When it comes to getting things done, it can sometimes be overwhelming to the point you just want to give up all together. However, life is all about how you perceive things. Starting something new, whether its working out, starting a business, or simply getting your house cleaned; is always difficult. The first steps are always the hardest, because you are doing so much extra work to actually get everything in order. Once things get rolling, and once you get into routine, things get so much easier. It becomes daily habit to do these things, not "something extra you never have time for."
However, in general, we as people are becoming terribly lazy. Which means, more and more people never have time to do anything productive. So here are a few basic tricks to help you become more productive:
1. NO MORE EXCUSES:
People find so much time for things that are not contributing to their goals, and then say they never have time. Honestly, one thing that got me up and moving was realizing how unproductive my days were. So, for one week I suggest you print out a weekly calendar with time slots. Every day, you start recording exactly what you are doing, even if it is just watching TV. At the end of the week, really look at what you do during the day.
Take a color highlighter and highlight everything you had to do. (work, errands, cooking, etc.) Then take a different color and highlight everything you did that was not contributing to you or your goals (TV, lying around, social media, etc.) You will start to see all these small times you are sitting around will really add up.
No one has excuses. I used to be the girl that slept till the last minute, hopped out of bed to wake up my kids for school, and once they were at school I sat around. Not much else happened other than sulking. I would work when we had gigs (I used to do construction) but even then in my spare time, I simply sat and watched TV or Facebook.
I woke up one day and realized how much my life sucked, and I was the only one to blame. That is when I got prioritized and became productive. Now, I have worked out, posted for my business pages, and dressed before I even tell my kids good morning. Now, we enjoy our weekends because we have extra cash. Now, we play outside because mommy finally has energy because she eats better and workouts. Now, I have a life. All because I decided to become more productive and stay prioritized.
2. GET INSPIRED:
This world is so negative, and there is not many places to turn that are positive. Social media is plastered with negativity and fake lifestyles no one can actually maintain. TV is either drama or news that will depress the hell out of you. So many people even in your own life are negative, and are probably putting you down enough to were you believe you can not do anything.
However, this life is what you make of it. You are not defined by what people say, or what is going on in peoples lives that you don't even know. I am not saying do not care about those around you, but you do not need to bring yourself down if you are trying your best. ( Don't lie to yourself though. If you are not doing what you need to, take the time to realize this so you know what you must change. Lying to oneself is never good for your physical health or mentality.)
One of the first things I did when I wanted to change was I got inspired. I decided to change everything in my life, from business, to diet and fitness, and even my own personal growth. It took months of game planning and research. Before that, I got inspired. I found facebook and Instagram pages full of quotes and people who had did exactly what I was trying to do. I got rid of all negative people in my life. I found podcasts full of information to teach me and help keep me inspired. I even read audiobooks about how to retrain your brain, so that you think more positive.
It was not an easy step for me, as I do have clinical depression. However, since changing the way I think and my life, I no longer even need my depression medicine.
I failed so many times at first when trying to change. Every time I did, I would get upset and just want to give up all together. Then I would think about how my life would be in 10 years... the exact same. That was depressing, which means I had no choice but to get up and try again. So I did, over and over. Each time, I tried a little differently until I found a balance that worked for me. Things I never thought were possible were now simple daily routines to me.
It was all because I stayed inspired. When I failed, I would make an entire picture collage of quotes and I would make it my phone screen savor. Quotes about failing, not giving up, and success woke me up every morning. Id listen to more podcast than music, so even on the go I was mentally hearing something positive. Over time, it became easier to stay on track. To this day, I still make sure to take time to keep myself inspired.
3. PLAN AND ORGANIZE:
This one is the hardest step to do before things actually get easier. I got a planner, notebooks, pens, and pencils just to get organized. I took time to plan months and weeks in advance. I learned to plan for things ahead of time, and not last second, so that I could stay ahead of my days and be less stressed. I had daily reminders of what all I needed to do for everything.
I even have folders, just for everything I am working on. One for workouts, with all my routines in them and records to track how I am doing. One for meals, to mealplan for the month so we eat healthy but yummy, and not the same thing everyday (recipes included). One for each one of my businesses, along with all records I need for them.
It seems like a lot, but when starting new routines it is important to stay organized, so that you are not overwhelmed. Again, this takes some time, and a lot of trial and error to see what works best for you. Just because all this works for me, doesn't mean it will work the same for you. Also, depending on what you are trying to do all depends on how you should be organized.
However, in general a planner is the best place to start. I prefer the ones with months and daily schedules on them. Although I do not plan out my day hour by hour, I do like that I can throw important days on my monthly calendar to see how long until events come up. Also, if I like I can go to the week and make a list of everything I need to get done for the day (even new things you want to try to do, but might forget or let slip your mind if you don't write it down).
4. DAILY REMINDERS:
I am a huge fan of alarms, and yes I meant that "s" because I usually set about 5 or 6 every morning. On top of this, my alarms are set with amazing songs to help me wake up happy and even a picture of a quote that I want to read for that day. It is important that when you are working hard to change and be more productive, that you keep yourself on the right path. Right after i wake up and do my morning wakeup routine, I look at my planner. How come?
No one around you, not even those you love, are going to be there all the time to keep you on track and positive. If you do not remind yourself everyday on what you need to do, and why you are doing it, it becomes more difficult to actually get it done. On top of that, I believe you should always tell yourself positive things because if your spirits are down, you will physically have less energy to do what you must do.
So take some time every morning to remind yourself of some things:
What must be done. Why you are doing it. Positive words to help you get it done.
5. KEEP GOING:
Even when you fall, because you are going to quite a few times. Do not get upset you failed, you are still learning. Realized why you failed, what you must change, and try again. I will talk about my falls a lot, because I failed for about 6 months before I finally starting seeing some progress.
That is 6 months of a lazy person to keep trying at being productive, when all I wanted to do was give up and continuing being lazy. Now, I look back and all I can say is thank god I know I will never be that person again.
I suggest you find others that will support you, depending on what you are trying to do. There are so many groups and ways to connect with others trying to do the same thing as you, and it is always easier to push forward when you don't feel along in doing it. It is easy to give up, when you are not looking at the big picture. Too often we act on actions that feel good now, but will hurt us down the road. When you stay focused on the future, what will become of your actions now, it is easier to keep going.
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