5 Life Hacks I Use To Make Every Day Run Smoother

5 Life Hacks I Use To Make Every Day Run Smoother

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you” – Jim Rohn.

Every morning when we wake up we are presented with two choices – to wake up and chase our dreams or to continue to press the snooze button. I personally strive for the former. My days are most productive when I rise early and decide it’s going to be a good day. It’s days like this where I truly feel I’m an unstoppable force!

There have been a few life hacks I’ve put in place in over the past couple of years to make every day run that little bit smoother.

1. ESTABLISHING A MORNING ROUTINE

One of the most impactful practices I’ve put in place is establishing a solid and consistent morning routine. I generally wake up at 5am, meditate, work out at the gym and work on my personal projects and goals – all before my work day officially begins. Establishing a morning routine has enabled me to start each day with intention and purpose. It also helps me to set the tone and foundation for having a positive, impactful and productive day.

2. PREPARATION IS KEY

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin.

One of the life hacks I’ve established is to prepare for the week. I spend 2-3 hours on a Sunday afternoon preparing all my meals for the week. This ensures I am eating good, wholesome food and am saving significant time throughout the work week.

I also spend time some time on a Sunday evening preparing my outfit and laying out my gym clothes for the next morning. This reduces decision fatigue and saves me significant time in the morning.

3. ORGANISATION

My days run smoother because I ensure everything is organised, and that everything has its place. I ensure that everything from my wardrobe to fridge is neat, tidy and organised. This saves unnecessary stress by having to rummage through drawers and cupboard looking for items.

By maintaining a level of organisation, I’m able to ensure that my energy can be put towards the more meaningful, important tasks for the day.

4. AUTOMATION & OUTSOURCING

One of the life hacks I’ve established is automating and outsourcing tasks. I used to try to do everything myself but at some point, I realised that my time was better spent on other things. For example, is it worth spending 3-5 hours cleaning your house, or could you pay someone to do that for you, and use that time building your side business? Services such as Upwork and Task Rabbit are great for outsourcing tasks that can easily be taken care of by a third party.

5. DEEP BREATHING

The power of deep breathing is something which has enabled me to deal with daily stressors in a cool, calm and collected manner. Deep breathing is something which can be applied at several stages throughout the day – first thing in the morning, during a stressful interaction, prior to a big presentation or last thing at night. One of the practices I have developed prior to sleeping each night is the 4-7-8 breathing exercise, which requires the following steps:

• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
• This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

This breathing exercise does help to elicit a feeling of relaxation and calm.

LIFE HACKS TO MAKE YOUR DAY RUN SMOOTHER

What are some of the life hacks or practices you’ve put in place to help your day run smoother? I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions, please leave your comments below!