



1. Don't plan out your day.


One, you'll sleep better. As David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, says, "Your head is for having ideas, not holding ideas, and it's certainly not for filing things away. Without exception, you will feel better if you get stuff out of your head." Deciding what you'll do tomorrow -- especially deciding what you'll do first -- instantly relieves a little stress and anxiety.


Try it.


Then, before you step away, set up your workspace (which, if like mine, is simply your computer's desktop) so you can hit the ground running first thing in the morning. Have the reports you need open. Have the notes you need handy. Make sure you have answers to your questions.

Starting your day with a productive bang creates natural momentum -- and provides the motivation you need to move on to whatever is next on your to-do list.

So, yeah: Don't make a plan. Have a plan.

2. Don't make unimportant decisions.


As Gladwell says, "There are so many other things I would rather do with my time than agonize endlessly about those kinds of trivial decisions."


That's why the more choices you need to make during the day, the harder each one is on your brain -- and the more you start to look for shortcuts. That's when you get impulsive. That's when you make decisions you know you shouldn't make.




Automate as many decisions you have to make in the morning as possible, especially when they don't improve your efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Don't forget to exercise.

Research shows that as little as 20 minutes of moderate exercise boosts your mood for the next 12 hours. (Keep in mind "moderate" means an average heart rate of between 110  and 120 beats a minute. So, no: You don't have to go all HIIT on yourself.) 


Which means exercising first thing lets you take full advantage of the "happier" 12 hours that science says follow.

4. Don't forget to include protein in your first meal.


Why? Protein tends to keep blood-sugar levels steadier. Protein tends to help prevent hunger spikes. Most important, research shows dopamine regulates motivation, helping you to "initiate and persevere." 


Granted, knocking out 30 grams of protein might sound daunting, so try a protein bar or protein shake. That's what I do: My first meal is always a protein bar and a glass of water.

Decision already made, protein consumed. Win-win.

5. Don't forget to take the right breaks.


So do this: Split your day into 90-minute windows. Instead of thinking an 6-, 8-, or 10-hour workday, split your day into four or five 90-minute windows. That way, you will have, say, four or five tasks -- or chunks of tasks -- you will get done a lot more efficiently.



Or, if you feel the urge to stay Type A, pick a few productive tasks you like to perform -- and gain a sense of accomplishment from -- and use those for your "breaks."

6. Don't stick blindly to the same morning routine.

Maybe you'll need to wake up a little earlier to take advantage of "quiet time" to complete your first task. Maybe you'll need to wake up a little later so you'll feel more rested.

Maybe you'll need to exercise later in the day after all, or adjust what you eat, or change a few of your other "automatic" decisions.

To be more productive, you can't do what you've always done.

Nor should you slavishly stick to the new routine you create. Every once in a while, take a few minutes to evaluate what's working and what's not. And adjust as necessary.

Because the key is to do what makes you most successful.

Which, over time, is likely to change.

So make sure you change with it.