5 Small Changes You Can Make to Be Way More Productive

One of the most effective skills you can have in life is powerful and effective time management. If you’re are not managing your time well, it makes it harder to reach your goals at work, be present for your family and an overall happier person! Today I am sharing a few tips that help me be way more productive on the daily!

1. Rework your to-do list.

I’ve found for increasing my productivity is to limit how many items I add to my to-do list -remember being busy is not being productive!

I like to choose one to three most important tasks (MITs). These are the big, tough tasks for your day that you really need to get done; the ones that will keep you in the office past the time you planned to leave, or working after dinner if you don’t get through them.

Do your MITs first thing in the morning, either at home or when you first get to work. If you put them off to later, you will get busy and run out of time to do them. Get them out of the way, and the rest feels like a breeze!

The rest of your to-do list can be filled up with smallers tasks that you would do as long as you complete your major ones first.  Trust me you will feel a whole lot more productive at the end of the day.

Another to-do list tip that can reduce work anxiety is to write your to-do list the night before. I often end up in bed not only thinking about what I need to do the next day but also planning the day; obviously, that makes it difficult to sleep. Writing my to-do list before I go to bed helps me relax and sleep better.

Also – only focus the today’s list and don’t think about the tasks’ ahead otherwise sometimes, like myself, will start to feel overwhelmed and freeze up.

2 // Use a time cube and section your time spent on tasks

This helps me with time management and tackle tasks within an allotted time frame! This was a game changer!

A no brainer right? But no so easy. I get distracted or try to multi-take and in the end it takes more time than it should be taking me.

If you start keeping a list of everything you get done in a day, you might be surprised how much more motivated you are to do work that matters and stay focused so you get even more done.

3 // Shopping for family

Shop for the family all in  one place – instead of going to 3 differernt storeis or sites to shop for the families spring/summer shoes – I just go to shoes.com and they have such a huge selection of brands for the entire family! We get free shipping and it’s so easy!

I recently got the whole family new kicks for spring. Sutton wanted glitter shoes, so I found this darling pair of gold high top convserse chucks that can you slip on and off and wear with practically anything.

I went for my tried and true Birkenstocks in this really pretty (I call it)- rose gold color. I may have got them in the silver color too- I wear these literally all spring/summer long.

I got Grey his converse sneakers– he needed a comfy pair if sneakers that can we wear for more formal occasions, like easter and weddings, but can also wear with casual looks.

And for Michael I found this really cute pair of Cole Haan Sneakers for spring. He loves the brand and they dress up really well with his looks so these were a no brainer!

3 // Start Early

This was a game changer in my book. Makes sense right? Wake up earlier and have more time to get stuff done. I do go to bed earlier but I am WAY more productive in the AM than PM so I get way more done. I like to get up pretty early – get my work out done and then have time to start my to-do list before the kids are even awake! Check off like 5 things before 8AM and I’m feeling good!

4 // Plan something fun after you have completed your to-do list

It’s great to have something to work hard for -even if it’s a small reward at the end of the day. My fun after I have completed my work and to-do list is quality times with the kids! That is my joy that is my everything! I live for quality time and making special memories with the kids on the daily and I want to be totally focused on them – distraction free so I make sure to have my to-do done!

Now don’t get me wrong- I also live for a good happy hour with my gals or Michael after a long week too! It can be whatever – just plan a little something to look forward to at the end of each day’s tasks.

5 //  Find inspiration when you’re feeling lackluster.

Turn to YouTube, podcasts TED Talks and any other inspirational source you can turn to when you’re lacking inspiration. It’s hard to stay on track with your time when you lose that drive inside of you. Find ways you can turn the fire back on by focusing inspiring content and seeking out others who’ve achieved big goals!

What helps you be more productive throughout the day?

Becky xx

My look: Birkenstock (coppe metallic) // Jeans // Tee

Sutton’s look: Gold High Top Chucks //

A big thanks to Shoes.com for sponsoring this post!