Fall is arriving and that means a whole new set of seasonal tasks and things to deal with and worry about and stay on top of.  So today I'm helping you make a checklist of your own of things you can do NOW to prepare for Fall!

 

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Why You Should Schedule a Catch Up Day

I'm gonna preface this post with the fact that I don't know if that's what I'm about to describe is even called, but that's what I call it.  A Catch Up day is a day that I take to get A LOT done...not necessarily the enormous projects that would end up taking the entire day, but more so the tiny tasks that we put off until they stack up and overwhelm us.  So here's why you should schedule a catch up day for yourself!

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How to Be More Productive at Work

A lot of people get into a rut when it comes to school or work and often complain that they just can't focus on the task at hand.   So I put together a few things you can do to get more done in the time that you are SUPPOSED to be doing it.  If you are smart about it, you should never have to worry about taking work home with you. 

1 | Eliminate Distractions
Put your cell phone on silent and put it face down.  Vow to stay off any distracting time-sucker websites like social media and personal email.  Put headphones (even if you aren't listening to anything) to help tune out those around you.  Keep your desk clean and clear so there's nothing around to distract your focus. 

2 | Take Regular Scheduled Breaks
Even if you feel like it's not productive, it actually is.  Your brain can concentrate better when you give yourself small breaks throughout the day. Every hour that you are planted at your desk, take 10 minutes to run to the rest room, take a stroll outside, and stretch.   It's easier to focus when you get back. 

3 | Have a Healthy Snack
Don't deprive yourself of food just because you are "too busy for lunch".  A handful of almonds and a cup of yogurt are great brain-foods! 

4 | Keep Chatty People at Bay
Explain to those around you that you have a lot to get done so if they notice you aren't very chatty that's why.  Consider putting up a do not disturb sign or using the headphone idea in number 1. 

5 | Get Enough Sleep
Contrary to popular belief, an all nighter doesn't really help productivity.  Get a good night sleep the night before so you can give your all the next day with your school or work tasks. 

6 | Stretch
Like I said above, stretching really helps rejuvenate you both physically and mentally.  If you are starting to feel frustrated or overwhelmed, stand up, stretch, and let your muscles breathe! 

Which of these tips do you need to work on? 

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How To Stop Making Excuses + Get Stuff Done

I am a pretty productive person, if you haven't noticed already by my addiction to my daily routine and my obession with to do lists.  But everyone reaches a point whether it's daily, weekly, or monthly where they are in a slump and can't get things done that need to get done. I've blogged before about how to be more productive but what if you just can't get to that point?

Whether it's cleaning out a closet, doing a budget, or obnoxious tasks like cleaning the mesh filter on your hair dryer, here is how you can be more productive and kick you to do list's ass!

//Be Honest//
So you don't want to meet up with your aunt for dinner, but you know it's necessary because it's the right thing to do.  There are 2 ways you can be honest - to her or to yourself.

To yourself, you can ask why you dread it so much? Is it just because you don't want to take the time and spend an entire evening of your week doing dinner with her while you could be relaxing? Too bad.  Realize that you're being petty and commit to following through.

To be honest to your aunt, if you really don't want to go just because you have so many work deadlines this month, ask if it can be rescheduled, or if it can be a quick morning coffee date over a weekend. 

Sometimes when you realize WHY you keep putting something off, you can accept it and stop procrastinating.

//Set A Deadline//

If you have a to-do list this shouldn't be too hard because you can just add certain things you make excuses for onto specific days in your planner.

But if you aren't that organized on paper, just give yourself a mental deadline.  You NEED to redo your budget by the end of the week.  

When you stop telling yourself "I'll do it later" and say "I'll do it by Friday", you make yourself more accountible and more likely to follow through.

//Look At The Situation From A Different Angle//

Does your boyfriend say that you are stubborn and never want to do things with HIS family?   Instead of making the excuse that he's in the wrong, look at the situation from his eyes.

Really, is it killing you to sacrifice and do something for someone else in your life?  It's important to be realistic and make sure that you aren't being stuck in your own ways. 

Too often people think change is bad and that they shouldn't have to change.  If what you are being asked to change is going to bring good to a situation, then why the hell not?

Have you used any of these tips before? How did they work for you?

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5 Ways to Be More Productive

I've been asked several times now how I am able to do it all.  I work full time Monday-Friday, I run a blog that is very successful, I have 4 dogs, a boyfriend, and I regularly exercise.  There's way more than that but it's true that I could easily become overwhelmed and I definitely used to.  Now, everything is in a fantastic balance of time and energy so I wanted to give you guys 5 tips that I use to be productive every day of my life. 

1. Write EVERYTHING Down.
I have a Filofax personal organizer that I have a weekly calendar in and I use it for EVERYTHING.  Each day I have a little to do list with check boxes so I can cross each item off as I do it.   The trick is to write EVERY task down.  You're more likely to remember to do it and not procrastinate, if the task is written down.

I write down everything from brushing my dog's teeth everyday to making my sandwich for the next day. 


2. Keep a Routine.
A routine is key especially because it helps you not make excuses.  You may not feel like working out but every Thursday is your 5 mile run, so the more you do it on a regular routine basis the easier it becomes to keep up with.

I have a daily routine as well as a weekly and monthly routine.  My daily routine basically goes like this:
5:45 Wake up, check email, feed dogs, eat breakfast
7-7:30 Check other blogs and do some surveys before work starts.
7:30-4 Work
4-5 Exercise
5-6 Daily tasks (sandwich, taking photos, taking care of dogs)
6 is Dinner
7-9 Surveys, Shower, Cleaning


Remember it takes 21 days to form a habit so keep at your routine and it'll become so natural eventually.

3. Keep the TV off.
I used to come home and turn on the TV and I would immediately get sucked in and felt like doing nothing else.   Now, I keep the TV off in the morning and I don't even turn it on in the evening until all of my daily tasks are done.  it's kind of like my reward for being productive.

4. Set a Time Limit to Shut Your Computer Down.
By 9pm every night I try to have my computer emails checked and everything caught up for the next day so I can shut down my computer and just relax.  Once you get into the habit of turning it off around the same time, it'll be easy and you'll look forward to disconnecting.


5. Keep it Simple.
I own less stuff, I buy less stuff, and I consume less stuff electronically via the internet.  Living a more simple life without clutter and annoying unneccesary phone notifications helps me stay focused on the task at hand!