These Monday morning productivity tips can help you start your week off strong. Otherwise, you may immediately feel like you’re falling behind on things or are underachieving compared to others.
I’m a big fan of routines and I want to introduce you to four good habits for making the most of the start of your week.
Recently, I polled my LinkedIn followers on these tactics and here’s how they voted:
- Prioritized task list: 58%
- Early start: 22%
- Don’t over-schedule: 10%
- Avoid meetings: 10%
Let’s further discuss these Monday morning productivity tips, so you can find the best fit for you.
Prioritized Task List
Ever start a week and not know what you should do first? Either first thing on Monday or last thing on Friday, write up a prioritized task list. This is your Monday morning roadmap.
While urgency may play a big role in your list, also consider when you are most productive and at your best. That time frame should be used for your more challenging tasks. Leave simple activities for those times when your concentration is not at its highest level, like before lunch.
Early Start
An early start allows you to complete work in peace and quiet because there aren’t many people around. When you remove interruptions and other distractions, you can become more productive.
I consider this to be a short-term strategy because you are working extra time. If you’re not careful, your workday will continue to grow, which can open the door to burnout.
Don’t Over-Schedule
Of our Monday morning productivity tips, this one may come as a surprise. Some of you may look at a packed schedule, as a badge of honor, showing you aggressively starting your week.
But in reality, your schedule may be more like a stuffed suitcase that has a strained zipper. Being busy doesn’t mean you’re productive.
Leave some free time in your schedule. You may need to block it off in your online calendar, to protect your time from meeting scheduling programs.
Unexpected things will come up and if you have some breathing room, you’ll be able to calmly respond to them. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to get everything done or feel like the quality of your work is suffering.
Avoid Meetings
While meetings may be a necessary part of business, they are known for their inefficiency. Endless debates, lack of focus, and no clear outcomes are common complaints.
If meetings have to be a part of your Monday mornings, try to have them as focused and short as possible. And if the business of the meeting wraps up early, then end the meeting. Don’t feel like you have to keep sitting in the room, as if you’re in some kind of penalty box.
If there’s background information that people need to review, try to distribute it a few days early, so attendees aren’t sitting together reading, instead of discussing and deciding issues.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
