The Productivity Trick I'm Using Most This Week

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Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere wrote last week on some time-saving tips, and after reading her suggestions, I'm truly taking her number five to heart. It's called the Top Two Trick.

Here's how it works:

Identify the top two most important items you have to accomplish each day -- ideally the night before, and put them at the tippy top of your to-do list. Choosing two items that without-a-doubt will be done by the close of the day means your day revolves around accomplishing those tasks. Depending on how time-consuming or resource-draining those two pieces are of your day, you'll probably get other things done as well! This concept really helps focus your day on what is most important. If you know exactly what must be accomplished, at the end of the day you feel productive while minimizing those overwhelming thoughts that often come with a mile long to-do list.

It's a lesson in recognizing that life is not "all or nothing". You can get very important work done in a day even if it isn't every little thing you wrote down in a panic. For an added bonus, pick the most-involved two tasks of your week and place them on Monday or Tuesday where you have more focus and determination to make it through the week. Come Friday, your to-do list seems downright lovely (even if it's still far too long for anyone not falling in the superhero category).

Just in case you're still struggling to see how it works, take my today for example: I have to do a problem set for my one class and study for a final in another. Both will take about 4.5 hours each. While I am getting this blog post in, meeting with a client, etc., those two are taking the cake in terms of focus. I'll know that by the end of the day, I will have completed that assignment and studied for tomorrow's exam. And to be honest, no matter how stressful or long this day will be, I feel relieved knowing they are a sure thing.

+ What do you do to stay on track?

[UP NEXT: fight anxiety with one surprisingly effective tool]

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Setting Smart Goals & a Free Printable!

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So you want to turn your dreams into a reality. They can be something you’ve been working for all of your life or something new that’s fired up your senses and has you energized to work hard hard hard. They also don’t have to just be dreams — finishing up a long-term project, advancing in the company, or getting your house ready to be sold all count as well! Here is where S.M.A.R.T. goals come into play and are oh so important. To help you out, I’ve created a free printable – find it below – that you can download and print off.

So what are SMART Goals? Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals. Below, I (Emily, here!) walk you through each of these pieces. To do so, I am going to use the example of launching my new site (gasp! it’s coming!).

Is this goal specific?

Having a huge goal can be just as stressful as not setting one in the first place. Here, you want to be as detailed as possible. The more information that is pushed into the planning of this goal, the better. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Who is involved?
  • What do you want to accomplish?
  • When? Where? Why?
  • Which requirements and constraints exist?

For example: “I want a new site” is not specific enough and feels quite overwhelming. However, “I want to create a new site that better reflects my brand and business to be released on October 6th” is more specific, defined, and allows me to take actionable steps toward reaching the target goal.

Is this goal measurable?

Establish how you’ll measure your success. How will you know when you’ve finally achieved your goal? Create a checklist of tasks to get done and check off each item as it’s accomplished. To help you, use some of these worksheets from my Staying on Top of it All series.

In my example, some of my tasks might look like: by new site space; find fonts that represent my brand; create my name; design my logo; format imported content, so on and so forth. All of these are smaller tasks that when completed will create my new site!

Is this goal attainable?

When you identify your goals, you develop attitudes, abilities, and skills to reach the desired outcome successfully! We often get caught up in what we think we should be doing instead of going after our core desires. If this a goal that aligns with the future vision of your authentic self?

My new site is an extension of the changes I’ve made in content on the blog, the many avenues my life has taken in the last six months, and leaves space for the adventures to be had in the future. I’m excited by the new name, imagery, styles, yet comforted by the familiarity that will still flow through. It’s going to be great, and I can’t wait. <– that’s what attainability looks like! If you’re setting your goals for what you think you should be doing, stop. Listen to your energy, not your ego. It is there that you’ll figure out if this is something you truly want or not.

Is this goal realistic?

You have to be willing to put in the necessary work to move towards your goal. Are you truly committed? Have you done something similar in the past? What do you need to achieve your goal? Be honest with yourself about your available time and energy and then plan accordingly. To stay inspired and motivated, make your goals challenging enough according to your answers to the questions above.

For example, I’ve already made Bridal Coaching by Emily on the new hosting platform, I’m in love with the work that I do, and while exhausting, creating a new site is fun and exciting for me.

Is this goal timely?

To ensure that you finish your goals in a timely way, anchor them with a deadline and mark each deadline in your planner/calendar/ or worksheet to stay on track for stress-free success!

The new site will be launched on October 6th — that means that no ifs, ands, or buts, the new site will be available for your viewing pleasure on the 6th … woohoo :)!!!

So there you have it:
only the best goals are SMART GOALS |
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, & timely

happy goal setting! Xx.

Curious about answering those questions without having them just become overwhelming thoughts in your head?
Try printing out this worksheet and using it to help:

+ want more help around reaching your goals?
Reach out, and contact me! Xx.

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