Maximize Efficiency

The most successful people usually have excellent time management skills and energy management skills. Outsiders might look at them and think, it's so easy for them. What you don't see is behind the scenes planning, preparing, execution.

"Proper Prior Planning Promotes Peak Performance"
"Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance"

This is a quote I heard once from someone in the military and it’s true!

For high performance, proper prior planning is a must, it is crucial. Whether that is in your career, fitness, nutrition, health, faith, for any worthwhile goal, time management, proper planning and preparation yields success.

Now, in the beginning, planning and preparing might be a little clunky, as with any new skill. However, with the time you will become proficient and eventually, it will be easier and turn into a habit. You have to build that skill though, and first, you have to take action. The action comes before motivation. Successful people do things even when they don’t feel like it.

It all starts with planning.

Make time on Sunday to look at the week ahead like your work schedule and the things that you have to do. Time block those in your planner, yes, get a planner! Note the time you need to arrive at work and the duration you will be at work, then take a look at the other commitments you have i.e. training, social events, appointments, bible study groups, church, serving, etc. After you assess your week, think about what would be a good time to prepare food for your breakfast for 3 days, lunch for 3 days. For example, on Sundays, I plan out the meals I want to eat, the grocery list, and then go shopping for all the groceries. I also spend a little bit of time on Sunday afternoon prepping some of the food so that I will have breakfast and lunch ready to grab out of the refrigerator in the morning to stick in my cooler lunch bag to bring with me for the day. Also, if I am working on a Tuesday evening, I will make sure that I either have time Sunday evening or Monday evening to prepare dinner to grab and go to take with me to work on Tuesday. This time planning and preparation ensure you won’t be in a pinch to go get fast food.

Taking a look at the week ahead, scheduling your time, and planning out meal prep as well as preparing some food/meals ahead of time is a great habit and way to maximize your time, work smarter and maximize efficiency.

Some other ways to maximize your time and efficiency for your lifestyle is to get your training bag and work bag ready the night before. This small sacrifice in the evening will maximize your time in the morning for your morning routine i.e. a small sacrifice of time planning and preparing in the evening so you can have maximum quiet time with God, journaling, and meditating in the morning and then getting out the door faster. Most successful people are morning people, they wake up early and devote time to a morning ritual that breeds success. It will look different to each person according to their preferences and their priorities. For me, my morning routine involves coffee, prayer, getting in the Word and journaling.

Set out your gym clothes the evening before; get your pants, shirt, shoes ready, etc
Pack your workbag the evening before: Pack your toiletries, work clothes, laptop, planner, etc
Get your coffee preset to be ready when you wake up or set up so you just turn it ON

Any sort of success comes from good time management skills: make time, plan ahead, and execute.

Cheers to maximizing your time to reach your goals! Let's work smarter not harder. Let's find ways to be more efficient. Sacrificing a little bit of time one day, for more time on another time.

-Charissa

Charissa is a Certified Fitness Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and holds a B.S. in Kinesiology. She also holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration. She is a follower of Jesus, passionate about faith, fitness, nutrition, a lifestyle of total health, coffee, meditating, learning and growing!