In addition to the four keys I just talked about, here are some additional ideas that can assist you in being ready for what’s coming towards you, and also adding to that organization process.
Number one. Prepare your ‘to do’ list for the next day, the night before the coming day. Make your task lists for at home and at work and you will be better prepared for the coming day, and you won’t have to spend time thinking about what needs to be done when you are starting the next morning.
You don’t have to debate with yourself what am you’re going to do first, second, third and so on. You look at your list, and it’s already prioritized. So prepare your ‘to do’ list the night before. Have it ready before the time you are actually starting.
Second, you need to schedule your time effectively because this reduces your stress. If you know it’s going to take you five minutes to do something, then give yourself five minutes. Do not give yourself ten or 20 minutes. Give yourself five minutes.
Third, you need to also take the time to sit, think and plan. When you have your list ready to go, that you know what you’re going to be doing, take a few minutes to look at the list, clarify in your mind exactly what’s going on—then start.
Look at it and sit and think, “Okay, how am I going to kick this off? What am I going to do? I’m going to start on this first.” That calms you. It has a quieting effect on your mind and your body, when you sit for just a moment to reflect on what’s coming up.
Fourth, use an organized filing system. Have a master list for all of your files so you can easily find what you need. This is true whether it’s in your computer or in your filing cabinet. Use an organized filing system. Have a master list for where things are.
If you have a dozen different Web sites that you go to again and again have a master list that you can go to that connects you so you can easily find these. Instead of having to thumb through everything you have an organized system that has everything listed out and alphabetized.
Fifth, find your prime thinking time. Some people are sharper in the mornings. Some people are more so in the afternoons. And there’s even a group that does better thinking at night. I think most college students fit in that last category, at least many of them do.
So find your prime thinking time because that’s your creative time. If you know your brain is just ramped up and ready to go first thing in the morning then do the creative things, or those things you need to get done fast and can blitz through.
If morning is your creative time then put off doing regular chores like reading emails. Put off reading until another time when your brain is a little less on top of its game. Creative thinking needs to be done at your prime thinking time. We all have one. Figure out what yours is.