Make Time for More Fun in the Sun
Get Productive!
Maybe you work a 9-to-5 job that’s really a 9-to-8 job, or maybe you’re a student bogged down during your hardest term. Regardless of who you are or what you do, one thing is certain: the sun is out, and you don’t want to be stuck inside working when you could be outside soaking up the last few rays before it disappears at dusk.
So, how do you make more time in your busy schedule for a little more fun in the sun? The answer lies in your productivity: maximize it to the best of your ability, with the help of these useful tips.
• Follow a task list. Task lists increase our productivity by reducing the amount of time we spend hemming and hawing over what to do next. Each morning at work or school, outline your list of responsibilities and projects, and force yourself to put the hardest items at the top of your list. Since our motivation decreases exponentially as the day wears on, bite the bullet and get the tough stuff done first – the rest of the day will be a breeze!
• Challenge yourself. Work against the clock and try to see how quickly you can get each task done. Now, that doesn’t mean we think you should rush – just don’t meander! A good strategy for this is to go through your list in the morning and make a fair estimate on how long you expect to take on each project. As you work through your day, try your hardest to hold yourself to those estimates. The goal is to get yourself out the door by 5 with no extra work weighing you down. You can do it!
• Plan in advance. If you know that it’s going to be a beautiful day on Thursday but that you have deadlines on Friday that need to be met, challenge your inner procrastinator and tell yourself that your deadline is Thursday. Getting projects out of the way early not only improve how you feel about yourself, but they also allow you the flexibility to do what you want on what would’ve been the due date!
It might not feel like it sometimes, but there are ways to find more time to catch the sun before it sets – all it takes is a little commitment, planning, follow-through, and sunscreen!
