1. Get up Early

One of the best ways to have a more productive day is to get up early instead of sleeping in. I am a night person and love to sleep in whenever I can. However, I have found this to be an unwise use of my time when I need to get things done that day. Getting up early allows you to be more prepared for the day, less anxious, and allows you more time to wake up and eat a nutritious breakfast!

2. Get a Good Night's Rest

It's best to get a good night's rest if you plan on being productive the following day in any capacity. Without adequate rest, your mind is less focused, your energy drops and your ability to be productive goes down significantly. Sleep is also crucial for your physical health- I notice that when I'm continuously sleep deprived, I contract colds easier and they tend to also linger. Sleep is vital, so make it a priority to get a good night's rest each night!

3. Fully Focus on One Task at a Time

To avoid feeling completely overwhelmed with your daily tasks, focus only on completing one at a time. There's no need to overload your brain with a million and one things at a time. Create a list of priorities and start from the top. If you try to complete more than one at once, you'll just end up stressed unnecessarily.

4. Set Realistic Goals to Reduce Anxiety

After making your list of priorities, set realistic goals for yourself that you know you will accomplish. That might mean your list is shorter and that's OK! The point is that you get done what you need to get done without feeling like you're immersed in chaos.

5. Do LESS Each Day

The point of being productive isn't the number of items you can check off of a list but the quality of work behind them. Completing what needs to get done without being intentional is a waste of time because if leaves you with the knowledge that you could have done better. If something can get pushed to tomorrow's list to give you more breathing room, then do it! You'll be prouder to put your name on the day's work when you're fully engaged.

6. Start Each Day the Same Way

For a lot of people, myself included, routine is key for being productive and feeling more organized. Start each day the same way for a while and see what a difference it makes. Perhaps the very first thing you do after waking up in the morning is drink your coffee and do a little reading; maybe it's yoga or prayer- whatever it is, be consistent with it so that you're ready to dive into the day's tasks.

7. Remove Distractions but Take Breaks Every so Often

It's also important to remember to remove distractions when you're working on something that needs to get done. That might mean placing your cell phone or another electronic device in another room so you're not tempted to use them. Just as important as removing distractions, it's also crucial that you give yourself a break every so often. Breaks are really important. If you're studying for an exam, your mind needs a rest to absorb information more efficiently- no one is at their best when they're staring at a page for hours on end. If it's something more mindless like cleaning the house, a break is also good for your own sanity!

I have found that I am the type of person that gets easily overwhelmed without structure and this list really helps me to be present and focused! What are some of the ways you are a more productive person? Share them in the comments section!