I’m a big believer in the saying “productivity has less to do with how you use your time, and more with how you run your mind” and this particular quote has always stuck with me. There’s a big difference between being ‘busy’ and being ‘productive’ - but the problem is, when you have a lot on your plate, it can be really hard to stay focused and in the right mental mindset.
Whether you’re trying to juggle school, uni, dancing, rehearsals, extracurricular activities, family time or social events, the key to staying on track is not only creating but also sticking to a realistic routine that will fuel productivity from the inside out. Here are a few things I’ve implemented each day, which have formed my daily routines, to help me stay productive.
Establish a grounding morning routine
This one for me is non-negotiable, and I think this is the single most important part of my day. While it can be tempting to reach for your phone when you first wake up, the stress of emails and never ending notifications isn’t a calming way to wake up and often puts me in a stressed headspace before I’ve even gotten out of bed. Instead I like to start my morning with a big glass of water (I sleep with my CD waterbottle beside my bed so I can hydrate my body first up), a few minutes of gentle stretching followed by a shower. Once I’m feeling awake and energised I’ll cook myself a healthy breakfast and sit down to write down 3 things I’m grateful for in my CD Planner. It sounds simple, but these small morning tasks set me up in my best headspace, and without that I wouldn't be able to get through everything I need to throughout the day.
Write a 'to-do' list
Once I get to the office the very first thing I do is write a ‘to-do’ list. Some days there are so many things on that list that I have no idea how I’m going to get them all done, but the simple act of writing them all down then allows me to arrange them in order of priority. This means I can see what tasks can wait until tomorrow, which tasks I can outsource to my team and which tasks I need to make time for today. I absolutely love lists (I write them for everything) and I get so much satisfaction crossing a task off that list when it’s completed! You can even write a weekly list of Claudia Dean App exercises you want to complete throughout the week, so you break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks, so you don’t feel so overwhelmed.
Take Regular Breaks
This is something we all need to be reminded of from time to time and it’s so important whether I’m having an office admin day, filming exercises for our Claudia Dean App or researching for our latest collection. Think back to a time where you were working so hard on trying to really nail an exercise, and you were practising for hours on end. After a while, your body will start to slow down, which can be really frustrating. These are the times you need to remind yourself to step away for 10-15 minutes and have a break. In times like this, I love to go for a walk around the block to get some fresh air or listen to a 10-minute meditation, which both really help to clear my mind and calm my body.
Remember, a consistent routine will help you create consistent progress, which is why I encourage everyone in the Claudia Dean Community to establish their own daily routines.
Big changes don’t happen overnight, but remember that success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out…
CD X
