Life Hacks: Getting it All Done

When you feel like you have a lot on your plate, keeping up with your business and your social life can be tricky.

BUT, don’t worry! If you follow a simple productivity plan it’s easier to time manage and stay on top of things.

 So, we’ve put together an easy guide to make sure you don’t get left behind planning wedding after wedding…

Okay, so I may have stretched the truth a teeny bit if I put you understand the impression there was a magical way to get EVERYTHING done.

In fact, the first tip is quite the opposite…

1. You need to accept that you can’t get everything done

   Being realistic is key. Think about if it’s really feasible to cram all of those things into one day? If it’s not likely to happen, there is no point scheduling it in as if it is.

   TIP: try the FIVE FINGER technique…and no, I’m not encouraging to rob a liquor store.  The FIVE FINGER technique is only allocate five major tasks for you to accomplish in any given day.  One for each finger.  If you try to do more than five things in a day, you’ll likely burnout over time.  Focus on the five and see how easy it really is.

2. Time management is also about energy

   Even if you’ve scheduled things in to happen all hours of the workday, if they are particularly demanding of your physical or mental energy, it’s unlikely that you will be able to complete them all to the best of your ability. Consider this before making your commitments.

   TIP: try the 55-5 trick…work 55 minutes on a task, head down, no distractions.  Shut off Facebook…just focus on the task at hand until it’s done.  Set a timer and when the buzzer rings, get up, stretch, make a cup of coffee and take a 5 minute break.  Rinse/repeat, until you’ve knocked out all the tasks on your to-do list today.  That 5-minute change of pace does WONDERS to your level of productivity.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

   Sometimes tasks are completed most effectively when they are a team effort.  Getting someone else involved with a task you have planned also takes some pressure off you.  Cue the apprentices!

   TIP: Here’s where your team can really step up and help you take things off your plate.  Check out our EMPOWER THEM blog series for ideas on what tasks you could delegate to your interns that’ll give them hands-on experience and save you time.

Now you know how to plan effectively, but actually being productive and completing the tasks in a timely manner is a whole other kettle of fish.

Check out this great mindmap on how to stay focused in the age of distraction.

Visit our blog regularly for more tips in our LIFE HACKS blog series, which will help you save time, minimize stress and get it all done like a world-class wedding planner!