We should never underestimate the power of a productive morning. It can set you up for success like anything else, and how you start your day tends to set the tone for the rest of the day.

One of the best things you can do for your productivity is to plan your day effectively.

 

Start at the end of your workday and plan ahead.

You’ll be more focused and less stressed if you start to plan your next day at the end of the workday. 

• Before finishing your work day, make a plan for the next day.
• Look at what was unfinished and plan the next day or when you think it is appropriate if not important.
• Block time for the most important tasks in your calendar. Add the rest after considering how much energy you’ll have after finishing what’s most important.

Bonus tip

Making a plan for the next day doesn’t need to be a minute-by-minute journey, but it should map out the major tasks or things you want to accomplish the next day — and how you want to spend the first few hours of the day.

 

Before bed.

What you do right before bed influences the quality of your sleep. You’ll be focused and productive the next day if you sleep well. At the end of the day, you’ll have to move from an active state into a passive and relaxed state. The things listed below will help you let your body and mind know that it’s for you to relax (knowing that you took care of how you’ll approach work the next day).

• Your last meal (and alcohol) should be at least 3 hours apart from sleeping.
• Stop watching TV (avoid blue screens) for 1-2 hours before bed.
• Add psychical activity if not done during the day.
• Meditate or read before falling asleep (works wonders).
• Spend quality time (and connect) with your loved one.
• Go to sleep at the same hour every evening.

Bonus tip

To feel you have already achieved some things in the morning, you can prepare your gym bag, lay out the clothes you’ll wear, and ensure you have ingredients ready to make a healthy breakfast. You can even prepare your lunch. Or anything else you can anticipate will make your morning light and easy.

 

Right after you wake up.

The way you feel in the morning affects your entire day. If you woke up and know you have already taken care of some things is going to give you a feeling that you’ve already achieved something. Those little wins will wire your brain into wanting to achieve even more during the day. Your brain will work just as the gym works. The more results you see, the more you want to do better.

• Drink water first thing.
• Don’t check social media, slack channels, or email right after you wake up for at least 1 hour.
• Get grounded: meditate, do yoga, or do any other physical activity that helps you get in a good mood.
• Set your intentions for the day: journal or meditate, visualizing how you would like your day to unfold. See yourself finishing what’s most important to you and how it make you feel.
• Eat a healthy breakfast.
• Start your day with the most important things to do.

Bonus tip

Most people start their day with what’s most important. This is how you ensure that you’re producing the most results when feeling at your best – calm, focused, and energized.

 

Conclusion

Approach your days with consistency and flexibility over perfection. When you habitually approach your days with a structure, you’ll have productive days that will turn into productive weeks, months, and years. The more productive you’ll be, the more you’ll feel like there are no limits. You got this!