from today. Regardless if these wins are written down in a journal, or talked about with a close friend or loved one, they will need to be detailed. Discussing the wins and focusing in on them, will lead to more wins.
Determine what must be done the next day, and be sure to put those things at the top of the to-do-list. Of course, winning the day is going to be hard to do if there aren't any goals, so determine what tasks are most important, and list them in order. Next, determine how much time should be spent on each task. Progression means wasting no time, and doing what needs to be done, consistently.
Getting ready is a decision process, and if it's not pre-determined the night before, it will often set you back the next day. Therefore, it's important to choose what you'll wear tomorrow, in advance. Having your clothes ready will help your day get started quickly so you'll have more energy, and better clarity right off the bat.
The next step is to turn out the lights and get some sleep. This includes turning off the television, radio, smartphones, and any other distraction that prevents at least six hours of sleep. The less you get, the harder it will be to remain productive the next day and of course, if you aren't able to get that block of sleep the night before, don't hesitate to take a mid-day nap later in the day for an hour or so to revitalize yourself, so you can sustain peak mental and physical performance.
The Morning Is Where It All Begins
Getting the most out of your morning hours should be your top priority. This is when you're at your peak, especially in the predawn hours, that is, if you've developed the discipline to get up between 4 and 5am. Start the day out by praying, doing yoga, exercising, or just spending a little time alone. Reading is also an option, as well as writing a blog or journal entry. Feeding the heart and mind will help get your creative juices flowing and greatly contribute toward you experiencing an extraordinarily productive and fulfilling day.
Don't skip the exercise element; it will help clear your mind and fuel your body. Speaking of fuel, your body also needs to eat, which is why a healthy breakfast should be eaten before walking out the door. This keeps the body fit, the mind clear and you ready to WIN!
Focus Is the Key
Without focus, goals obviously cannot be reached. You should take any remaining important tasks from the night before, and make sure they're done first the next day. If something else comes up, put it on the calendar for tomorrow. Derailing from your primary three tasks will interrupt your day, and the obstacle of doing everything will become overwhelming. Work on tasks in focused batches, instead of multi-tasking. Learn when to say no - saying no should be easy, and determine when it's best to say yes, which you always carefully consider first.
Phones can keep you in the loop, but those devices can also throw a wrench in your day. Therefore, it's best to only answer the phone if it's an emergency. Determine what calls need to be answered in order to achieve your goals efficiently, and what calls can wait until the work day is over. You should always turn off all notifications, as even the slightest interruption could prevent you from achieving your goals that day. Answer these calls during your leisure time, but never go over the amount of time you've allocated in advance. Stay on schedule!
In a perfect world, these tips would be guaranteed, but the world isn't predictable by any means, so these tips could work one day, but not the next. However, even though life is unpredictable and can trip you up at times, just stay focused and do everything you can to start the next day with your best foot forward. The key is to plan early the night before, make the most of the morning and get all the necessary fuel and energy to stay focused throughout the day. This will make those wins and goals so much easier to achieve, day after day!