Welcome to a sneak peek of my day. 

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

You might be asking yourself, "how can a self-proclaimed procrastinator help me become more productive?"

Well, I certainly don't always get it right. In fact, when things start to go downhill, they can go downhill FAST.

While some people focus on how to stay on track, I've realised that learning how to get back on track is what provides me the confidence (and safety net) I need to be productive.

After much trial and error, I've discovered asking these four simple questions helps me quickly identify where I've fallen off the rails and what I need to focus on to get back on track.

I thought I'd share what I consider a good day and a bad day, because believe me, I have my fair share of both.

When I get it right

  • I wake up with the alarm and make my bed

  • I do 10 push-ups and a few quick stretches to get the blood flowing

  • I put the kettle on and make tea, or lemon and hot water

  • I go on my computer to journal and do my morning pages (I like the convenience of having it on my computer, but I admit I don't like being on my computer so early)

  • I review my daily plan to see if there's anything urgent I need to do

  • I go to the gym or workout at home (and listen to a podcast or music while I workout)

  • I shower, have breakfast, and check my messages

  • I shut off my phone and work on my key projects until around lunchtime

  • In the afternoon, I work on client related stuff, putting my phone on silent and only checking at set intervals

  • At the end of the workday I plan the next day

  • I have dinner, clean up, and relax for a bit (or go out to an event or dinner)

  • I read for at least an hour

  • If I'm up for it, I do business related work for a couple of hours

  • Bedtime (I read for about 20 minutes before going to sleep)

Simple? Yes. Easy? Well...

That's where I come in. Let's chat about how I can help you or your team.

Work with me

When I get it wrong 

  • I snooze far past my alarm (up to an hour or more at times)

  • I check my phone in bed

  • I get up and hastily make my bed (the one habit that persists)

  • I put the kettle on to make my tea, or lemon and hot water—and promptly forget to make it

  • I jump straight into my work, with the hopes that I'll get back to my usual morning routine at some point during the day (never happens)

  • I hold off on having breakfast, assuming I will still be going to the gym—I usually don't go, and end up having breakfast around noon or 1pm

  • I deal with client-related work as it comes at me—I rarely refer to my daily plan or task list

  • I have dinner and leave the dishes for later (i.e. tomorrow)

  • I watch "just one" episode of a series I'm following on Netflix...

  • ...three episodes later, I realize I haven't gotten anything else done—but, I can spend an hour before bed doing some work if I start now...

  • ...another episode later I go to bed—Oh well, I'll get it done tomorrow!

     

Want to know how to turn a bad day into a good day fast? 

Complete my Procrastivity Assessment and find out what you need to focus on RIGHT NOW to improve your productivity.

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So, what do I still struggle with?

Staying Organized

I've learned that I'm much better at GETTING organized than STAYING organized, and often find that what works one day, may not work the next. So now, when I find something that works somewhat consistently, I try to deconstruct it and apply these learnings to other areas I struggle with.

My Sleep Patterns

I desperately want to be one of those people who wakes up at 5am and has all their big tasks for the day done by 8am. Instead, I wake up at 8am (yes, I go to bed late), when the rest of the world is already at the races, and I have to be extra diligent to not check messages before I get a few of my key items done.

Distractions

My main culprits—Someecards, Facebook, WhatsApp messenger, and more recently, Instagram. I justify them as "brain breaks" (which are sometimes needed) but they happen far too frequently. Or my brain is just really out of shape!

Eating

EVERYTHING.
Which is really just a form of procrastination and distraction. Or malnourishment.

Balance

I'm an all-or-nothing kinda gal. Just one episode of my favorite series on Netflix? I don't think so. I now ban Netflix during the week and (try to) set similar binary options for things that I know I have little self-control with.