Being a business owner, CEO or a Manager will always be combined with the constant feeling of not having enough hours in the day; time is a precious commodity, in which endless amounts of tasks and activities must be completed. However, research has shown that it is actually detrimental to productivity to avoid the allocation of some time to things other than the completion of business-related tasks within one’s schedule; it is imperative that time is invested in other valuable activities throughout the day other than work, despite the majority of time being taken up by work-focused jobs.
What activities can you begin to schedule into your day, in order to maximise your potential for productivity? Here are a few examples.
- Work Out
Research has shown that exercise first thing in the morning, particularly before breakfast, can produce more energy than a few extra minutes of sleep. Thus, even if it is just a quick flash of exercise, it is worth the effort of waking up earlier than usual – you will feel the benefit throughout the day.
- Lay the Foundation for the Day Ahead
While eating a healthy breakfast, spend what time with the family you can, and plan for the day ahead; whether you prefer to write it down, schedule it in a day planner, or simply think your tasks through, it is beneficial to physically think of the tasks you need to complete today in order to increase the likelihood of you then making effort to get them done.
- Complete the Important Tasks
Core production time exists first thing in the morning, so it is good to begin your daily activities with the most important jobs of the day. Sometimes, this may include a task you have not been looking forward to, or that will constitute a hard job, leading to the inclination to put it off until later – don’t make that mistake! Get the hard tasks out of the way as soon as possible, so they cannot hinder your productivity towards all other jobs.
- Eat a Social Lunch
Use your lunch break to cement relationships with people you know or would like to get to know better, whether they be employees or people outside of your business; eating a healthy, balanced lunch is vital, so why not ensure the time spent eating it is used wisely?
- Invest in Yourself
Be sure to regularly put aside time to develop your abilities and intellectuality; learn new skills or embark on new projects, so that while you grow your business, you also grow yourself.
Walk
It has been proven that natural sunlight, fresh air, and exercise are all fantastic methods of boosting alertness and increasing energy levels, particularly after a meal. Therefore, build a walk, short or long, into your schedule in the afternoon in order to maximise productivity when back in the office.
- Prioritise
At the end of working hours, or once home, take some time to prioritise activities for the next day. This will enable you to, not only rest assured that the next day’s activity is organised, but also switch off from your busy day of work and engage in the important relaxation needed at the end of a long working day.
Making the effort to incorporate the above activities into your daily routine will be sure to maximise your productivity when working, running your own business or managing a team.