There are days when you can’t get out of bed simply because you feel lethargic and don’t want to work. Here are some ideas to get out of the rut.
There are some days when you can’t get out of bed simply because you feel lethargic and don’t want to work. When you manage to get dressed at the head to work, you realise you are having an unproductive day. Even the most motivated people can have such a day sometimes. So how does one deal with it?
Improving your time management is the best way to enjoy a productive day even when your spirit is not as high as it should be. Don’t aim to finish a ton of work, but aim to complete a couple of essential tasks that are important and bring you closer to your goals.
On such days remind yourself that it is the quality of work that is important not the quantity, here are some ways to turn a bad day into a productive one identify the three most important tasks of the day.
While this is relevant for any ordinary day at work, it is essential to know you are having an unproductive day. Getting the most important tasks finished first is the best way to get things done productively. It is easy to get distracted and lose focus, and the best way to stay focused is to only focus on the most critical tasks at hand. Choose the crucial asks based on the action they bring towards your goal.
Rank your tasks
Once you have identified the tasks, you intend to complete, making them the main focus of your day. Please write down the assignments and tick them off when you finish them. Number them in order of urgency and importance; Number 1 should be the most important and three the least important among the three.
Pick three critical tasks.
Once you have identified the first set of three most important tasks, move on to identifying the next of the three most important tasks of the day in the same manner. Try to work in sets of three and think of your tasks as sets. Like the reps at the gym, soon you will plan all your tasks in a similar way.
Schedule your tasks
Scheduling your three most important tasks ahead of time is a great way to ensure you get it done on time. You have already planned it there is nothing else to do but get it done right?
Tackle the most critical task first
Getting the most important task finished first is the best way to make your day already seem like a productive one. The impact of completing your most important task will help you in your other tasks as you already feel like you have accomplished something for the day.
Set a timer
Choose a block of time you would like to work for; it could be 30 minutes to 45 minutes. When your alarm rings, you should stop working, but not until it does.
Using this approach will help you stay clear of all distractions, and you will be less tempted to check your Facebook page quickly. Try to put your phone a little away when you are working, turn the notifications off on text messages but have your ringer on for phone calls.
Take a break
Taking a quick break before you start another task is the best way to go into it with a fresh mind. But remember that your break shouldn’t run longer than the task itself. You could take a quick walk, clean out your desk or do any other office related chores you may have or if you really must then use this time to check your Facebook.
Use your momentum to get further.
Once you complete an important task, you will feel a lot more positive than earlier, use this momentum to give you a boost to do well on the other tasks.
