Have you been keeping up with daily routines for staying productive during the summer?

While breaks from work and routines are important, the days are getting shorter, the weather is changing and fall is in the air. Over the summer, you may have fallen out of your usual day to day routines.

Here are a few simple tips to help make the transition from a summer schedule back into a more structured fall routine without too much shock to your system.  The best way to do this is gradually, if you can.

Establish a reasonable bedtime

Getting enough rest at night impacts productivity on many levels. We can’t focus or function at our best when we don’t get enough sleep. What time will you need to be going to sleep when your regular schedule resumes? It can be really challenging to make the change at first, but it will help your body prepare if you do it gradually.  Move your bedtime earlier by 15 minutes a night until you’ve landed at the time that makes the most sense for you, considering the hour at which you’ll be expected to rise on a regular basis.

Set your alarm and wake up earlier

Move your alarm clock or phone away from your nightstand. If your phone charges in the bathroom, or across the room from where you sleep, you’ll have to get up when the alarm goes off and that will break the “snooze” habit.  If you’ve been sleeping in later than usual this summer, you may do best by transitioning to wake up a bit earlier each day until the optimal time is reached. Take the time to ease into this, if you can.

What do you need to have ready for the next day?

Laying out the next day’s clothing, workout gear or planning and packing meals can be very helpful and will make mornings less hectic. Save time in the morning to spend on more important things, like making sure to eat a healthy breakfast or exercise.

Practice a morning routine that leaves you feeling grounded and energized for the day

Start your day on the right foot. A morning routine can really impact the way the day unfolds. How could you start your day in a way that optimizes your energy for the rest of the day? Next, consider routines that help you maintain energy through the day.

Get your work day off to the right start

Once you’ve completed your personal morning routine, consider how to best launch your work day. Do you jump into emails and start reacting to what others need? Scroll social media to get caught up on everyone else’s life? Procrastinate on your priority work? Follow our suggested way to start your work day that ensure priority work gets done. Make time for what matters most, routinely. When you do that as part of how you start your day, you know it’s going to be a good day!

Create a productive work space

Make sure your work space is clear of clutter and organized. Check out these tips from our “Rock Your Work From Anywhere” guide, and get your free copy. These tips will make sure you are prepared to work productively wherever you are.

We hope these simple tips will help you ease back into your daily routines. Want to get organized and establish productive systems and habits to carry you forward into the new season? Schedule your free, no-risk Discovery Call. We’d love to be a resource to you!