Staying upbeat, focused and productive all week long can be difficult. Especially when juggling a full-time job, errands and everything else you may have planned in a given week. At times you can feel overwhelmed and exhausted from the hectic schedule you have to manage. Don't fret though, as this is completely normal and happens to everyone at one point or another. The key is to take a deep breath, stay positive and find small ways to make your life easier and less stressful. Keep reading to find out some great ways to stay motivated and efficient every day.
Keep a Detailed Schedule
Having your daily, weekly and even monthly events planned out ahead of time can save you from so many headaches. It'll also help relieve you of the stress that you may be forgetting something. Buy a planner, calendar, or use a productivity app to make sure all of your bases are covered. This will also help you plan your free time during the day or week as well. Scheduling 30 minutes for "me time" is just as important as being punctual and organized.
Make a Morning Playlist
Morning wake-up calls every day can quickly become tiresome, especially when you're not typically an early-riser. By making a morning playlist with some of your favorite songs, you'll be more energetic and ready to take on the day. Services like Spotify are great for making great playlists and finding music that you love. Don't be afraid to sing, dance and get moving before leaving for the long day ahead. Play your favorite jam in the car or during your commute, it will instantly lift your spirit up!
Create a Daily Self Care Routine
Every once and a while you need to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect on your personal health and welfare. If you have a stressful career, a family to care for, and a house to run, you may feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders at times. Stress can play out in physical signs such as sudden hair loss, adult acne, or chronic fatigue. Don't let your anxieties control you, and don't be afraid to reach out to your support system or even to a professional therapist if you feel you need guidance. Don't neglect or put off what your body is trying to tell you. Making little tweaks here and there to your daily routine is a great start when creating a self care routine. These tweaks might include finding thirty minutes in your day to exercise, incorporating a shampoo that helps control overly-shedding hair, or finding a skin care routine that targets your specific skin concerns.
Reward Yourself
I'm sure you've heard the old saying "working for the weekend" at some point in your life. So many people come to work every day with this mentality and count down the minutes until they finally get to go home. This is a counter-productive mindset, as it promotes a glass-half-empty perspective that will keep you from succeeding. To help this, be sure to reward yourself for your hard work. Use your lunch break to read a new book (my current read: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck! I have the epub version on my phone so it's very handy) or catch up on your fave Netflix series; go to the park after work with your dog, or schedule a massage during the week to have something to look forward to as a small gift to yourself. Life is full of simple pleasures and there's no reason you shouldn't be taking advantage of them.
Pre-Plan Meals
Before the start of each week, figure out what you will eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. This will take the hassle out of trying to put together meals last minute, allow you to meal prep for yourself and/or your family, and gives you one less stress to worry about. Pre-portioning servings and making healthy foods will also keep you from ordering out during the week as well as skipping meals. Try downloading meal plan apps (I love using Yummly, go check it out!), watching how-to videos on making healthy dishes, or try variations of your favorite recipes to change things up. Find time every week to sit down and plan each meal accordingly to fit your unique schedule. It can save time, money and a lot of stress.
So there you have it! These are just some of the many ways you can consider to help you be motivated. How about you? Any other tips on how to stay motivated all week long? Share in the comment section and I'd love to hear from you!
