12 ways to have the most productive morning ever

Are early birds generally happier than night owls?

That’s the conclusion of a 2012 study published in an American Psychological Association journal, Emotion. Among the 700 adults asked about their emotional state, health and preferred time of day, self-professed “morning people” reported feeling happier and healthier than night owls. Between that research and the fact that a standard workday is conducive to the schedules of morning people, it stands to reason that they’re also the most productive employees in the office. Want to be like them? These are the tasks that high-functioning, productive employees complete before lunch:

1. Make a work to-do list the day before.

Many swear by having a written to-do list, but not everyone agrees on when you need to compose it. According to Andrew Jensen, a business efficiency consultant with Sozo Firm in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, the opportune time to plan a day’s tasks is the night before. “Some people like to do the to-do schedule in the morning, but then they might have already lost office time writing it out,” he says. “It helps to do that to- do schedule the night before. It also will help you sleep better.”

2. Get a full night’s rest.

Speaking of sleeping better … lack of sleep affects your concentration level, and therefore, your productivity. Whatever your gold standard is for a “good night’s rest,” strive to meet it every work night. Most health experts advise getting a minimum eight hours of shut-eye each night.

3. Avoid hitting snooze.

If you continually petition for a few more minutes of sleep, you may fall behind on your morning prep and arrive late. “Anyone can make morning their most productive time,” Jensen says. “It could be that for the entire week, you set your alarm clock a little bit earlier, and you get out of bed on the first alarm.” While you may struggle with this routine at first, soon, Jensen says, you’ll be “waking up with all your energy and accomplishing the things around the house you need to before going to the office.”

4. Exercise.

Schedule your Pilates class for the a.m. instead of after work. “Exercise improves mood and energy levels,” Jensen says. Not only that, but “there have been studies done on employees who’ve exercised before work or during the work day. Those employees have been found to have better time-management skills, and an improved mental sharpness. … Those same studies found these workers are more patient with their peers.”

5. Practice a morning ritual.

Jensen also recommends instituting a morning routine aside from your exercise routine. Whether you opt to meditate, read the newspaper or surf the Web, Jensen says “it’s important to have that quiet time with just you.”

6. Eat breakfast.

Food provides the fuel you’ll need to concentrate, and breakfast is particularly important, because it recharges you after you’ve fasted all night. Try munching on something light and healthy in the morning, and avoid processed carbs that could zap your energy.

7. Arrive at the office on time.

This one is obvious, right? Getting a full night’s rest and keeping your sticky fingers off the snooze button should make No. 7 a cakewalk. If you’re not a new employee, you’ve already figured out the length of your average commute. Allot a safe amount of time to make it to work on schedule.

8. Check in with your boss and/or employees.

We all know the cliche about the whole only being as good as the sum of its parts. In other words, if your closest work associates aren’t productive, neither are you. Good workers set priorities that align with their company’s goals, and they’re transparent about their progress.

9. Tackle the big projects first.

You can dive right into work upon arriving in the office, since you made your to-do list the night before. Jensen suggests starting with the hardest tasks. “Don’t jump into meaningless projects when you’re at your mental peak for the day,” he says.

10. Avoid morning meetings.

If you have any say on meeting times, schedule them in the afternoon. “You should use your prime skills during the prime time of the day,” Jensen says, also noting that an employer who schedules morning meetings could rob his or her employees of their peak performance, and ultimately cost the company. The exception to this, he adds, is if your meeting is the most important task of the day. “Sometimes you have to schedule a crucial meeting, or a client meeting, in which case you’d want to plan for a time when employees are at their peak,” he says.

11. Allot time for following up on messages.

Discern between mindless email and voicemail checking, and conducting important business. Jensen’s company, Sozo Firm, advises clients that checking their inbox every couple of minutes takes time away from important tasks. Instead, set a schedule to check and respond to email in increments. Consider doing so at the top of each hour, to ensure clients and colleagues receive prompt responses from you.

12. Take a mid-morning break.

Get up and stretch your legs. Or stay seated and indulge in a little Internet surfing. According to Jensen, it’s actually good to zone out on Facebook and Twitter or send a personal text message or two. “You should take 10-minute breaks occasionally,” he says. Just be sure not to abuse the privilege. “The best employees will respect their employer’s time, and the worst-performing employees will find a way to waste time even if the company forbids personal Internet use,” Jensen explains.

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12 Ways to Have the Most Productive Morning Ever originally appeared on usnews.com

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