Edify Write

It’s that time of year again when I don’t want to do anything but sit outside enjoying the weather and reading a book without a care in the world. Unfortunately, even though summer is here, I still have work to do. If you’re feeling the same way, this post is for you.

I’m sure you’ve heard many people say that it is not about motivation but discipline, and if we wait for motivation, we’ll never get anything done. This is very true, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to get into good habits and routines. This is why I wrote down six concrete actions you can take to stay productive, and I made a free, printable to-do list and schedule for you.

Breathe

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but take a minute to just stop. Don’t stress about all of your work. Don’t try to distract yourself by scrolling on social media. Just breathe and relax. Then you can identify what your next step is.

Write Down Everything You Need to Do

Now sit down and make a list of all your tasks. This could be a detailed and extensive list, or it could be big-picture ideas. Just make sure you have it written down in front of you, so that you know what needs to be accomplished.

Write Down How Long It Takes To Complete Each Task

Estimate how long you think each task will take you. Don’t stress about this. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how long a task will take. Just guess so that you have a good idea of where you’re at.

Make Time Stamps and Complete the Easiest Tasks First

Now for the fun part. Make time stamps and write down what you will accomplish during each time stamp. Instead of putting your longest and most difficult tasks at the top, however, put them towards the bottom. Put your easiest and shortest tasks at the top of the schedule. This way, you will feel more accomplished when you get those small tasks done.

Don’t Forget to Schedule Breaks

As you make your schedule with your time stamps, remember to schedule five to ten-minute breaks to give yourself a rest. I suggest being mindful of how you use these breaks, though. For example, if you sit at a desk all day, it might be better for you to stand up and walk outside during your break instead of sitting inside some more.

Set Your Phone Aside

When it’s time for you to get to work, if you don’t need your phone for work, silence it or put it in a different room. You’ve probably heard a lot of people say to free yourself from all distractions. Well, to be perfectly honest, your phone might be one of your biggest distractions. I don’t know about you, but when I have my phone near me, I’m constantly checking its notifications and making sure no one needs to contact me. This might seem like it’s only taking a few seconds, but it ends up using a lot of my time. So, if you can, I highly encourage you to put your phone aside to get more accomplished.

Conclusion

Getting tasks accomplished is difficult when you feel unmotivated, but there are actions you can take to stay disciplined. Below is a free, printable to-do list and schedule that you can download. You can use it to organize your time and stay productive.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you did, please subscribe so you can be notified when I publish a new post! Also, be sure to let me know any other time management tips you might have. What motivates you the most? Is there a specific time of day when you get the most accomplished? I’d love to hear from you!