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Many of the things you do each day to reach your goals can be achieved by creating small routines or daily habits that you perform primarily without thinking about it each day. By making your actions routine and, more importantly, a habit, you’ll get more done and not feel like you’re always working.

• Get Hydrated – Start each day with a couple of cups of water. Some people prefer lemon water. You can enjoy it cold or warm depending on the time of the year. Starting off your day hydrated will boost your energy and make it more likely you get to your to-do list.
• Review Your Schedule – As you go through life, you should use a to-do list each day. Before you start your day, glance at your to-do list to get an overview of what you need to do during your day. I plan my schedule the day before. Then, prioritize the items according to my needs in the morning. Sometimes overnight things change. 

• Create a Morning Routine – Set up a morning routine for your self-care, which may include taking a shower, making your bed, getting dressed, eating breakfast, etc. You may also want to add meditation, do some yoga, or journal in the morning routine. My morning routine starts with a walk, then shower and dressing for the day depending on the type of work I will be doing. Next is breakfast and making my lunch.  I am off to my office to look at emails and do some social media marketing. Then my day starts and the To-Do list is important.
• Invest in Your Nutrition – One way to become more productive is to eat right. Your diet is as important as exercising.  Eat according to your dietary needs. By prepping your food in advance makes it easier to stick to a plan each day. This is why I pack my lunch at breakfast.  If I take my lunch to work with me I am less likely to grab fast food.  Some people like to pack their lunch after supper. I also plan 1 week of suppers before I go grocery shopping. I enjoy not having to think about what to make for supper each night.
  

  Plan a menu then build your grocery shopping list.

• Develop a Positive Mindset – Find ways to look at the positive aspects of your life. When you have a positive mindset or outlook, it tends to strengthen your motivation. The motivation usually comes after you take action and focus on the feelings you experience after you take a specific action. That successful experience encourages you to be more positive because you feel more productive and helpful.
• Celebrate Your Victories – When you are successful and accomplish something, find a way to celebrate, no matter how small. You can draw on the experience to motivate you to take more action. Treat yourself to a walk, a trip to the gym, tea or coffee, a warm bath, a hot relaxing shower, a movie or a dance party.
• Segment Your Workday – Don’t work all the time. This is especially important if you work for yourself. The work never ends. Set boundaries. Set specific hours for your workday. Stick to these hours at least 80 percent of the time. Keep in mind that remaining flexible is important. Sometimes working hard is going to be required, but it’s not required every single day.

Each time you add a routine to your day that can be repeated regularly and easily, you are beginning to create a habit. Habits are difficult to stop. This is because they incorporate a trigger and have a rewarding response. This is called conditioning. Set up your triggers to be rewarding so you can trigger yourself to succeed in all areas of life. If you need help developing routines contact julie@mindoverclutter.ca 

What routines help you to be productive? 

Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

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