Not everyone is a morning person. Maybe you don’t get excited to hear that all too familiar beeping that forces you out of bed every morning at 6am. And even though you may be physically awake when you arrive at the office, maybe you’re still mentally checked out. Well, the truth is, the way you start your workday is important to how productive you’re going to be the rest of the day. And even if you’ve managed to conquer the day, that doesn’t mean you can go flying out the door at 5pm either. A smart way to make starting the day a little easier is to set up some good habits before you leave the office as well. Here are a few simple suggestions to help you maximize your productivity without making huge changes to your normal routine.
To Start the Day:
Arrive on Time
This may seem a little obvious, but being prompt not only leaves a good impression, it puts you in a good mindset for the rest of the day. Showing up late, already mentally puts you a step behind and that feeling will linger as you start tackling your work.
Settle In
Take a deep breath as you arrive in the office. Recover from a long commute, or just allow your brain to make the transition from home to work mode. Take some time to yourself or talk to an employee about their night. Either way, don’t let the panic of a stressed coworker or the huge list of emails in your inbox ruin your moment.
Focus on your Mood
Your emotional impression on others as you arrive at work will impact everyone the rest of the day. Have a good attitude even if you’re not a morning person. Especially in a leadership position, it’s important to communicate with your employees and be a physical presence at the outset of the day for a positive tone the remainder.
Check-In with Co-workers
After you’ve had your “you time” and said your hello’s, you can turn to work mode. But before you get started, check in with co-workers who can help turn your focus to what’s on tap for the day. Collaborating with them will keep everyone on the same page as well as motivate you or remind you of things you wouldn’t have thought of on your own.
To End the Day:
Make a To-Do List
Designate the last 20 min of the workday or so to plan out a to-do list for the next day. This will help you know what you have in your schedule, so you’re prepared for any meetings or tasks that require the most attention. It will also allow you to prioritize your most important tasks like an urgent phone call, email, or specific deadline to the beginning of the day when your focus is highest and it’s fresh in your mind.
Organize your Workspace
Make sure when you leave work that your desk is organized, so you’re not coming back to a massive stack of papers the following day. The best way to get yourself stressed out and frazzled the second you get to work is to leave yourself a mess to figure out the next morning.
Check in with Co-workers
Yes, this one looks very familiar I know, but this is important to do at the end of the day as well. Whether it’s with coworkers or your hands-on boss, update each other on what you’ve accomplished throughout the day and what still needs to be done tomorrow. This will help you make the following day’s to-do list and tie up any loose ends on projects, so you don’t put them off for another day.
Leave on a Good Note
Everyone likes to be complimented. As you say your goodbyes, think of something positive to share from the day so you and your colleagues will be happy about what you’ve accomplished. This will keep you feeling fulfilled in your job and give others with a good impression of you to take home with them as well.
Be Green!
Always an important thing to remember, not just at the end of the day but all day long as well. Before you leave, make sure you turn off your lights and equipment, as well as unplug all electronics to save energy. Maybe it’s not the worst idea to also turn off smartphones or email alerts. Shutting this stuff down puts a wrap on the day, so you can be focus on things other than work when you leave the office.