{"id":48640,"date":"2017-04-05T22:04:42","date_gmt":"2017-04-06T06:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=48640"},"modified":"2017-05-27T08:45:39","modified_gmt":"2017-05-27T16:45:39","slug":"10-tips-maximize-balance-productivity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/10-tips-maximize-balance-productivity\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips to Maximize Your BALANCE + PRODUCTIVITY"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Balance and productivity are opposite sides of the same coin. Our drive to produce can make us feel unbalanced, and our desire for balance can make us feel unproductive.<\/p>\n

So here are 10 tips to maintain both and live more joyfully and ease-fully.<\/p>\n

1. Take Mini-Boosts<\/h1>\n

A mini-boost is an activity you do for a short amount of time that gets you away from your work and screens and gives you a shot of natural energy. Mini-boosts do not involve caffeine, alcohol, or screens of any kind. Mini-boosts give you a second wind, refresh your mind, stretch your body, and occasionally include a belly laugh.<\/p>\n

In fact, studies show that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods.<\/p>\n

Action:<\/strong> Make a list of mini-boosts that feel good and work them into your schedule. Tape the list to your computer or other visible spot to serve as a reminder.<\/p>\n

2. Establish a Morning Routine<\/h1>\n

This little ritual can have the effect of skyrocketing your balance and productivity. The hardest part of establishing one is getting started. Once you get started, you\u2019ll immediately see the effects, and you\u2019ll be naturally motivated to maintain it.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>To get started, take one SMALL action one morning this week. That action can be 2 minutes of meditation, writing in your journal, or setting your daily intentions. Try to find a space in your home that you love, and make that your morning routine space.<\/p>\n

3. Bundle Your Tasks<\/h1>\n

This simple technique has an amazing effect on your balance and productivity. When we bundle tasks we focus on only one category of tasks for a block of time. When we do a variety of different tasks in a time period, it takes more time and energy to complete, and we often don\u2019t complete the tasks as well.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Simply designate a day of the week or month to deal with certain tasks. For example, set aside a day of the week to do your finances, a time of day to write emails, and a block of time for personal errands. This may sound simple and obvious, but try bundling something that you normally tackle in an ad-hoc fashion and notice the difference.<\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t Take Your Technology to Bed<\/h1>\n

You may love your smart phone or iPad, but there\u2019s a time to put those lovely little distractions to bed\u2026and that\u2019s BEFORE you go to bed. Digital technology has the effect of turning your brain ON, not off.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Keep your technology out of your bedroom (that includes the TV). Instead, unwind with a nice book, a cup of tea, some easy stretching, or a bit of meditation. You\u2019ll sleep better and wake up the next morning more refreshed.<\/p>\n

5. Set a Technology Timer<\/h1>\n

Scrolling. We all do it. Whether you scroll newsfeed, tweets, or pins, scrolling can be a nice way to connect with cool people, and\/or it can be a huge waste of time<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Allow yourself a set amount of time during the day to scroll social media, and set a timer. Maybe that\u2019s 5-10 minutes in the morning, afternoon and evening. If you\u2019re on a timer, you\u2019ll be more disciplined to use your scrolling for good, not evil.<\/p>\n

6. Take Time for Rest and Relaxation<\/h1>\n

Countless studies show that most of us are over- worked and sleep deprived. Rest and relaxation come in the form of naps (I love them), a restorative yoga class, walks, or light reading. Sadly, many of us have been taught that taking an afternoon nap, for example, is an indulgence. The truth is there\u2019s nothing indulgent or luxurious about it. If you feel like taking a nap that means you need rest. You\u2019re not lazy, you\u2019re not wasting time, you\u2019re simply tired.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Make a list of activities that you find restful or relaxing, add one activity to your weekly calendar<\/p>\n

7. Water and Nature<\/h1>\n

To help you with #7, there are two extremely restorative activities that are easy to fit into busy days. The first is water. Submerging yourself in water is extremely restorative to the body. Our skin is our largest organ, so water is both hydrating and replenishing. Second, connecting to nature grounds us and fills us naturally with energy. As we spend more of our days indoors behind a desk, we can suffer from \u201cNature Deficit Disorder,\u201d thus it\u2019s important to proactively carve out time to spend in nature.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>When you\u2019re feeling harried or stressed, take a bath or shower or hit the pool (or lake or ocean). Second, incorporate into your routine time to go to the park or forest for a walk, hike, or bike ride.<\/p>\n

8. Schedule Time for Fun<\/h1>\n

When you\u2019re focused on a goal or have a full schedule, the fun activities are often the first thing to fall off the calendar. The best way to prevent that from happening is to schedule in fun time.<\/p>\n

Action:<\/strong> Brainstorm things that are truly fun for you and add one thing to your calendar. You can do this by signing up for a fun class, getting together with a group of fun friends for a weekly outing or activity, and identifying fun things that you can do alone at home (such as singing, painting, or working in the garden).<\/p>\n

9. Watch Your Thoughts<\/h1>\n

How many times have you said to yourself, \u201cI just don\u2019t have the time.\u201d? That may feel VERY true, but what if it\u2019s not? Hendricks Gay makes a compelling argument in his book, The Big Leap <\/em>that we have the ability to create the right amount of time that we need in a day. Any time you say or think to yourself, \u201cThere\u2019s not enough time,\u201d that\u2019s exactly what you create.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Change your inner dialogue to: \u201cI create enough time to get everything done.\u201d Or, \u201cthere\u2019s always enough time.\u201d See what happens.<\/p>\n

10. Set Intentions<\/h1>\n

This is easy to do and easy to forget. Setting intentions is your way of asking the Universe for help with your to do list.<\/p>\n

Action: <\/strong>Set intentions. For example, if you\u2019re at the grocery store and remember that you have to pay a bill, simply say to yourself, \u201cI intend to remember to pay that bill.\u201d When your days feel hectic, then, \u201cI intend to create a joyful and ease-fu schedule.\u201d When you feel lonely, then, \u201cI intend to attract the perfect circle of friends.\u201d If you\u2019re feeling poor, then, \u201cI intend to attract unlimited abundance.\u201d Once you set your intention, then let it go and allow it to arrive to you when the time is right.<\/p>\n

\n

Allyson Scammell is a certified life coach, accredited certified EFT practitioner, and farm girl turned ex-pat. She believes passionately in your God given right to do work you love. She helps purpose-driven people make a (better) living doing the work they love + feel called to do. For <\/em>practical, unique, and FUN tips on how to make a living doing work you love, then subscribe to her newsletter at <\/em>ShantiPax.com<\/em><\/a><\/span> and <\/em>connect on <\/em>Facebook<\/span>\u00a0<\/em><\/a>+ <\/em>Twitter<\/em><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Balance and productivity are opposite sides of the same coin. Our drive to produce can make us feel unbalanced, and our desire for balance can make us feel unproductive. So here are 10 tips to maintain both and live more … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10885,"featured_media":48707,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32,17,6],"tags":[463,367,2006,66,4639,4629,4640],"yoast_head":"\n10 Tips to Maximize Your BALANCE + PRODUCTIVITY<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our drive to produce can make us feel unbalanced, and our desire for balance can make us feel unproductive. 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