5 Tips For Having a More Productive and Postive Day

If you want to accomplish your goals and dreams, seize the moments in front of you by becoming more productive every day. If you're struggling to remain motivated or focused, there are plenty of ways to squeeze the best out of each moment. Consider the following tips for having a more productive and positive day.

1. Plan the Night Before

In order to save time, many parents encourage their children to pick their clothes out the night before. In the morning, a lot of people experience grogginess and a bit of brain fog. As a result, it's much harder to make decisions that will impact the rest of your day. By planning your day the night before, it'll become much easier to get up, look at your list and begin to go through the motions. Simple activities like putting your workout clothes next to your bed and making a to-do list can shave off a lot of time that many typically tend to waste.

2. Read or Listen to Motivational Content

If you tend to naturally lean towards negative thinking, make the shift by changing the internal conversation you're having. Instead of being overly critical of yourself, develop a ritual of listening to motivational messages. Find motivational quotes that really resonate with you. Write them on notecards, and review those notecards each morning. Listen to different messages from motivational speakers on a daily basis. When you're able to change your internal conversation to a positive, uplifting one, you'll be able to change your beliefs. When you change your beliefs, you'll eventually change your entire life.

3. Set Alarms

Even though many people set their alarms in order to wake up in the morning, that's not the only time you can use them. You can actually set alarms to keep you on track with the rest of your day. One of the best ways to keep yourself on track is by using a system called thePomodoro Method. After setting an alarm to go off in 25 minutes, focus on your work until the alarm goes off. Take a five-minute break to stretch, drink water or take care of another quick task. Then, set the alarm for another 25 minutes to focus solely on your important task. Repeat this process until the task is complete. You can also set alarms in your phone to remind you to drink water, pay a bill or get on a conference call. Set your alarms to include music so that it's not a startling experience. When you're planning your day the night before, you can simultaneously set the alarms the night before.

4. Eliminate Distractions

If you know that scrolling through social media apps will distract you for hours, it's best to eliminate them until you complete your tasks. You can also set a time limit for how long you'll allow yourself to scroll through social media apps, watch streaming television or listen to funny podcasts. While those activities might be entertaining, they can suck a lot of time out of your day. If you're distracted by a house filled with loud children, consider hiring a sitter to keep the children entertained as you accomplish your goals. Sometimes, it takes a bit of creativity and intention to eliminate distractions. However, it's one of the most beneficial tips you can adopt as your own.

5. Exercise

Exercise is known to release endorphins. Endorphins are considered the "feel-good" hormones. Find a workout that you thoroughly enjoy. Whether you hop on your stationary bike for a 30-minute ride or you like to go for a jog in your neighborhood, find great ways to break a sweat in the morning. For many people, it's helpful to schedule the workout as the first activity in the morning. When it's the first activity you complete, you'll run on autopilot. By the time your body has a chance to protest or long for a few more minutes in the bed, you'll be halfway through your workout. Once you've set your morning alarm, immediately get out of bed, put your tennis shoes on and get to work. Treat yourself with a nutritious morning smoothie to take good care of your body as well.

Time truly stands still for no-one. If you're not careful, you'll look up and five years have passed by. Knowing this, recognize that each day is a gift. There's no time like the present to become more productive and positive. When you're able to change the trajectory of each day in a positive way, you'll naturally change the trajectory of your entire life.