Do you have a morning routine? Did you know that the first few hours of your workday have a significant effect on your level of productivity for the day?
Eat a proper breakfast.
This will help you have the mental energy needed to last throughout the day and deal with everything thrown your way. It will also help you stay more physically fit.
Arrive on time.
Although this may be obvious to most, not everyone gets it. If you arrive late, your entire day can be thrown off. If you arrive on time, you will feel a better sense of accomplishment.
Take a deep breath.
Many people deal with stressful stuff at home, prior to leaving for work. Then many face a horrendous commute and then they have to dive right into work stuff. Slowing down and taking a deep breath can help. Make this a part of your morning routine and you’ll be surprised at how much this will help you. It helps set the tone for the day. Don’t allow yourself to be thrown off by your frantic co-workers.
Start each day with a clean slate.
Be organized and well prepared for each day. There may be things that have rolled over from the previous day, but if you have things under control, it will make every day feel like a fresh new day.
Don’t be moody.
Pay attention to your mood and its affect on those around you. The first hour of the day sets the tone, so grab another cup of coffee if necessary and set a positive mode. One grumpy person can put the entire staff in a bad mood.
Organize your day.
Make a to-do list and try to stick by that. There are so many distractions first thing in the morning, so if you are well prepared and have a list to go by, this will help keep you on course. Plan you schedule according to the most urgent tasks.
Be present.
You need to be present both physically and mentally. Set the tone for the day and acknowledge everyone you see, whether it is as small as just making eye contact and smiling at them.
Check in with your colleagues.
Connect with everyone on your team at the beginning of the day. Have everyone gather for five to ten minutes and share his or her goals of the day and provide pertinent information to the rest of the team. When you share your goals publicly, the odds of you actually achieving them rise substantially.
Organize your workspace.
Have a fresh start everyday and come to the office with your desk cleared off. You don’t want important notes to get lost in a pile of papers on your desk. This will help your stress level and help your productivity levels the rest of the day.
Remind yourself of your core purpose at work.
One of the most powerful motivators is connecting to a sense of purpose. Take a moment each day to remind yourself of what truly matters in your job and what you are ultimately trying to accomplish. By prioritizing and focusing on that will help your motivation levels.
Don’t be distracted by your inbox
Experts say you should not check your inbox first thing in the morning, as they say no emails are created equal. If you do though, sift through and only respond to the urgent ones. Otherwise, the less important ones can be a big distractor and can throw off your day’s schedule.
Listen to your voicemail.
Many people place more importance on their emails, but if you ignore your voicemail, you could miss something very important.
Place important calls and send urgent emails.
If you need to get ahold of someone, do it first thing so you don’t get distracted later in the day and forget to do so. This way you are more likely to get answers to the information you need and you’ll be able to finish your tasks better.
Take advantage of your cleared mind.
Plan high-brain activities early in the morning, before the stress of the day gets to you. Most people are more creative and function better in the mornings.
As seen on Forbes.com
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