It’s time to move forward on what is probably going to be a very busy day for you. But do not fear! You will get it done and have some room to spare! So, let’s get you organized right now and ready for this day; an opportunity to really kick it into full gear and make things happen!
5 ‘Smart’ Tips To Kick Your Days Into Full Gear!
- Make a Plan: Get your plan down on paper or on some sort of program of what you WILL be accomplishing today. If you don’t have a written plan, you’re likely not going to be taking any action on it. Make yourself accountable. Get it down. WRITE IT DOWN!
- Establish your Zone: Before taking action on your plan, be sure to establish your zone, prepare the environment around you. Is your desk a mess? Or if you’re doing projects at home, is the space you’re working in so disorganized you can’t find anything? Do you have everything you need to tackle your to-accomplish list right now? Establish your zone so you can move forward!
- Set Yourself Accountable: How are you going to keep yourself motivated to get it done today? Are you internally motivated that all you need is your to-do list? Or would telling someone that you are working on something help motivate you more in getting it done? Whatever will help you kick it up a notch, give yourself some form of accountability to get it done.
- Don’t Stress the Small Stuff: As you are tackling your to-do list, all types of distractions will come your way. Don’t let them get in your way of the stuff you have prioritized to get done today.
- Set the Reward: We all like to be rewarded for our efforts. Get yourself motivated and set a reward for yourself after getting each thing done on your list and then after you accomplish everything on your list.
Okay, so there’s the plan, now it’s time for YOU to get moving WAY forward my friends and get it done and make things happen today. READY. SET. LET’S DO THIS!
Post your comments below. How do you kick your days into full gear? Send me your ways to keep motivated and driven each day!
I am absolutely passionate about YOUR success and happiness. I will teach you very ‘smart’ strategies for you to SOAR! If you’re ready and committed to invest in yourself, contact me today and let’s start a conversation! -Cynthia
Hey Cynthia!
Making a list helps me to put things into perspective and not feel quite so overwhelmed whether it’s at work or here at home just doing household chores! Thanks for the great information!
Jsnie from Tennessee
it’s important to connect yourself with your motivation drivers. everyone is motivated by different things, some by goals and objectives or by “seeing” progress, some by the idea of success or by rewards, some by praise, etc… and some by avoiding negative things. Make sure to motivate yourself in the way that best fits you.
That’s what I would add to an otherwise great post, Cynthia 🙂
Dorin ( @DorinSnd )
Love this. It’s very important to create your space, because your mind stays cluttered if your space does. Personally, the act of finding my desk top kicks my mind in gear (along with that precious cuppa Dark Roast!).
Great post Cynthia! I like having just 5 tips which is not as potentially overwhelming for some, and in fact, three would even be better. However, you hit it out of the park once again and I particularly liked #2 setting up a “zone” for oneself. I believe this is one thing that can be overlooked, yet it is clearly very important if one is to get organized and maximize productivity for the day!
Now its as you say: READY. SET. LETS DO THIS!
Have a wonderful day my friend!
Dale
This is a must read for this Monday morning!! Excellent post!!
Thank you SO much Deb for reading my blog and commenting! You are awesome! Have an amazing week!!
Cynthia,
Great list. The one thing I would add is consider carefully exercise. An energized mind can be enhanced by getting the blood flowing round your body. Even a short 10 minutes as pace at regular intervals can make a huge difference to your day.
Marc
You must have known I needed this today. Such a busy week ahead with very exciting things happening. MAKE A PLAN!
Thank you Stephanie for your comments. All the best for your exciting week ahead! Your action plan has success written all over it!
I think the accountability part is huge. I love to write. I have a writing coach. He holds me accountable for when I do not circulate enough or if my writing is crappy. Get an accountability partner – you won’t regret it!
Thanks for sharing this!!
Sheryl Brown / @BIONICsocialite
Awesome post. I definitely make a list, it keeps me on track and focused. My work area must be organized and clutter free. Great blog, helpful tips for getting the most out of your day!
I am finding the older I get, the more I forget 🙂 Writing things down is key Cindy! I agree with you on that. I am motivated by being blessed by doing something I love to do for a living. Sometimes I have to take a step back and realize that when things tend to get a either a bit tiresome or draining. Always remember that someone else has it worse off than (you think) you do.
These are fabulous suggestions Cynthia! I love them. What helps me with my day is getting it organized the night before. I usually tend to set my week on Sunday night and then add/modify my “to do” list as the week progresses. If I don’t write it down, then I’ll have a difficult time focusing on what must get done. Crossing things out from my list gives me great satisfaction because that means that I got things done! Thanks for sharing another wonderful post!
Linda
Hey Cynthia, I think you hit all the points that keep anyone from letting their day beat them. This is a very motivational piece on how to win your day! Love it! 🙂
Thank you Sage for the shout out! I am so glad you found my article to be motivational!!!
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of writing down your plan for the day. While to-do lists tend to be lengthy and carried over from day to day, a concise plan of milestones that must be accomplished during the day is very helpful for keeping myself on track.
I like your suggestion of making a ‘concise plan of milestones’ Elizabeth! Definitely is an action plan full of success written all over it! Thank you so much for your comments!
Great post Cynthia! I would also add to make sure to take time for yourself… some ‘me’ time. It helps to re-energize your focus and energy and is definitely needed for your well being. Even if it is only a 15 minute break a couple of times a day.
You make an awesome point Chantal to make time for yourself each day. I love the idea of taking small breaks and doing little things that you enjoy so much during the day. Thank you for your comments!
I love Cynthia’s list because it touches on the things that really get me pumping…creating the right environment, gathering thoughts, reaffirming the plan and taking accountability. These are the golden steps that we can all take.
But as always, Super-Cynthia makes me think about stuff in a different way!
We are all busy, right? We scramble to find the time to do all these good things, but we always seem to be racing…I know that I always seem to end up scrambling to grab time here and there, where I can. A few minutes at the start of the day, between meetings, grabbing a cup of tea – anything that gives me some precious head-space.
So as part of kickstarting your day, how do you find those precious minutes?
I have 5 fav “quick start” rituals that help me settle my thoughts and get into the zone – each are short, simple and get me into a space from where I can kick Cynthia’s 5-Steps into action.
1. A bench at my local train station.
Each day, I sit in my favorite spot for a few quiet minutes before the morning commute. A simple way to start my day with a quick recharge – I memorized Shakespeare’s classic Richard III (Act 1, Scene 1) monologue for an acting audition, with 5 stolen minutes on my bench each morning.
2. Drinking tea on the back step.
Always at my fingertips, quick, cheap and allows me to indulge one of my favorite bare-feet pastimes!
3. Breakfast in a city cafe.
I think that I completed 50% of my Master’s degree whilst sitting in the window seat at a cafe in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Hustle, bustle, music, people bumping me…10 minute grabs…and a wonderful energy and rhythm that I just settled into.
4. On the train.
I often feel as if my morning and evening train journeys provide some of the most productive time in my day. Why? When I settle into my seat, I feel like I own that space and it becomes a haven for an hour. I love the gentle rhythm of the train, the comforting routine of seeing the same people…it feels settling and in a sense, hypnotic. Earphones on, eyes down, heaven!
5. While waiting.
We all have random moments during the day where we have dead time – sitting and waiting for appointments or people. Embrace those times as free gifts! Be prepared – carry a notebook, pen, tablet device or voice recorder with you everywhere. I never leave home without a mobile device containing Evernote, so that I always feel synced and fabulous.
Thanks Cynthia, you are amazing!
Hi Cynthia,
Excellent suggestions to frame a successful day! I like to have #1 & #2 organized the night before to make sure everything is in place and I can hit the ground running the next day.
I have two rituals that ground and center me to start my day:
1. Journaling & oil pulling – I find writing first thing in the morning dispels distracting thoughts and creates clarity to my morning, so that I’m ready to start my day with enthusiasm. I pair the oil pulling while journaling, so that I’m detoxing my body at the same time as my mind.
2. Tibetan Rites – 5 simple exercises done in succession that get me energized for the day.
After those, I refine my plan for the day and go!
What awesome rituals you have Debbie to frame your day! You are setting your day up for great success and doing it in a very healthy way. Love it!
Great tips Cynthia! I consider myself very blessed to be passionate about the work I do. I’m always excited to “show up” for my training or coaching sessions and motivational conferences. In between, during my prep time,I particularly appreciate having my work “zone”. Keeps me focused. Taking short breaks also helps, allows for perspective and better focus.
Giovanni
Thank you so much Giovanni for your comments. I really love that you take short breaks. Breaks are definitely important to re-gain focus and recharge! That’s a great way to keep yourself in high gear!
Thanks Cindy, need to take some time and get my zone into better shape.
Thank you for your comments Gary. When you take some time to set-up your zone, you are setting yourself up for greatness and success!
You are so smart Cynthia! You are exactly right! I would be no where without my list and getting my environment as ready as possible the day before. It takes a little of pre-planning, but it makes such a difference. You are the best! xoxo
You are VERY smart Nora to have your to-accomplish lists and setting up your environment for success! Keep rocking superstar!
Awesome post Cynthia! Great tips! I wouldn’t get anything done without my to do list. Because without it would take me so much time to try and remember what I should be doing that day and I’ll probably forget 50% of it. 🙂
Have an awesome week!
Franca
I am also ALL about my daily list Franca! It keeps me focused to get everything I need to get done in a day. Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I appreciate it!
Hi Cynthia
thanks for this real ‘Carpe Jugular’ (Seize the Throat) post to kick start your day.
I am all for lists, and keeping a journal…
‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’
Great stuff
Dave
Great point that you make Dave, that “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”! I appreciate your comments!
Great post, Cynthia! You make so many great points…and offer solid suggestions on how to get our day into high gear!
I MUST start my day with two cups of strong coffee! But while drinking my coffee, I find it an excellent time to journal or read an inspirational message. It just helps set the tone for the day.
Next, I make a list of everything I would like to get done that day, and then I prioritize them.
Finally, I give myself permission to NOT tick off everything in my to-do list. I eliminate everything but the top 3 and then arrange my day around them. If I have time for more, great. That’s when I take care of the “unexpected” things that creep into every day.
Excellent ways to get your day into high gear LaRae! And I am with you on the two cups of strong coffee at the beginning of the day! Thanks for your comments!
Excellent points Cyn!!! Ready, Set, Go ~ Let’s do this!!! :))
Great post Cynthia! I agree with all 5 of your tips. For me a daily plan is a must. Without a plan I can easily get lost. I am still “old school” so my plan is written down in my notebook. That way I can make notes throughout the day, write down any thoughts or new ideas, etc.
As the weather warms up here in Kansas City I like to get outside and run. My work reward this time of year is always an afternoon run after I complete the items on my to do list. It is always motivation for me to get through my daily plan so I can go out and get some much needed fresh air and exercise!
Keep up the amazing work Cynthia!
Hello Cynthia,
Thank you for another wonderful post! I’ve always had to write down my plans, goals, and dreams. Things have been so out of tune for me lately but trying hard to get back on track! These tips will help tremendously!
If there’s one thing which is evident is that Cynthia has got it right again.
It’s essential to plan prepare undertake and then reward yourself…sound advice and sensible thinking.
Take her advice use it wisely and benefit accordingly!
Good luck.