Schedule Success Into Your Daily Routine

By: Tracey Manailescu

Think about your morning routine. Is it conducive to getting work done? There is nothing wrong with catching up on your social media platforms while enjoying a morning coffee. What happened with our family and friends over the weekend, as well as seeing what’s new within the wedding industry and with our colleagues can be quite entertaining. Don’t knock it. In fact, it can be quite enjoyable! But once that coffee is finished should come the transition to getting into work mode.

Have a To-Do List: I believe in the power of lists. They really do work! Have a daily list AND a weekly list.  It can be on your smartphone, whiteboard or written down in your awesome new agenda. It just has to be accessible. This makes it much easier to tackle important (or mundane) things that you just can’t get away from. If it is written down, then it’s much easier to remember and will be top of mind. Take the bigger challenges and break them down into smaller ones. Check them off as you go through them.  This way you can keep an eye on all of the things you accomplished that week (just when you thought it was a complete bust). It feels pretty good, too! I find that starting with the most difficult challenges on your “to do’ list makes it easier to power through to the next (otherwise I am just thinking about that one, anyways).

Stop Talking About How Busy you Are, and Get to Work: Some people love to talk about how busy they are, whether it is a post on Facebook, Twitter or in person. It drives me a bit batty.  Newsflash: Everyone is busy. If you really are feeling overwhelmed, then maybe it’s time to look at hiring someone to help you out a few hours or days a week. The more you focus on how much there is to do, makes it harder to actually get to it.

Have Realistic Expectations of Yourself: Know when you need to take a break.  They say for optimal brain power, you should work for an hour, and take a 20 minute break in between the next hour of work. This might be a bit excessive, but what about a quick stretch, pick up the phone for a quick phone call to a friend, go grab a tea or coffee, or take a social media break (check your instagram and Facebook) or take the do for a walk.

Don’t Allow Yourself to become Side-Tracked: This is my downfall for sure!  It’s like “squirrel” for those of you who have watched “Up” and “The Emperor’s New Groove”. Resist the urge to look into something that can wait until next week. Tackle that bog that is scheduled for tomorrow, finish that timeline, call those vendors, and book that appointment for your couple now.

De-Clutter Your Space: Having a clean, simplified and dedicated work space is really a wonderful thing. When I see my desk and office piled up with boxes, magazines, papers, invoices, etc. I get stressed out big-time. Just ask the lovely ladies that I work with (Kaley and Danielle) LOL! Clearing distractions and clutter from your work space can really help you get into the zone.

Take Time For You (and Your Family): It doesn’t have to mean taking off an entire afternoon or evening. It can be a half hour out of your day. Just long enough to unwind and make a memory. Book a manicure/pedicure, go for coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, go to the gym. It can be playing a board game with your kids, building a snowman, going for a walk and stopping in for a surprise hot chocolate together. Haven’t started reading that great new book you got over the holidays? Start it tonight. Little things are what make the most impact anyways, right?

What are some things that help you get into business mode?