I run a very disciplined life, but despite my best efforts sometimes life just doesn’t go as planned.

Can you relate? 

When life doesn’t go as planned how do we get back on track? Does your productivity fall off the tracks or are you able to check and adjust efficiently?

Allow me to share what’s worked for me in hopes that it will also work for you…

1.  I try to complete all the things that can get done in less than 5 minutes first. 

>>When I start checking things off my list, no matter how small, it builds much-needed momentum.<<

If your day needs a jumpstart…

• Send that email
• Respond to that DM
• Mail that package

Whatever you can do in 5 minutes or less, stop avoiding it–get it done!

2. Block out “buffer time” in your day.

Let’s be real… When we plan out our days we like to think certain tasks will take a certain amount of time. Perhaps you anticipate that the spreadsheet will only take you 20 minutes to complete, but it ends up taking 45 minutes. 

Don’t beat yourself up. It happens. The problem is if you didn’t schedule some buffer time into your schedule your whole day is probably thrown off. This likely leaves you feeling:

• Stressed
• Overwhelmed
• Defeated

Anticipate for when something takes you longer than you planned so that you can avoid these crippling feelings and most importantly protect your time so you aren’t burning the candle at both ends (that’s not sustainable for anyone). 

3. Know the difference between “Important” and “Urgent”

It’s easy to feel like everything on your to-do list is important and urgent…

• “I have to respond to this text immediately!”
• “This needs to be completed asap!”
• “I have to schedule this appointment now!”

The reality is that most tasks throughout your day are not as urgent as they feel. In fact, more often than not most of your tasks are not urgent. We just easily feel that way when we’re not productive and tasks pile up. 

Let’s wrap this productivity pep talk up with this:

>>I believe that time well spent will elevate you more than you realize.<<

If you say you don’t have time because something didn’t go as planned, that becomes a fact. Instead, I’m going to invite you to change your mindset.

If you currently believe you don’t have time, take a moment to think about how you are spending it.

What would it look like if you made some small changes to free up just a few short minutes each day?

• Take a 10-minute shower instead of 12
• Brew coffee the night before and drink it iced
• Plan your outfit the night before to save 7 minutes
• Plan for the unexpected

What would it look like to change your behaviors to get what you want?

If you want more tips and help on how to make the most of the time you have, check out my Productivity Planner and balance your responsibilities day in and out. It’s even complete with a sample from my daily to-do list! It’s a system I swear by and now it can be yours, too.

Download it >>HERE!<<