There is a reason that I am writing this blog on a Friday. Somedays it is just harder to stay focused than others. One of those days is Friday. Your brain is tired from being overworked all week, you haven’t slept enough, maybe you haven’t accomplished all that you needed to and you’re thinking about your weekend plans. At that point, anything but work is on your mind.
Believe me, I understand the dilemma you’re facing. Luckily there are several ways to manage your time to make Friday a more productive day.
First, make sure you set up on Thursday afternoon extra well, knowing that by the time you reach the office the next morning, you’ll be even more tired and less focused. Set up your veggies and make sure that you accomplish them right off the bat. That way when the afternoon rolls around, at least you have accomplished something.
Secondly, take breaks. Every hour or two, give yourself a ten minute break to keep your tired mind alert. Drink a cup of coffee, take a brisk walk around the building, get some fresh air, do anything to clear your mind. By rewarding yourself with breaks, you will be more likely to finish tasks you start on in a timely manner.
Lastly, if possible, arrive at work early on Friday mornings. If you have been following our time management plan, you will be well set-up for a productive Friday, but likely your co-workers or managers will not be as well set-up. Friday is the biggest day for “fires” to spring up because people are rushing to finish things (luckily the veggie principle keeps us on track!). By arriving at the office early, you can get your veggies done and still have the time to deal with the fires.