- EARLY TO RISE
- Resist that temptation that may make your bed seem like the loveliest place in the world on a Monday morning. The more time you spend in bed, the less time left for you to complete your goals for the day. This is not saying that sleep is over-rated. You need quality sleep – in the night. No need staying up for the newest Game of Thrones episode late on a Sunday night. Sorry. That way, you will get the sleep you need, and won’t have to struggle to climb out of your bed on Monday morning.
- EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST
If you had plans to skip that breakfast, think again. True, all you may have in mind is how to get to work before the 8 am time brigade signs off the time book, but that doesn’t mean that you cannot turn on the gas. Make some eggs for yourself, pour some of that whole grained cereal into a bowl and spice it up with some bananas. An early breakfast will give you the energy you need to face your day head-on. And of course, it beats having to spend all morning worrying about how hungry you are.
- RETURN EMAILS AND MESSAGES
Ideally, after you wake and have your opening meal, you should head to your computer. Check your emails and respond to as many of them as you can. Your replies do not have to be essays. Make out brief and pointed responses. In time, this approach will train those who send emails to you not to ramble. Time is precious. There is no reason to leave an email unanswered when all the time you need to deal with it is two minutes. Besides, the faster you get back to people, the more professional you appear.
- CREATE A TO-DO LIST
Days have a way of vanishing when you do not hold them to account. In other words, it is hard to accomplish your goals if you do not know what they are. That is why you should take some time on a Monday morning to list out what you want to accomplish for the week. After you draft your goals for the week, separate the items so you have a little to do each day. That way, you will not get paralyzed or overwhelmed just from seeing a giant list.
- EXERCISE
If getting yourself out of bed was a struggle, then I can imagine how much of a struggle pushing yourself to exercise would be. Take my word; exercising is the best way to start your day off on a good foot. Not to talk of the psychological benefit of the improved mood, and physiological benefit of heightened stamina. Even if you slack for the rest of the day, you won’t feel too guilty, because you know you got some exercise early in the day.
- MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR YOURSELF TOMORROW
One of my all-time favourite quotes is: “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” Nothing stands in the way of achievement as much as procrastination. We know you can get it done tomorrow, but what stops you from doing it today? Maybe that means that you should finish an assignment now so that you don’t have to do it at the last minute tomorrow. Maybe it means you should pick out your outfit a day ahead of time, so you’re not stuck making a decision in the morning. Which brings us back to your to-do list. Hold yourself accountable. If something makes it to your To-Do list, do it. That is the least you can do.
- PUT YOUR SMILE ON
If you go through the day with a frown on your face, you most likely will not accomplish anything much. A positive attitude goes a long way. That is why you should smile at strangers, act friendly when you run into familiar faces and remain as determinedly optimistic as possible. If you think you are going to have a productive day, there is a very high chance that you will actually have a productive day!
