3 Tips to Help You Power Through Your Work Week

Starting your week can seem like looking up the slopes of Mount Everest and wondering how in the world you will get up there within a week. It is no wonder that so many start their day with a strong cup of coffee to get the nerves to face the day and the week ahead. But, did you know there is a way you can make your Monday and indeed your week more manageable and productive without having to make any big changes? Here we share with you three simple ways to better go through your work week. Look out for the bonus tip at the bottom!

Itemize and Prioritize Your Task List

You have heard this one time and again, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Well, when it comes to planning your week, that is an accurate assessment of what happens when you fail to plan. You find yourself fighting fires, being blindsided by tasks you did not know were coming due, among other issues. To avoid this mayhem, take some time on Sunday night to plan your week. Go through all you need to do in the week and break it down into tasks. Then prioritize these tasks based on days of the week and then based on the time of day. For instance, of all the tasks due on Monday, prioritize which ones you will work on in the morning and those you will tackle in the afternoon. Planning and prioritizing in this way will help you focus your energy on being productive, not just being busy.

Organize Your Snacks

As much as you may not think about it, what you eat has a huge impact on how each day of your work week plays out. Some healthful foods like vegetables and whole grains will power your brain effectively with no energy dips and nagging cravings while other less-healthy snacks like potato chips, sweets and cakes will leave you with a serious sugar hangover that will make it all that much harder to get through each day. To make sure you are feeding your brain the right foods throughout the week, write up a meal plan for the week, ideally on Sunday morning. Figure out what needs to be purchased and what needs to be prepped. With healthy snacks in place, you can jump into the workweek without trying to wonder what you will snack on all week.

Optimize Your Workspace

Your workspace reflects your mind. If your workspace is messy and cluttered, chances are you will feel like your mind is messy and cluttered. Okay, this is not exactly a scientific fact, but it sure does feel that way. Nevertheless, you need an optimized workspace for you to work effectively. Here are a few things you can try:

• Declutter your desk by removing anything that is not assisting you to work more effectively and productively.

• What stays, arrange neatly in stacks that leave open spaces on your desk.

• Clean your machines. Wipe down your laptop, printer, phone and any other gadget on your desk.

• Put a picture of a loved one or a potted plant to make the space more personal.

• Lower the glare of your screen, so your eyes do not get tired quickly.

Bonus Tip: Schedule Fresh Air Time

For most people working a nine-to-five, getting out of the office in the middle of the day can seem impossible. You get so caught up with work that you hardly leave the building all day. If this is the case, this may be contributing to the week seeming progressively harder as the days go by. Try this instead. Schedule some fresh air time for each day. Pick a time, ideally mid-morning or midafternoon, where you can take a ten-minute break and go take in some fresh air. Breathing in that fresh oxygen-rich air will help you concentrate better when you get back, as well as feel calmer and more grounded.