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6 Ways To Get The Most From Your 24 Hours(From Quora)
Getting the larger picture correct is easy. Getting it is difficult. Which is why most people find it easy to dream about having a successful life but more often than not fail to achieve.
Becoming successful and higher productivity requires consistent actions in small proportions every single day to ensure you get to your final destination.
Let’s look how you can make the most of each day and accomplish the most in one day. Being successful does not mean you get successful for one day. It means being successful every single day or at least most days. Which is why it is important to understand how to get the most out of each day. Let your dream be the road-map and view it every now and then to stay on course. But, paddle towards it by working on the now and today.
No matter whatever field of job you belong to, give your everyday tasks a leg-up or simply achieve more in the same time using these simple organizing tricks:
1. Plan your day:
First of all, before you do anything, buy a notebook preferably a small one. Yes, it might seem stupid or too gimmicky, but maintaining a pocket notebook will ensure that you have your list of tasks readily available with you wherever you go. And, don't go for a digital notebook, keep it low-key because pen and paper keep it simple.
At the onset of your day, ensure that you have all possible tasks that you plan to achieve that day listed on a piece of paper. It could be the smallest of tasks from calling someone to remind something to the most complicated of tasks to finish a report. You should also include all personal work also. We all know how we miss out on small personal things, which add up over time and build up stress. Note that you only mention the "action-points" and not the details of what you need to do. So, it should be as simple as "Call Mary to congratulate on her promotion" or "send the reviewed document to client team" or "go to the gym". Ensure that you mention all the tasks and don't leave anything for your memory because God knows it doesn't work.
Knowing what you want to achieve gives you the focus and clarity to invest your time wisely. On some days, when you will have a large list you'll know to spend less time on unproductive things, such as gossiping and focus on what really needs to be completed.
2. Prioritize:
Once you have listed all your tasks, ensure to prioritize all action-items in accordance to their importance. The most important (or difficult) ones need to be completed first. You'll find it difficult to focus on other tasks when you know a larger more difficult task is waiting to be completed. It will be highly distracting, so first, deal with the elephant in the room and be done with it. The completion of a difficult task will also free your mind and give you the motivation to keep going for the remaining ones.
You will, at times, also need to prioritize other items, such as spending time with your family or keeping a check on your health, which appear to be of less importance but are equally important to your life. You don't want to be a rock star at work but a laggard at home or with friends.
Also, please note that all tasks are important, but not all task are urgent. So, ensure you prioritize only the urgent ones first in case you're dealing with a long list.
3. De-clutter:
You'll often find difficult items on your task, which are time-consuming and complex in execution. De-clutter these tasks. Break these complex tasks into a series of mini sub-tasks which are much simpler to execute. Usually, a complex task often confuses our brain to decide where to begin. In such cases, you need to understand the relevant steps needed to complete the tasks. Next, put these tasks into a logical order, and then go on completing these sub-tasks one-by-one. For e.g., let's say you have to finish a research report. When you are making your list, begin with writing "Finish XYZ report". But, then draw sub-bullets to break the tasks into smaller steps required to complete it in a logical order such as "Search for related information on popular websites", "collate the available information", "prepare the first draft", "review the first draft", "compile the second or final draft", "email it"
4. Time the tasks:
Now for each of these tasks gives you a realistic duration. It doesn't have to be perfect, but an estimated schedule will really help you build a realistic achievement plan for the day. Ensure that no task in the day is longer than 2 to 3 hours (unless it is a session or a class which will last longer). Ensure that you list tasks that might take as little as 5 mins to complete. Using this duration, put together a schedule for the day for yourself. Do not forget to include time for meals in the day.
5. Cross each item:
Every time you complete the smallest of tasks, ensure to cross the task off your list. The feeling of actually completing a task and getting to cross-it off is very fulfilling. And, it provides you the needed motivation to complete other tasks.
Caution: DO NOT cross off a task until it has been completed entirely. Even if you know it will surely be completed, ensure to keep it on your list until you finish it off completely. This prevents chances of getting you distracted or complacent at the last moment.
In case, there are items that you couldn't complete in a day make sure to incorporate it in the next day's list. Also, look back and evaluate why you missed them. Was it because you had a lack of time or you simply missed out? In case, it was the former, ensure that you give the task sufficient time in the next task plan. If it was the latter, understand why you missed it? If it was because you didn't feel it was important and you had more urgent things to deal with it makes sense. But if you simply put it off, it could be a clear warning for procrastination.
Ensuring that we achieve what we possibly can in a day builds up over a considerable period of time. It ensures that you do not waste time on unproductive endeavors and stay focused on your larger goals. Hope these tricks help you achieve the high performance that you were aiming for.
And, yes don't forget to put leisure time in that task plan every now and then. Again, nothing more than 2 to 3 hours.
You cannot become a millionaire with a minimum wage work ethic.
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