When it comes to changing our lives, the answer is in changing our daily habits.
Since becoming a single mum and Entrepreneur I've tried so many different ways to find extra pockets of time daily while maximising my productivity. I need & deserve a good work/life balance - & so do you.
Below I have listed 42 of my favourite tried & tested hacks that really will save you time & make your daily grind more productive.
1. Go non-iron
From your clothes, to your bedding, going non-iron saves a considerable amount of time. Invest in non-iron, beautiful ruched duvet sets- you won't be disappointed, I promise!
2. Meal plan
Read my ultimate meal-planning guide here.
3. Make one-pot/one tray bake meals
Having delicious nutritious food and spending time with your family in the evenings shouldn't be something that you have to choose between. You deserve both.
4. Cook in bulk
5. Prep your meals for the week
Schedule this in on the same day every week. If you live alone put on your favourite music, check out a new podcast, or listen to an audiobook. Or, if you live with family, turn it into a fun, bonding activity that you can do together.
6. Group friends together for catch-ups
7. Buy that perfect present for so-and-so when you see it
Just make sure you organise a space in your home for gifts, so that you don't forget what you have!
8. Avoid rush hour wherever possible
9. Get up earlier
Getting up earlier is a great way to be more productive. As long as you use the time wisely!
10. Create a morning routine
What puts you in a good mood? Do you love to practise yoga? Maybe you love your make-up... whatever makes you feel good, invest time every morning in doing it to set yourself up for the day.
11. Declutter
Read the benefits of decluttering here and when you're ready to jump in, check out my FREE pro tips in this post right here
12. Limit TV
13. Plan your days
14. Organise your home
If it's Pro Organiser secrets you're after click here
For wardrobe organisation click here
And when you're ready to systemise your kitchen you read this Professional guide right here.
15. Decorate your home to reflect the intended mood for each room
Make your bedroom a place of calm, where you can sleep well and re-charge. For the office, try stimulating colours & artwork that inspires you.
16. Use smart kitchen tools
Smart gadgets like slow cookers & soup makers save time.
17. Use a cleaning schedule
18. Open your post when it comes through the door & create a filing system for any keep/outstanding
19.Limit the amount of times you check your emails
20. Use an app timer
We've all done it... logged onto Insta just for '5 minutes' that have easily turned into an hour. App timers are THE perfect solution for this - as long as you stick to them!
21. Take digital detoxes
I conducted a live experiment for my dissertation at university on this subject & found digital detoxes to increase productivity, lower feelings of anxiety & depression & maximise productivity. Suffice to say, digital detoxing is something I do regularly.
22. Get enough sleep & honour your Circadian rhythm
Not getting enough sleep has been scientifically proven to interfere with mood & metabolic rate, read more about this fascinating subject here.
23. Exercise at home
I exercise daily at home. The truth is, there are so many online options these days that it isn't necessary to leave home anymore & if you're a mum of small ones who works full time like me, it's much easer to fit into your morning routine.
24. Exercise daily
20-30 minutes daily is more effective than a few hourly classes per week. Trust me... I know.
25. Listen to a book whilst completing another activity
26. Shop online
All that time you spend getting there, browsing, not to mention making impulse buys... it all adds up. Online shopping makes life so much easier, just allocate a time for it each week so that you're not tempted to overindulge!
27. Spend 15-20 minutes cleaning down surfaces & staying on top of laundry every day.
As-well-as decluttering & organising, this is the 3rd secret to my triad of keeping on top of my home. Easily.
28. Use waiting time while out to complete outstanding tasks
29. Delegate
30. Create an evening routine
31. Keep your schedule simple
Be realistic about what you can complete in a day. Don't set yourself up to fail.
32. Get your clothes out the night before
33. Use a timer
34. Analyse your daily habits & ask yourself - 'what's working? And what isn't?'
35. Make every outing count
Popping to town, but also have a parcel you need to send back - take it with you. For a FREE bonus tip, keep a bag by your front door, ready for tasks you need to complete when you go out next, then just simply grab the bag & take it with you. DONE!
36. Stick to a colour scheme for your clothes
Creating a colour schemed 'capsule wardrobe' is a great solution for anybody wanting to save time & money. read this interesting blog post here to learn more.
37. Delete social media apps regularly
Social media has changed the way we think & affected the amount of information our brains can handle in one go. Taking regular breaks & training the brain to focus for longer periods of time is really effective if you want to increase productivity.
38. Multi task
39. Don't over task
Tempting... I know, but it's a bad habit that will lead to you accomplishing less than you set out to do. And may even make you feel bad for not completing everything. Don't set yourself up for failure my friend.
40. Minimise distractions
What visual clutter can you tame? What noises can you manage? Take note of what distracts you everyday for two weeks and read over it to learn your problem areas.
41. Stack tasks together
Be mindful as you move around your home completing tasks... going into the kitchen to put some toast on, but know you need to look at the diary to schedule that app? Pop your toast in & pick the diary up while you're there. This saves time & energy moving back & forth unnecessarily. It all adds up!
42. Allocate some much needed time for rest time
Rest is so important for you to maintain focus, stay feeling good & stay on task.
So, that's it for today. Let me know which ones work for you. Have you tried some of the ones I've listed already? And what are your own favourite hacks for maximising productivity & saving time daily?
Thirsty for more? Download your free Decluttering guide. Follow us on social media for pro hacks and join our challenges on Instagram and Facebook.
Wishing you the best week ahead my friend!
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