Tips to be More Energetic and Productive.

In 2021 my life needed a drastic overhaul. I wanted to be more energetic and productive! More than anything I wanted to start up a blog, but had no idea how and where to begin. The only thing I knew for certain was that I had to elevate my energy so that I could become more productive to create the life I wanted.

After trying out several strategies; from self-help books to internet searches and YouTube videos (no, I’m still not good at meditating on the floor), these were (and still are!) the tips that stuck and really elevated my life.

Now that 2022 is rolling along, I’m confident to share my best tips to be more Energetic and Productive with you. I hope some of these tips will help you too!

1. Start the day with a clear intention during the first 5 minutes after waking up.

Your critical voice is still sleepy first thing in the morning when you wake up and right before you fall asleep. Why not use the opportunity to blast your critical voice with a clear intention right before it starts dictating your day?

I’ve saved a bunch of videos in my YouTube ‘watch later’ playlist so I’m always ready to just hit play. The moment I wake up, one of these soothing recordings are ready to help me meditate, wake up peacefully and start my day right with a motivating intention.

2. Reprogram your subconscious mind with positive affirmations or a motivational program while you are getting ready for the day.

Fill the silence with some positive vibes while you are showering, doing your makeup, getting dressed or making the bed!

At first it felt silly to repeat things like: ‘I am beautiful. I am successful,’ etc., but slowly I started to believe the affirmations more and more. I’ve been using this handy JBL waterproof speaker in the shower. What a joy!

Positive Affirmations have really shifted my mindset so I want to share these ones that I mostly listen to below.

My other favorite motivational channels include Women of Impact (Lisa Bilyeu you rock!) and School of Greatness.

3. Make your bed!

Our outer world reflects our inner world. Making your bed is a little thing, but you will feel so nice and in control every time you see your perfectly made bed and when you know it is inviting you for a good night’s rest at the end of a productive day.

4. Get dressed properly even if you have nothing planned for the day.

I learned this tip from my grandma. Every day until she was well into her 80’s she would still wear her ‘beach bronze’ stockings, a proper dress and cardigan and a bit of powder. She was always ready to receive guests or go out at the snap of a finger!

Very often unexpected errands have come up that I’ve put off for the next day because I was too lazy to get out of my sweatpants or put on a bit of makeup. Since I started to change this habit, my life has changed too.

If you’re dressed well and ready to go, you will automatically feel more confident and productive to tackle anything that comes your way.

5. Take a 10-20 minute power nap during the day.

Health benefits includes improved memory and better logical reasoning.

If you can lie on a yoga mat or on the floor and connect with the earth even better! Alternatively sit in a park or in your garden. Take your shoes off and connect with the earth. This grounding exercise will energize you!

While I take my nap I usually like to listen to this video. It always refreshes me and I hope you might like it too!

6. Take time out when you get stuck with a project but don’t give up for the day!

I learned this tip while writing my first children’s chapter book. Sometimes I’d just give up entirely for the day when I got stuck. I’d promise myself to get back to it the next day, but then the next day would turn into a week or a month!

Somewhere I read about redirecting your focus for a bit. Now I like to watch a quick episode of ‘Big Bang Theory’ or drink a cup of tea outside, before I carry on with my project again. Give it a try and see if you will get back into your project with renewed energy!

7. Take panoramic vision breaks throughout the day.

I learned this from neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman. If you feel yourself getting tired and stressed while doing focused work, take a break and stare off into the distance. Panoramic vision (optic flow) helps your mind to relax and turn off the stress response.

8. Remember: ROI

Thinking in terms of Return on Investment has really helped me to save my energy. Now I spend energy and time on things that will pay off instead of mindlessly scrolling on social media, wasting time on useless activities for the sake of killing time or spending time with people I don’t like.

You will feel energized and productive if you know your actions will give you some return on the energy you’ve invested in your health, emotional, financial and spiritual life etc.

9. Shower at night to cleanse off the day’s energy.

I learned this one from my therapist as well as other yoga teachings. Negative energy must be washed off at night before you go sleep. After interacting with ‘difficult’ people, wash your hands and let cool water run over your wrists. Place a cool wet hand on the back of your neck as well. It works wonders!

Bonus tip from India: Sleep in cotton or natural fibers as synthetic materials are believed to drain your energy.

10. Drink less alcohol.

I stopped drinking alcohol completely for 18 months, and cannot overemphasize enough what a game changer it was for me to rocket my life into the next level. Taking a break from alcohol helped me to gain extreme clarity of mind, which really helped me to be more productive.

More Resources:

• The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business-Charles Duhigg
• Switch: How to Change Things When Change is hard- Chip Heath
• Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength- Roy F Baumeister
• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success-Carol S. Dweck
• The unexpected joy of being sober-Catherine Gray
• This naked mind-Annie Grace
• Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World- William H. McRaven
• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing- Marie Kondo
• Atomic Habits: An Easy Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones- James Clear

Dear readers, I sincerely hope one of these tips will be of use to you if you are looking for ways to be more energetic and productive.

If you liked this article perhaps you might also enjoy How to be more social or Books to help you Change your Mindset, Change your Life!

Thanks so much for dropping by. If you have any questions or comments, please drop me a line in the comment box below or send me a postcard! I love postcards!

Sincerely,

Elaine