Do you find yourself wasting away yet another day and feeling like you’re stuck and can’t break from the same old routine? It’s easy to get caught up in the grind of everyday life and forget that each day is a new opportunity to start fresh; here are 7 best tips on how to make the most of every day.
Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution or just a Monday morning, we all wake up each morning with the opportunity to start anew.
Even though it’s cliché, it’s true — every day is a new opportunity to better ourselves and our lives; and with these 5 tips, you can make the most of each day and create the life you want for yourself.
7 Best Tips To Make The Most Out of Every Day
Here are 7 best tips on how to make every day a fresh start:
1. Wake up with a positive attitude.
Your attitude has a huge impact because it sets the tone for the whole day which can either make or break your day.
If you wake up with a negative attitude, you’re more likely to have a bad unproductive, and unsuccessful day. On the other hand, if you wake up with a positive attitude, you’re more likely to have a good, productive, and successful day.
To wake up with a positive attitude, start by setting yourself up for success the night before — lay out your clothes, prep your breakfast or lunch, and pack your gym bag if you’re planning on working out — to avoid the morning rush and have time to relax and start your day off on the right foot.
As soon as you wake up, take a few deep breaths and smile — even if you don’t feel like it — because as the saying goes “fake it til you make it” actually works.
Start your day with:
- Affirmations by telling yourself things like “I am capable” or “I am worthy” to help build your confidence and help you focus to be more productive.
- And, gratitude by thinking of 3 things that you’re grateful for; this will help shift your focus from what’s going wrong in your life to what’s going right.
Last but not least, drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up to rehydrate your body and jump-start your metabolism and get your blood flowing to help you feel energetic and awake.
Once you get into the swing of things, starting your day with a positive attitude will become second nature and it will help you make the most of every day.
2. Set goals for the day.
Setting goals for the day helps you be productive by staying on track so that you can make the most out of each day.
Having goals gives you a sense of purpose and helps you make the most of your time because you have something to work towards, instead of aimlessly going through the day and wasting time.
To set goals for the day, start by thinking about what you want to accomplish – both big and small. Then, prioritize your goals by what’s most important and what can wait.
Once you have your list of goals, put them somewhere visible so that you can refer to them throughout the day and check things off as you go.
And, don’t forget to be realistic with your goals – if you try to do too much, you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, which will set you back.
3. Get organized — so you don’t waste time.
Is your desk cluttered? Are you constantly losing your keys or forgetting important dates? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it might be time to start getting organized.
Organization is key to making the most of each day because it helps you use your time wisely and avoid feeling frazzled. A lot of people find that when they’re organized, they’re more productive and less stressed because they know where things are and they don’t have to waste time looking for things or doing things at the last minute.
There are a few different ways you can get organized, but it really depends on what works best for you:
- Make a to-do list for the day or week so that you know what needs to be done and can tackle things one at a time.
- Put things in order of importance so that you know what to focus on first.
- Set time limits for each task so that you can stay on track and avoid getting bogged down.
- Break up big projects into smaller tasks so that they seem more manageable.
- Schedule everything out so that you know what’s coming up and can plan accordingly.
- Use a planner to keep track of important dates and deadlines.
- Use a filing system to organize your paperwork, or use labels and bins to organize your belongings.
Whatever method you choose, make sure it’s something that you can stick with long-term; otherwise, you’ll just end up back where you started.
4. Don’t procrastinate — get things done.
Procrastination is the enemy of productivity, so if you want to make the most of your day and stay on schedule, avoid it at all costs.
A study made by Florida State University psychologists Dianne M. Tice, PhD, and Roy F. Baumeister, PhD, students who procrastinated early on in the semester reported lower stress levels and less illness, but as the semester went on, the students who procrastinated began to report higher stress levels and more illness.
When you procrastinate, you’re putting off doing something that needs to be done and the longer you wait, the more likely it is that you’ll have to hurry to get it done, which can lead to mistakes being made. Not to mention, the stress of knowing that you have something hanging over your head can be overwhelming and make it difficult to focus on anything else.
To avoid procrastination, start by identifying why you’re putting something off:
- Is it because you don’t know how to do it?
- Or because you’re not in the mood?
- Do you not have a clear plan?
- Is the task too big or overwhelming?
- Are you afraid of failure?
- Do you not have the necessary resources?
Once you identify the root of the problem, you can address the issue and start to find a solution.
For example, if you don’t have a clear plan, make a list of what needs to be done. If the task is too big, break it down into smaller steps. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try focusing on just one thing at a time so that you don’t become paralyzed. And, if you’re afraid of failure, remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s okay to not be perfect.
The best way to avoid procrastination is to just get started with the Pomodoro Technique — set a timer for 25 minutes and start working on the task at hand. Once the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break and then start again until four 25-minute sessions have passed. Take a longer break after the fourth session, and then start again; this is a great way to stay focused and avoid burnout.
Procrastination is a habit, so it might take some time to break it. But, if you can start to get things done instead of putting them off, you’ll find that you have more time to get things done — and that you feel better in general; here are other habits that destroy your focus and productivity and that you need to avoid completely.
5. Eliminate distractions — so you can focus.
In today’s world, there are more distractions than ever before – and they can really hinder your productivity. From social media to email to your phone, it’s easy to get sidetracked and waste time when you should be working.
To eliminate distractions, start by identifying what they are:
- Do you spend too much time on social media or checking your email?
- Do you get lost in social media scrolling?
- Do you have email notifications turned on?
- Do you allow yourself to be interrupted by phone calls or text messages?
- Do you try to do too many things at once?
Once you know what’s causing the distractions, you can take the steps necessary to avoid them.
For example, if you’re spending too much time on social media, log out of your accounts or delete the apps from your phone. If you have email notifications turned on, disable them so that you’re not tempted to check your inbox every time you get a new message. And, if your phone is within reach, put it in another room or turn it off entirely.
It’s also helpful to set aside specific times for breaks so that you’re not trying to work and take a break at the same time. For example, you might take a 10-minute break every hour to check social media or return phone calls. Or, you might set aside 30 minutes at the end of the day to catch up on emails. This way, you’re not constantly trying to juggle multiple things at once and you can give each task your undivided attention to make the most of your time and, hence, every day.
Eliminating distractions lead you to be more productive because by removing the things that pull your attention and focus, you’ll be able to focus more easily and get more done.
6. Don’t be afraid to say no — know your limits.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is saying yes to everything — even when they’re already stretched thin. If you want to make the most of your time, you need to learn how to say no to the things that aren’t a priority.
Part of the problem is that we often feel like we have to do everything ourselves or else it won’t get done — but that’s not true; other people in your life can help you with tasks, whether it’s your partner, your kids, your friends, or even a professional service.
Saying no is hard, but it’s important to know your limits, meaning knowing how much you can realistically handle. If you’re already stretched thin, adding more to your plate is only going to make things worse; not only will you be stressed out and overwhelmed, but you’re also likely to start making mistakes because you’re trying to do too much.
Start by identifying your top priorities — the things that are most important to you and that you need to focus on. Then, make a list of the things that you can delegate or say no to. This list might include things like:
- Returning phone calls and emails.
- Planning social events.
- Running errands.
- Cooking dinner.
- Cleaning the house.
- Doing laundry.
Now, when you’re asked to do something or you’re presented with an opportunity, you can refer to your list to see if it’s something that you really have time for. If it’s not a priority or it’s something that someone else can do, don’t be afraid to say no.
Remember, saying no doesn’t make you a bad person – it just means that you’re prioritizing your time and focus so that you can be more productive.
7. Take breaks — so you don’t burn out.
Working non-stop is not only unproductive, it’s also unhealthy. If you want to be productive, it’s important that you take breaks throughout the day so that you can increases your energy and ability to focus. When you’re trying to do too much, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out, which can lead to mistakes and a loss of productivity.
Make sure to take breaks throughout the day — even if it’s just a few minutes here and there. Step away from your work to take a walk, do some stretches, or just take a few deep breaths to help you clear your head so that you can come back to your work ready to focus.
Taking a break looks different for everyone, so find what works for you. Some people prefer to take a few shorter breaks throughout the day, while others prefer to take one longer break in the middle of the day.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for break ideas:
- Get up and move around for a few minutes — take a walk, do some stretches, or just dance around to your favorite song.
- Take a quick nap — even just 10-20 minutes can make a big difference.
- Step away from your work — read a book, talk to a friend, or watch a movie.
- Do something that relaxes you — listen to calm music, meditate, or do some deep breathing exercises.
In addition to taking regular breaks, it’s also important to take vacation days and time off when you need it. This might seem counterintuitive — after all, if you’re trying to be productive, why would you take time off? But the truth is that vacations and time away from work are essential for your productivity because you recharge and come back refreshed.
Experiment until you find what works best for you and then make it a habit. By making even just a few of these changes, you can start to see a difference in your productivity and, as a result, make the most of every day.
Every day is a fresh start — an opportunity to focus on your priorities and achieve your goals. By making some simple changes to the way you approach each day, you can set yourself up for success and make the most of every day.
