Jumpstart Your Morning: Staying Productive

Mornings, for many of us in 2020, look much different than many of us expected them to. We still have to be productive, so here are a few ways to stay energized and focused no matter what! 

Hello friends! We are finally emerging from the other side of the 2019 tax season, and we are seeing a positive light at the end of the tunnel. A lot of what has kept us energized is the hopeful promise that our clients who did file on and around July 15th will be looking at a tax return very shortly. Something that, due to the next unknown aid situation coming from the government, will be a very welcomed financial relief. We know that by this point in the year, the late summer heat and constantly hearing about the pandemic for the last five months has us all bogged down. So, we wanted to change gears with this blog and focus on another aspect of working from home. 

Many of us are still working from home either by choosing to, having to, or the fact that we already did. Finding a groove in working from home can be a daunting task. You have to shift your home around, make some necessary but inconvenient purchases, struggle with separating your space from your workspace, and possibly dealing with our children going back to school online again. On top of all of this, and being more tired than normal, we still need to stay productive, get our work done, and meet our deadlines. The best way to get ahead is to start with a jump start to your morning. So, we wanted to change up our blog content and give you some simple tips and inspiration to get a jumpstart in your day to keep you energized. Let's be honest, we could all use a little inspiration and jump-start to our days right now! 

• Tip #1 Routine 

This tip might sound strange when our normal routine that so many of us worked hard to establish has been turned upsidown. If you can create a routine that works for you and keeps you focused, positive, and on the ball then that is a fantastic way to jumpstart your day. Remember, this will be different for everyone, and will reflect what you and your family need. If you are a morning person, continue to get up early. If not, let yourself take a little longer in the morning. Be forgiving, and give yourself room to discover what works for you. 

• Tip # 2: Set Goals & Make A List

If you have a lot going on in your personal and professional life with no one to keep you on track, there can be a lot floating around in your mind. This gives you plenty of room to forget a thing or two. To save your sanity and to make sure you get everything completed, start by making a to-do list, and write it all down. So much responsibility has been placed upon us while we're working from home. The daily emails, calls, texts, and Zoom meetings still don't help the fact that we are now in charge of constantly keeping ourselves accountable. Start your day by making a list of everything you need to do in every aspect of your life, and continue into the workday. Next, make a set of goals for yourself for the day. Make sure that they're attainable, can be accomplished, and need to be done that day. When making a set of goals for yourself start with a small amount, between 3 and 5. This will allow you to feel productive when you finish them and allows for extra time if anything else comes up in your workday.

• Tip #3: Eat Well & Work Out

You might have noticed that this new way of life has us sitting around way more than usual. Who knew that extra bit of running around at work, running errands, and chasing kids to their after school activities could burn so many extra calories? You don't have to jump into getting yourself into the best shape ever right now unless you what to! But what is important is keeping your boding moving to help it feel better, work out the frustrations of the day before, and get you focused on the day to come. Pro tip? Get the whole family involved in the workout. You also still need delicious and nutritious food to help keep you feeling good and keep your mind focused on the job at hand. There is a time and a place to eat takeout and splurge on your favorite store-bought goodies but, give your gut and brain the food they need to keep you running. Of course, don't forget to drink plenty of water! Coffee can be a very important commodity for many of us in the morning, but it's the H20 that will keep you going all day. 
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• Tip #4 The Night Before

This blog might be focused on jumpstarting your morning, but a lot of what can influence your morning happens the night before. Since we've been home and away from so much of our normal activities, friends, and family, we've been glued to our phones. Try and set a time when the phones are put away for the night, and its time to focus on family or time to go to bed. Those late-night scrolls don't do any good when you're trying to be productive the next day. Start to unwind from your phone and other electronics an hour or so before bed, so you can get a good night's sleep. A really good night's sleep and a true deep rest can restore you and prepare you for the morning ahead. 

We know this is a strange time. Please know that you're not alone in feeling this way. Also, please know we are here to support you and our amazing community of Goose Creek! If you are looking for the best accounting services in Goose Creek, the best tax preparation in Goose Creek, business consulting in Goose Creek, bookkeeping in Goose Creek, or payroll services in Goose Creek, we are here for you! Our phone lines and inboxes are waiting for you. Don't hesitate! Please stay safe, everyone. We will see you soon!