PREP, PLAN, AND PROSPER: 3 WAYS TO BE YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE SELF

 

Productivity – it’s something we all struggle with at times.

 I find myself most productive when I’m organized and have my time well planned out. Whether you’re like me, and are obsessed with organization, or you’re the complete opposite but feeling like you need a little more structure in your life, I’m sharing the top ways I plan, organize, and prepare to keep on top of everything I have going on in my life and be my most productive self! September means reality sets in again and you’re either going back to school or trying to get back into a better daily routine since the summer has killed all of whatever form of stable routine you had. After a good 4 months of taking it easy, it’s time to re-structure, re-organize, and re-energize so you can take on everything that’s coming your way this season! My top ways to prep, plan, and prosper:

Outfit details below!

1. Physically plan out your days:

How much time do we have in a day? How much of our time do we actually use being productive in a day? Definitely not all of it! This is why I SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE, SCHEDULE! By paying attention to time and using it to your advantage, you can get so much more done. Whether you schedule your time in hours, or in days or weeks, and whether you write out your schedule in a hard-cover day planner, a flat lay calendar, or you prefer to use your phone, find out what suits your need and stick to it! Time is so precious in our busy lives, which is why it is so important to make the most of it!

• WHAT I DO:  I like having my plans, dates, and deadlines written on paper. It’s calming for me to write out my days ahead of time on paper where I can visually see everything. But I also use Google Calendar and sync it to my phone so I can add things in when I’m on the go! Google Calendar is the best because you can schedule things with other people who also use it, and it automatically syncs to both of your calendars. Making plans = so easy! I also love the drag and drop feature. If you schedule an event for a Monday, but realize its actually Tuesday, Google Calendar lets you drag it over without making a brand new entry. These tools help me to understand timelines of what I have going on, and where I can fit other tasks in without overloading myself. Not only do I schedule exam dates or meetings, but I also include things as simple as coffee with a friend, or when I’ll be releasing my next blog post. This allows me to better plan for upcoming weeks, as I can easily see how much time I have free to work on that paper due next week.

2. Prep your meals for the week

I’ve realized the importance of putting time into planning for your meals if you want to follow a good routine. Whether your goal is to eat healthy, or save money by not eating out, prepping meals is key. Everyday, I’m either at school for classes, or I’m at work so I ensure I have a packed lunch everyday of the week. I make it a point to not ever buy lunch unless it’s for a social reason – going to out with a friend or with co-workers for two reasons: to ensure my lunch is always healthy and nutritious, and to not waste money. So with that, I need to have lunches prepared for 5 days of the week.

• WHAT I DO: On Sundays, I make sure my fridge is stocked with all my basics: spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, bananas, grapes, frozen fruit, greek yogurt, peanut butter, tuna, chicken breast, and almonds. I then go home and wash and cut everything so I can eat then when I want, and I cook up multiple chicken breasts to use throughout the week. I rotate between spinach salads with chicken, chicken quinoa veggies, or chicken black beans avocado (as you can tell I like chicken)! This makes it so easy to be prepared for the week, and allows me to not have to worry about making an entire lunch for the next day when I get home late in the evening after a long day as I can just throw a salad together with my already prepared ingredients.

3. Set up a work space

Whether you have your own office, a desk, or just a laptop, it’s so critical to have a clutter free space to get down to work in. It doesn’t matter if it’s working, studying, blogging, or whatever else you focus on, you’ll be much more productive and at ease when you know you have a set space that you’re happy in, and that will allow you to do your job productively in.

• WHAT I DO: I have a desk in my room and I’ll admit it gets full of papers, books, and other junk fairly quickly. Every so often, I’ll go through all the stuff I have on it before I start whatever task I’ll be working on. I sort what I need, throw out what I don’t, and put things away in their proper spots. This not only cleans up my desk, but it actually cleanses my mind and allows me to better focus on the task at hand. I also like having a little bit of inspiration around me, So I like to keep my favourite candles, photos, and quotes surrounding my space for a bit of extra happiness. Bulletin (inspiration) boards can be a good way to compile all those little trinkets and significant items!

Cardigan: Joe Fresh | Camisole: Banana Republic | Jeans: Old Navy | Mules: Calvin Klein

How do you keep on top of all the craziness in your busy life? What do you wish you were more on top of? Let me know in the comments!

ABOUT THE OUTFIT

Fall will soon be in full swing, so I figured I better start prepping my outfits for the change of seasons ASAP! I found this steal of a deal of a cardigan from Joe Fresh the other week and I am in love! It was just $29 and is so comfy and cute. I wanted this to be a little bit slouchier rather than fitted, so I sized up to a small instead of extra-small because I’m all about comfort during the colder seasons and this length and looser fit will be perfect for layering. It comes in black and grey as well, but I had to have it in this jade-emerald because jewel tones are everything now that the colder weather is (soon) upon us. I paired it with a super simple white cami v-neck underneath, and a pair of black jeans. With this casual look, I opted for my latest obsession, studded leather mules by Calvin Klein. I’ve been loving all mules and loafers lately, and I especially love how this style really takes your outfit up just a notch with the gold detailing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, GOLD + BLACK = ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

SHOP MY STYLE: