5 Tips For A Successful Work Week

How you start your week is so KEY to creating momentum and getting into that magic zone of productivity.

If I start my week unprepared, then I’m constantly playing catch-up.

Here’s 5 of my best tips for having a successful work week… which will optimize your productivity… and help you get shit done.

#5. Make A Weekly To Do List

I make an overall list which is important stuff I have to get done by Saturday.

I then break it down day by day, so I it’s not a massive list that’s overwhelming.

Here’s a simple hypothetical example to show you what I mean:

To Do Week of Sept 29th

-Business calls Monday 12 pm – 6 pm

-Take car to mechanic Tues to get brakes checked

-Gym Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri (1 hour min)

-Seminar on Wed Oct 1st 6 pm – 9 pm

-Get manuscript edited.

-Contact production company for travel video

Now that’s just a sample list, but then I break it down from that into each day, so the work is evenly spread throughout the week and I don’t wake up on Friday with a ton of shit that hasn’t gotten done.

I swear by lists as I’ve written about before, because they are essential for compartmentalizing your life… and helping you be disciplined and successful.

#4. Eliminate Distractions

One of the keys to getting into the zone where you are getting massive amount of work done is by eliminating distractions.

A distraction is ANYTHING that’s pulling you away from completing your list.

It could be social media, talking with your mother for hours, or even girls.

Learn how to ignore phone calls, put your phone on silent and focus on YOU.

If people really need to get a hold of you and it’s something very urgent, after calling they’ll send a text message.

You can lose tons of time just talking on the phone about mundane shit that has no real effect on your life, so learn to say ‘no’ to a TV show, a phone call that you know is going to drain your energy or anything else that distracts you completing your list.

#3. Combine Tasks

Let’s say based on that hypothetical list in point #5, that you know you have to take your car in on Tuesday to get the brakes checked.

If you know you’re going to be at the mechanic’s garage for a couple of hours, then write in on your Daily List what you can do while you’re waiting for your car to be checked out.

I do this constantly.

If I know I’ll have some ‘spare time’ when doing one task, then I’ll schedule in something I can do productive so I’m killing two birds with one stone.

#2. Cut Out Busy Work

Just because you’re being busy, doesn’t mean you’re being productive.

Know the difference.

I’ve met people who were constantly ‘busy’, but with bullshit.

Make sure that what you’re doing everyday are small steps on a MUCH bigger goal.

Being busy for the sake of JUST being busy… can be just as wasteful as watching re-runs of the Simpsons for 5 hours straight.

#1. Make A Weekly Theme

This is something that I’ve NEVER written about, but I find it to be very helpful as a through-line, or objective for the week.

A theme is essentially a catch-phrase for the week.

Example:

Week of Sept 29th

Theme: Getting Back On Track

I then write down a quote about getting back on track or staying the course.

I then read that every morning BEFORE I look at my list.

This serves as a sort of guide and reminder of exactly WHY I’m doing… what I’m actually doing… all week and helps keep me motivated.

You can make the theme whatever you want, but base it on something that will inspire you for the week.

Let’s say you’re starting an intense workout program to get in the best shape of your life.

Then your theme could be 300 as in the 300 the film about the warriors who are in incredible shape.

This puts a mental picture in your head which will help motivate you because you have an idea of the end goal.

I find themes to be incredibly helpful when planning my week.

Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Until next time. 

Your man,

-Elijah “The Realist”

P.S Get more out of life here.