Tips on starting your working day...
Office Tips

Tips on starting your working day...

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Do you ever sleep in until the last possible minute then jump out of bed, race around your house like a headless chook, and arrive at work barely dressed and belly growling? Well, you’re not alone. But perhaps it’s time to consider a new morning routine – one that will kick-start your day and energise your mind, with or without that mug of coffee!

Humans are habitual people. We respond well to regular routines and habits, because habits help us make sense of who we are and the world around us. The first few hours of any given day have a significant effect on how you will spend the rest of it – that’s why we believe it’s important to establish a morning routine that puts you on the right track from the get-go.

1. Wake Up

This sounds obvious, we know. But in order to truly wake up, you need to give yourself time to wake up. Try setting your alarm half an hour earlier than usual (and changing your night-time routine to suit), and give your mind and body a little extra time to regenerate before jumping out from under the covers.

2. Stretch

Not everyone can get up, get dressed, and immediately run five km’s. But whether you exercise in the morning or not, consider incorporating a stretch into your daily routine!

After lying in bed all night, it’s no wonder we sometimes wake up feeling a little tight or sore. Stretching in the morning can help release any build-up of tension and relieve sore muscles. It has also proven to help reduce stress and soothe headaches. A simple yoga or meditation session can be a great way to stretch your body and calm the mind at the same time.

3. Feed Yourself

You’ve heard it a thousand times before, but we’ll say it again – breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day. Without food, your mind has a hard time keeping up with your body and will barely have the needed energy to tackle the workday. Not to mention that a growling belly is a terrible distraction. Do yourself a favour and give yourself the gift of a healthy meal in the morning! Alternatively, convince your boss to host an in-office breakfast every now and then – you may wish to show him/her our heavenly range of breakfast goods as an excellent reason why!

4. Dress the Part

Whether you work from home or in a professional office space, always dress the part! Getting dressed in the morning should help you feel ready to work – wearing your pyjama top underneath your coat won’t do you any favours. Dressing like a professional (yes this includes brushing your hair) makes you think like a professional!

5. Arrive on Time

Another obvious point, but an important one all the same. Arriving on time, or even five minutes early, allows you to start your day in a calm and stress-free way. When you’re running to get in the door or inventing excuses as to why you’re late (again), you’re hardly thinking about how you can get the most out of your day.

Being late also communicates to others how trustworthy and reliable you are. Consistent punctuality is a great way to stand out from the crowd and make a good impression on your colleagues and managers.

6. Organise your Day

Never underestimate the power of a to-do list; use the first fifteen to thirty minutes of your morning at work to organise your physical and mental space. Clear up any messes, organise that giant pile of filing, and jot down the tasks for the day – from most to least important. By assessing your priorities and shifting your focus to the most pressing task, your productivity will automatically increase. A to-do list also allows you to work on one task at a time, without worrying that you’ll forget about the other five or ten!

7. Check in with your Colleagues

Nobody likes a grump. After you’ve settled in and thought about your goals for the day, take the time to connect with your colleagues. Have a quick and casual ten minute team meeting to check in and discuss everyone’s goals for the day. The likelihood of achieving your goals increases when you share them publicly. Actually talking to your colleagues also makes you a far more likeable person to be around.

8. The experts all agree – it’s better not to check your email first thing in the morning. Checking and replying to emails is the fastest way to feel accomplished, but the slowest way of getting anything important done. Responding to emails can become a huge time-waster and distraction.
If you absolutely must check your email in the morning, try to focus only on those emails that are urgent. The rest can wait until you’re good and ready, and already half-way through the important task that’s due at midday.

9. Deter Distractions

It’s so easy to get distracted by less important things when at work. Especially when you’re completing a task you don’t particularly like. But trust us – the faster you can complete said task, the faster you can move on to planning your next in-office lunch! Put your phone away (and on silent) and close the Facebook, Twitter, and News tabs on your screen. Your productivity will increase and you may even discover that you actually do enjoy your job!

10. Plan a Mid-Morning Break

Nothing motivates productivity like an incentive. Plan when you’re going to get up, walk around, and make yourself a cup of tea – then work towards it. Knowing when you’re going to take a break helps you use your time more effectively. A mid-morning break is also essential to your mental health – it allows you to revitalise and assess where you’re at. Short five minute breaks each hour are also beneficial; stretching your legs and taking a few minutes away from the computer screen will improve your concentration and mood!

We think that one of the best ways to boost productivity in the morning is to surprise your colleagues with an in-office breakfast or morning tea! That’s where we can help. Check out our amazing products here.
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