If you work from 9-5 or go to school full-time, it can be difficult to find the motivation to do anything other than relax when you get home. But, it doesn't have to be like that forever. Check out my top 5 tips for being productive.
1. Keep a planner.
Even though I'm no longer in school, I still keep a planner. In it, I have my daily to do lists, weekly tasks, and monthly calendars so I don't fall behind on bills, important phone calls, birthdays, blogging, and social media posts.
Also, you can choose what type of planner works best for you because they come in several formats. You can choose a planner with a vertical format, where your days are separated into 3 parts (usually morning, day, and evening). You can go with a horizontal format, in which your days go across the page (which is great for lists). Or, you can choose an hourly format, where your days are broken up by each hour; I'd say this format works best for college students and full-time/part-time workers.
Although I use an Erin Condren Life Planner (which can cost up to $70 or so), there are dozens of planners you can use that won't put a huge dent in your pocket. Or, if you like luxurious planners, there are some of those out there, too:
MAMBI Happy Planner: This planner omes in several sizes (small and very large), has several options for which type of planner you can use (fitness, academic, etc.), and sells stickers and covers for your planner. Base price: $29
Michael's Recollections planner: I use this planner for work. Because the format is vertical, I have a specific use for each box. The top boxes are for my to do lists; the middle boxes are for events scheduled for the day (pay day, going out to lunch, co-workers' birthdays) or if a client's blog post will be uploaded that day. The covers are also interchangeable. Base price: $29
Simplified Life Planner: I'd say this planner is perfect for people who need to write in their daily schedules. One side is for your 6 a.m.-9 p.m. schedule, the other is for your to do list, and the bottom section is split up in half: one side for meals, the other for random notes. Base price: $48
Kate Spade: The format for this planner is horizontal and lined. If you're a college student, this might be the best option for you to track your homework assignments, tests, and paper due dates. The cover is not interchangeable, but the cover it has already protects the spiral binding. Base price: $30
Lilly Pulitzer: If you're looking for a bright, vibrant, and colorful planner, this is the one for you. The format only comes in a horizontal layout, so I'd say if you're a college student, this might be your best bet. Base price: $30
Bloom Daily Planner: This planner is the most student friendly planner I've seen in a while. It has a class schedule tracker, contact log for your classmates (so you can get those notes on the day you missed class), a reading log, grammar/parts of speech reminders, and a yearly review page in the back so you can reflect on your year. This planner also has a design specifically for teachers. Base price: $15.95 (for regular), $9.95 for student
Erin Condren Life Planner: This has been my go-to planner for the past 2 years. I use the vertical layout (although it does come in hourly and horizontal layouts, but the vertical version works best for me). I customize this planner to the max using stickers from Etsy shops. Also, the cover is interchangeable. However, if you're looking for a more affordable version that's pretty much the exact same, check out the Recollections planners from Michael's. Base price: $55
Ban.do Agenda: I've used this planner a couple of times, but always come back to the Erin Condren. This planner only comes in the horizontal layout, and I find it hard to be creative in that kind of format. However, I definitely recommend it for students. Unfortunately, this planner is not lined (except for its note pages), but if you love to draw in your plans or even bullet journal, I'd definitely recommend this one. Base price: $20
2. Prioritize your tasks.
Doing the easy tasks may sound OK at first, but when you're done with them, are you really going to want to do the more difficult/important tasks? Write your top 3 priorities of the day and do each of them one-by-one. Don't try and multitask.
If your top priority is to start on that 10 page research paper and your bottom priority is to fill out an index card with your name, email, major, and something interesting about yourself, you know which task your should do first. You'll feel so much better when you get it out of the way.
3. Take care of yourself.
If you saw one of my previous posts, which was about how to relax and include self-care in your daily routine, you'll know how crucial it is to take care of yourself--especially when life is stressful. I know you might think it's a good idea to pull an all-nighter to do some last minute studying or finishing up an assignment last minute, but you'll end up so exhausted the next day. Do yourself a favor and close your laptop and get some sleep. Wake up early the next day if you have to. But you'll be way less efficient and productive if you don't get enough sleep at night.
4. Turn off your phone, or at least put it on Do Not Disturb.
Have you ever worked on an assignment for class or a task given to you by your supervisor, and the next thing you know, you're on your phone scrolling through your Instagram feed and end up wasting half an hour or more? Me, too. Take my advice and keep your phone away from your work station when you have important assignments and tasks to finish. You'll be done before you know it when you give that task 100% of your attention.
5. Go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning (if you can).
I never listened to counselors in college when they told me to wake up at the same time every morning. If I have a 9 AM class on Monday, that means I have to get up at 8-ish. Do you really think I'm going to set my alarm for 8 AM on Tuesday when my first class that day is at 1 PM? NO. However, if your classes are around the same time every morning or afternoon, try and figure out a time that works for you to wake up.
Now that I work the same hours every day, I wake up at 7 every morning during the week, and around 9 on the weekend. I also go to bed at the same time. Keeping up this kind of routine will help your body know when it's time to get work done and when it's time to relax.
What do you do to stay productive? Leave a comment below!
*This post is not sponsored in any way*