B-E Productive
Hey guys 🙂 How are you?? Hope your day has been wonderful so far.
Mine has been fun and super productive 🙂
I went to the post office (sent you a package, mustachio), and to Beefcake and Noble to do the proposal thang.
I snacked on my favorite bar EVER made:
a bold and true statement 🙂
Came back to the casa, took the dogs on a long walk
and then made some lonchi.
Fajita cheese crisp with sautéed organic bell pepper, onion, garlic and cumin
Brown rice tortilla, Amy’s refried beans with green chili, Daiya and hot sauce:
+ brocc and nooch
Good stuff 🙂
Before I go answer emails for a lil while before Dance Trance, I thought I’d post some my favorite tips for being productive and organized when you have a lot on your plate since quite a few of you have asked what my methods are.
Here’s what usually works for me: (but might not work for you, just sharing my faves)
1) PLAN. As ya’ll know, I’m a huge planner. I plan my whole day out by the hour and cross things off, just to make sure it all gets taken care of.
Make a to-do list every morning with what you want to accomplish that day. Refer to it a few times during the day to make sure you’re on track.
2) HOT DRINKS. Have a little coffee or tea, and LOTS of water.
For me, it doesn’t even have to be caffeinated (but bonus if it is, heh heh). Something about drinking a hot drink lights a productive fire under my booty. Brings me back to college study days 😉
Water is important too because if I’m going-going-going and not hydrating properly, but mid-afternoon I’m a little tired.
3) TAKE BREAKS. For every hour I’m on the computer, I take 5 minutes to get up and walk around, read blogs for a while, play with the puppers or paint my toenails 😉 By taking a break, I don’t feel like I’m working as long and when I get back to it, I’m refreshed and ready to go.
4) SNACK. When I’m feeling distracted or hungry, it’s easy for me to want to stop whatever I’m doing and snooze. Fruit, trail mix and popcorn make amazing “productivity” snacks. The fiber will fill ya up and it’s easy to munch a few bites at a time.
(And now I have the sudden urge for popcorn, cinnamon and chocolate chips…)
5) LOVE YOUR WORK. Ok, so we can’t actually *love* everything we do. We all have chores that we put on the backburner (see #6) that we’re dreading. While we might not adore the task at hand or be able to control what it is, we CAN change our attitudes about it. Approach it in a positive way, get it over with and move onto the fun stuff!
6) DO THE WORST FIRST. Whatever you *don’t wanna do*, do it first. That way it’s out of the way and you can put the rest of your time into something else.
What are your tips for staying motivated and organized when you have a lot to do each day??
Please share- you always blow my mind with amazing advice 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your day!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to read:
68 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I totally agree with “do the worst first”. If I put it off until the end of the day I find a million reasons to not do it — plus then when its over I get to look forward to fun stuff 🙂
Its nice to know I’m not the only one who plans out my day broken into hour segments — it works so well for me too!
I love that you plan each day out- I feel like that’s a such good idea to get things DONE!! I try to get things done as soon as I know about them, to have more time to play later 🙂
above all, when I get busy and overwhelmed, the most important thing for me to do is make sure I make time for running, going to the gym and/or getting to yoga class. If I don’t get that time to clear my mind and boost my energy, I’ll get too stressed out to do anything as best as I can. Oh yes, and I agree, water is crucial!
so true! if i don’t work out… my day is not as good. those endorphins really help me get things done!
I agree! It puts me in a great mood and makes me want to keep being productive to keep my energy up!
I love to plan! Sometime its more fun to plan it then to actually do it 🙂 But I find that writing things down always helps, if its not on the list its likely that it won’t get done! 🙂
I plan every day using google reader, but don’t do it down to the hour most of the time – I spend 10 hours commuting and actually being present at work alone. Any tips for those like me?
i’d just break down your time at work into segments, and find ways before and after work to be more time effective so you can get in chill time and workout time
I could try that. I really should work out BEFORE work…but as it is I have to be OUT THE DOOR at 7:30 and getting up at 5 am is SO not appealing. Hehe.
Any tips for time effectiveness? I should send you a screenshot of my gcal. Hehe.
I totally agree about the to-do list!! Although…I seem to be forgetting to do one these days!! oooops 😉 I am so all-over-the-place and without a little organization, I can’t seem to get everything done! I have much more success when I plan out my day, INCLUDING my meals and workouts, because those are just as important as everything else! ***off to make a post-it to remind myself to make a to-do list for tomorrow ***
Awesome ideas!
I’m in total agreement with the todo list/schedule. If I don’t have a list or schedule close to me that gives me direction in my day…I get completely lost/distracted/overwhelmed/frustrated!
My only addition is to be realistic. So often we set ourselves up with a master list or enormous todo’s that just aren’t realistic with the time given. Productivity increases with success and success increases when you set yourself up for it! I have to be really honest with myself when my todo list is really 2 days packed into one. That leads to nothin but frustration!
And lastly- my schedule always has built in time for ME. No matter what it is, there is something special in my day that pertains to me and what I love. Whether it be a spinning class, time to make a new recipe or call an old friend. 🙂
Definitely agree about the hot drank thang…as I sip a hot cocoa while I type!
Visualization is always a great tool (not only in athletics) b/c I think about how I will feel (amazing!) when I get things done and then I am motivated to do it. Once the goal is achieved (no matter how big or small) I feel a slight sense of accomplishment b/c I reached it.
Exericse is a must! I look forward to it everyday and makes sitting at my computer for a few hours just a bit more tolerable (though frequent stand up breaks are a must!)
Haha “Beefcake and Noble”–you always crack me up.
And I can’t go through a day without a to-do list. I love them so much I literally squeal with joy as I cross things off of them..it makes me feel so accomplished. Sometimes putting “workout” on my to-do list actually makes me do it just because I want to be able to cross it off later.
Weird? Sure, but it works!
great tips! i have to do water instead of snacks though…i can go a little overboard there 🙂 but if i drink water then i’m FORCED to get up and at least go to the bathroom…good because it forces me to move around!
i always try to do the worst first like you said! I also tend to start lots of projects and leave them all unfinished so I have learned its better to complete one thing, finish it 100% then move onto the next item on your list…it really brought down my stress levels!!
I just bought a bunch of those bars, they were on clearance for a buck each at a drug store!
whaaaaaaat?!?
a dollar! so jealous… i would have STOCKED UP 🙂
To-do lists aer the only way! I usually write a list of things I want to accomplish each night before bed and then leave it on my nightstand. That way when I get up in the morning, it’s staring me in the face just daring me to conquer it. 😉
That is one of my top favorite bars too!
i’m so excited to see you SOON!!! 🙂
Hello Fitnessista – I stumbled upon your blog about a few months ago. I read it every single day! I LOVE it ! When i turn on my comp when i get home from work i do three things: 1 – check facebook 2- check the gmail 3- go to your site :)(and then on to cook dindin and such) ahh! thank you for all the great recipes. Its beautiful to see you living such a productive, healthy, happy life. I see a lot of similarities in myself.
your puppers are a-dorable . my puppa is a bichon, lola 🙂
thank you again for this,
Amy
thank YOU so much for reading!!
So, Ive been a huge fan of your blog for so long now, and I had to comment when I saw you posted the tools of the trade video! Im actually in the video (in the pink shirt and shorts). I work at the Halifax lululemon store and my amazing coworker made that video.
Im pretty pumped that you posted that, what a small world.
Have an amazing night!
what?! that is so cool!! 🙂
it is a small world!
<3
I am definitely a “list lady;” I have multiple lists going all the time. I love the feeling of accomplishing things off my to do list and being able to check them off!
Great tips! I always get the “worst” thing done first – I feel so accomplished when I do! 🙂
PS – Never heard of the popcorn+cinnamon+chocolate chip combo but it sounds amazing. Thanks. 😀
LOLing at “Mustachio.” Love it.
I smiled big at Beefcake & Noble. 😀
I don’t really know if I have tips exactly..but during busy days, I just mentally do my best to stay on top of things. Honestly, writing down plans gets me twisted but working out my schedule in my head seems to work.
i definitely agree on doing the worst work first. That way, it can only get easier. I make a lot of to-do lists and do looooots of planning too, and I find that scheduling the hours of my day and writing it all down or typing it into my Google calendar helps too.
I think sometimes I am a little too much of a planner. Planning keeps me so grounded but then if something goes off “my plan” even just a little, I freak out.
I love your tips though and you always seem to have it together. 😉
I am a MAJOR list writer. That’s how I stay organized. I try to do as much ahead of time as possible as well.
If I’m going to be productive at all, I absolutely need to start my day with a good run. Gets the body moving and clears my head as soon as I wake up. Then, like you, I’m all about list-making and planning.
Definitely going to have to try that popcorn snack. It looks delish!
If I’m doing stuff I don’t want to do, I definitely try to get the worst done first, and reward myself for getting it done. Like if I’m at my office job and have to enter boring data or something, I tell myself for ever five files I enter, I can read a blog! Works for me 🙂
Sometimes when I am sooo stressed, I use a line from the movie “What About Bob,” when Richard Dreyfus tells Bill Murray to “Take a vacation from your problems.” So silly I know, but sometimes when I force myself to take a break from worrying and focus on what is good in life (and use that mantra for the entire day/week),,,it makes it all better:)
I totally agree about planning out your day and staying hydrated. I also plan ahead as much as possible, like planning dinners and workouts for the week all at once. And working out is so important to my productivity. If working out doesn’t happen, nothing else does either.
Great Tips! Always need that little boost to get movin
i love planning and crossing things off! also- mung bean pasta ( commented on this a while back on where to get it) my whole foods didn’t have it.. tear :`(
I am a chronic list-maker!
I’m a huge fan of making lists! I have a planner notebook where I put my weekly meal plan, workout plan, and plans to get stuff done around my house like cleaning and organizing. It totally keeps me straight, and I find if I don’t write something down I’ll totally forget it, haha 🙂
Now that I’m not working anymore, I totally NEED to plan! I start my day like I was going to work anyway with a workout, shower, breakfast, etc. It helps!
I never make a list…because I’ll feel overwhelmed! But I think I may try it.. hmm…
great ideas. I have learned to do one thing at a time, so far so good!
I want that popcorn. 🙂
I have SO many tips for managing my time and I try my best to actually use them. My favorite was when I started organizing my life to fit MYSELF. I really looked at the way I like to go about my routine and organized my life accordingly. Stupid little things like keeping my deodorant by my clothes and organizing my bills around my online billpay saves me TONS of time. I never realized how much time I was wasting by looking for things or going back and doing them over!
I love to-do lists! Sometimes I’ll add things I’ve already done, just so I can cross them off. I think small rewards are great motivators also. Like, if I finish mammoth project, I get to paint my nails. Small dreams. 🙂
I always write lists too! i feel less overwhelmed when i can see it all on paper and then making times to do everything. i find i am way more productive in my day when i have worked out first, so thats always at the top of the list, plus its nice to start the day off with something fun that will make you feel good.
That fajita cheese crisp looks so good! Good luck on the proposal!
Love your planning tips. I am also A big planner. I find if I don’t make a list, nothing gets done! I love buying cute little notebooks to make it a little more fun.
I have been reading your blog for the past year and find you so inspirational! Thank you so much for all your work out and dinner ideas!
thank you so much for reading 🙂
OHHHHH the bar looks awesome, what is it? where did you get it?
vega vibrancy- i got it at veg fest!
Do the worst first and hot coffee, love those, that’s totally me!
Take breaks and snack..not as much..just b/c a break turns into…the task isn’t happening. Today is my day off work and I had one big appt, and not kidding like 7 stores I had to go to…with a 3 yr old. My tip is a sense of humor, lots of toddler snacks packed with, and make sure at least one store includes purses and accessories. It’s amazing that even little girls, really like playing with hair stuff and purses and those 10 mins can recharge the rest of the errand mania kind of day…LOL
Seriously girl, great tips. So happy to see this post from you. I can tell you had time to blog today and it shows..wonderful post!
🙂
thank you friend!
Great tips Gina. I do very similar things myself.
I plan, plan, plan and have an online list/calendar I use to tick things off.
I also always recommend to my coaching clients that you do the most important/biggest/profitable/etc task first, then the rest of the day will sail by!
Thanks!
Casey
Great Tips! I swear by them 🙂 xx
I make lists because I love to cross things off! I always feel more accomplished after doing that. I always promise myself if I get my list done then I can have a reward at the end of the day…nothing too big (i.e. a bubble bath, reading a new mag that came in the mail, going to bed early, watching a favorite reality tv show etc.)
does daiya melt like real cheese? what exactly is it made out of?
I am also a huge list person. But I find I end up writing multiple lists which get lost, so instead I write one large one for work and on the back page one large one for non-work. Then each week a calendar for what I have to do by each day.
At work I use the Outlook task feature so that my to-lists are interactive and send me reminders. And I block out sections of my Outlook calendar to do certain things – very helpful as my job is mad!
I love the hot drinks thing too. Although I go overboard on the snack sometimes. I find if I put goji berries in a hot tea (like green tea) its like two for one! It keeps me drinking it longer and stops me from wanting to snack on too many things at my desk.
I always start with a small easy task first so I know I’ll at least get one thing accomplished. It makes me feel productive and then I do the hard things, haha.
I’m overall rubbish at winding down, etc. I tend to work on my to-list non-stop which is not very good at all.
I’m a huge fan of to-do lists! It helps so much to see everything written out.
Also if I have a long day of studying, I like to take a break midway through to work out. Otherwise I’d go crazy from just hours of straight studying!
I’m all about the planning, but I’m really loving the hot drinks idea. It would take me back to my all-nighter days, haha. Those were quite the rush. Thanks for the tips!
i agree with everything! i am a HUGE planner with lists everywhere. when i was in school i made a detailed calendar everyday with blocks of work/workouts/free time/class/eating/etc. now that i have a FT job, however, my blocks look like “7:45-6:15 WORK” blahhh. i love being productive though. even on weekends you will NEVER find me sitting and watching tv for hours. sometimes i wish i could do it but i get agita that there are other things to be done!!