- Start the Day with Purpose and Movement
- Begin your morning with activities that help initiate motivation. Physical movement, like going for a walk, combined with something mentally stimulating, such as listening to a podcast, can wake up both your body and brain.
- Having a clear purpose for the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day.
- Begin your morning with activities that help initiate motivation. Physical movement, like going for a walk, combined with something mentally stimulating, such as listening to a podcast, can wake up both your body and brain.
- Plan and Structure Your Day in Advance
- Use a calendar to plan every part of your day. This prevents distractions and ensures you have time set aside for important tasks.
- If something unexpected catches your attention, instead of engaging with it immediately, schedule time to handle it later. This will allow you to stay on task without feeling like you’re missing out.
- Use a calendar to plan every part of your day. This prevents distractions and ensures you have time set aside for important tasks.
- Align Tasks with Your Energy Levels
- Pay attention to your energy throughout the day and plan your tasks accordingly.
- Schedule high-cognitive tasks (those that require more focus and mental effort) when your energy levels are high. Follow these up with low-cognitive tasks to give your brain a break without losing productivity.
- Example: After working on a challenging task, switch to something easier or more physical, like organising or taking a quick walk.
- Pay attention to your energy throughout the day and plan your tasks accordingly.
- Balance Physical and Sedentary Tasks
- Try to alternate between sedentary tasks (such as working on the computer) and physical tasks. This helps prevent burnout and keeps your energy from stagnating.
- For example, after a long stretch of sitting and working, get up and do something that requires movement, even if it’s just a brief walk.
- Try to alternate between sedentary tasks (such as working on the computer) and physical tasks. This helps prevent burnout and keeps your energy from stagnating.
- Use Time Blocks for Focus and Variety
- Set specific time blocks for different types of tasks. High cognitive tasks might last for 45–90 minutes, followed by 10–15 minutes of lower cognitive activities to recharge.
- Alternating between high and low cognitive tasks keeps your brain engaged without overloading it.
- Set specific time blocks for different types of tasks. High cognitive tasks might last for 45–90 minutes, followed by 10–15 minutes of lower cognitive activities to recharge.
- Allow For Free Flow
- Give yourself at least one day a week (or fortnight) to embrace spontaneity and unstructured tasks. This is your time to explore, take spontaneous adventures, or dive into creative projects without the constraints of a schedule.
- Free flow allows for relaxation and refreshes your mental energy, preventing burnout from overly rigid planning.
- Give yourself at least one day a week (or fortnight) to embrace spontaneity and unstructured tasks. This is your time to explore, take spontaneous adventures, or dive into creative projects without the constraints of a schedule.
