We all know that feeling – you sit down at your desk with the best intentions, your to-do list brimming with chores and jobs, and within twenty minutes, you’re already behind and it feels as though the day is running away from you. You keep getting more and more emails, surprise meetings pop up, and somehow it’s the end of the day and you feel as though you didn’t really get anything done.
So how do you get some control back? How do you stop feeling as though you’re constantly reacting to things and actually start managing your day instead? The good news is there are some options, so keep reading to find out more.
Start With A Morning Ritual
It’s tempting to start your day by opening your inbox and jumping straight into reply mode, but emails are, when you think about it, other people’s priorities, not yours. That’s why you need to give yourself a few minutes at the start of your workday to check in with your own goals first – what actually needs to get done today? What will make you feel productive at the end of the day, even if chaos ensues?
A quick brain dump, a look at your calendar, and a moment to breathe can go a long way. It sets the tone. You’re in charge. You’ll feel a lot more in control.
Learn To Work Smarter, Not Harder
We all want to be a lot more efficient, but sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, and doing something manually for the hundredth time because that’s how you do it and always have done it that way might feel fine… until you realise you’ve spent hours on something that could have taken minutes with the right tools or knowledge.
If spreadsheets are part of your work life, for example, learning how to really use them can be an ideal thing to do, for example. We’re not talking about becoming an expert overnight, but a few good Excel training classes could make all the difference and boost your confidence as well as make things faster for you.
Give Your Brain A Break
It’s so weird how we think pushing through exhaustion means better productivity when the reality is the complete opposite. That’s why, if your brain’s feeling full, take a proper break – go outside, stretch, stare out of the window… do anything except work and look at your screen(s). Coming back with a fresh head often solves problems a lot faster than sitting there trying to come up with something without having any chance to switch off.
Plus, breaks remind you that you’re not a machine – you’re a human, and you’re allowed to rest (in fact, it’s very often the best thing for you).
End With Purpose
It’s easy to let your workday end in a blur of unfinished work and half-explored ideas, but taking five minutes to tidy up your workspace (digital and physical), make a note of any loose ends, and decide what your first job is going to be in the morning can really help – it gets you ready for the next day but also tells your brain that you’re finished for this one.
As long as you know what you’re doing and where you’re going, feeling more in control shouldn’t be too hard.
