Mornings are important for productivity. Here are 5 things that can mess with your flow.
Productivity is a fickle thing, coming and going depending on our moods, habits and how successful we’ve been in keeping up with our routines. With the pandemic, the majority of us have been experiencing a serious ebb and flow in our levels of productivity, with some days being much better than others.
Perhaps the most important time of day to boost productivity and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon is morning. A glitch first thing in the morning in can quickly derail us, making us grumpy and, perhaps worst of all, not giving us a chance to have a leisurely cup of coffee. In terms of productivity, it can throw a wrench in our plans.
Here are 5 things that can ruin your morning productivity:
Forcing yourself to wake up early
While waking up early is generally associated with increased productivity, there has to be a balance. There’s no need to wake up at the crack of dawn if that’s not who you are, especially if you have trouble sleeping or weren’t able to get your seven to eight hours of sleep. In order to wake yourself up earlier than usual, you have to start off with your bedtime routine, trying your best to go to bed a bit earlier while avoiding distractions and anything that might stand in the way of a restful night of sleep.
Checking your phone first thing in the morning
RELATED: 4 Everyday Cardio Workouts That Don’t Feel Like Cardio
It’s natural to check your phone first thing in the morning; we all do it. But we should make an effort to avoid this, giving ourselves a few minutes of alone time, whether that’s meditating, brushing our teeth and face, taking a shower, having our coffee or reading something we enjoy. This small change in your routine can make a big difference in your day to day routines and the start of your day.
Multitasking
It’s easy to start the day doing a little bit of everything, but multitasking is a time consuming activity where you don’t pay much attention to all you’re doing. Focusing on one activity for a period of time will help you get it done faster while also helping your brain absorb more information more efficiently.
Starting off nervous
RELATED: The Psychological Benefits Of Texting Vs Talking To People You Live With
Big days tend to be anxiety inducing, supported by sleepless nights and an inability to think about other things aside from what it is you’re supposed to do. This impulse is terrible for productivity, rendering you useless for most activities through your day. Even when nervous or when coping with a bunch of different things, try to find one moment of calm, whether that’s when you read some pages of a book for a half hour or you’re taking a few minutes of peace while you have your coffee.
Waking up right before an important task
While it’s important to prioritize sleep, if you have an important task to do in the morning, the least advisable thing is to wake up right before you do it. It depends on the person, but the majority of people find success when they feel prepared. Wake up ahead of time and get ready in any way that works for you, whether that’s by taking a thoughtful shower, putting on make up or working out early in order to clear your head.
