3 Ways to Automate Your Life and Be More Productive
The decisions you are making in real time is killing
your ability to be productive and get things done. I’ve found that by
making small changes in my daily routine I could boost my productivity
many times over. The fewer decisions I make “in the moment ” the more
likely I am to get things done. That means more time for the things and
people I love.
If you automate certain
tasks so that you don’t have to think about them, you’ll be less
stressed and find that they actually get done. This makes you
more efficient resulting in a day that flows more smoothly. For
instance, if I take my gym clothes out the night before, I get to the
gym with time to spare. No more procrastinating or dropping the
ball because I “couldn’t find anything to wear”
Many people
think of automation as a process done via computer software. The truth
is that you can automate any routine by simplifying it. This ultimately
saves you time and brainpower. You can use those brain cells for more
pressing matters like crossword puzzles and fun DIY projects.
Here are the top 3 things I automate or pre-plan in order to lower my stress levels and be more productive:
Meals
This is by far the chore that gives many of
us, especially busy moms, the biggest headache. I’ve done meal plans in
the past but never fully committed to the process. They were always an
afterthought. At the suggestion of a friend, I picked it back up along
with utilizing my crockpot. It’s been a total game-changer for me. It
takes 5 minutes to crank out a meal plan and jot down a quick list of
items I need from the grocery store then I stick it on the fridge as a
reminder. Done and done!
The rest of the week I know exactly what’s
for dinner. I’m able to use those fine critical thinking skills
elsewhere or I can take a load off and relax.
Another timesaver is buying healthy food
items that are pre-prepared for breakfast and lunch. However, the
biggest time saver by far is meal prepping. Prepare your weekly lunches
or dinners on Sunday and freeze them. If you know you’ll have a busy
week ahead filled with late meetings and activities, then meal prepping
to the rescue! There are a ton of recipes on Pinterest for this sole purpose so you can save that time as well.
Bills
Another way I free up valuable time and
headspace is with automatic bill pay. I use auto-pay to pay all
recurring bills. It’s a great way to set it and forget it. Many people
are leery of auto-pay because they like to view their bills first. I
understand because I used to share this sentiment, however, if a bill
doesn’t fluctuate take advantage of auto-pay. You may even get a
discount!
In this digital age, you can pay bills in
minutes by going online and picking the date you want bills drafted. I
highly recommend this as an item do knock off your to-do list. Use that
hour to grab coffee with a friend!
Clothes
Another task that will save brainpower and
frustration is picking out your clothes the night before. It’s an oldie
but a goodie yet something most of us hate to do. The key is having the
discipline to prepare your clothes the night consistently. It can
positively affect your entire morning since it’s one less decision you
have to make in the moment. Who wants to spend the morning haggling with
kids or going through a million pair of pants?
If you have older kids, have them choose their own clothes on Sunday and iron
them. I don’t have experience with older kids so this may come with
some struggle but if you can get them to pitch in you’ll thank me
later. There are even tools such as closet
organizers that allow you to sort clothes by the day of the week. If you
can remove this chore from your daily routine, you’ll have more time
and energy each day for the things you enjoy.
I hope you’ve thought about some tasks you
can streamline to make your life more enjoyable. Your time is better
spent on hobbies, work, and family.
What tasks do you automate or preplan that help you be more productive ? Leave a comment below!
Nia Hughes, is a freelance writer and digital marketer at Nia On Social Nia’s specialty is copywriting and content marketing for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the health and beauty industry
Read more at http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/3-ways-to-automate-your-life-and-be-more-productive/#cTdexUC0uzfxedsx.99
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