“Prioritize the most important tasks, determine the best way to keep track of everything you need to achieve, and stay on top of your deadlines,” recommends Dena Mason-Zied, DO, a primary care physician with Kettering Health. “Some people prefer to keep a written list of tasks. Others find it easier to track them on a smart device. Setting alarms as deadline reminders can also be tremendously helpful.” Plan ahead Look at your upcoming day, week, or even month. Strategize what needs to be accomplished by what time. “Delegate tasks to others that may be unnecessary for you to complete or better conducted by someone else,” Dr. Mason-Zied says. “Figure out how to divide up your tasks in a time frame that will allow you to complete them on time.” Know your limits People tend to be less productive and make more errors when they’re impaired in some way. Sleep deprivation and fatigue are just as distracting as being under the influence of substances such as alcohol. Stick to a routine to ensure you’re getting adequate rest and sleep so that you’ll be as efficient and productive as possible when it counts. “It’s also important to limit excess stress by not taking on additional responsibilities when possible,” Dr. Mason-Zied advises. “You don’t need to say yes to everyone all the time.” ketteringhealth.org 21 PUT YOUR HEALTH FIRST Talk to your primary care provider about other self-care tips to help keep you at your best. Don’t have a primary care provider? Visit ketteringhealth.org/ primarycare or call 1-888-981-9456 to schedule an appointment. Use conveniences and technology Look for ways that inexpensive services or technology can help you save time, especially on tasks you need to do regularly. For example, you can do food prep for the week on the weekend and store prepared meal items in the refrigerator or freezer. There are even cookbooks and websites designed to help you do an entire month of cooking in advance. Shopping for groceries online gives you the option to pick them up at a certain time or have them delivered to your front door. Dr. Mason-Zied encourages people to use devices such as slow cookers to prepare meals while you work or perform other essential duties. Another option is to combine tasks that require concentration with others that don’t. “For example, you might read documents for work while walking on a treadmill,” she suggests. Take care of yourself Adequate rest is vital to productivity. In addition, proper nutrition and routine physical exercise are just as important. What’s more, your body needs fuel to function. “Proper nutrition, hydration, and circulation enable your organs to do their jobs so you can do yours,” Dr. MasonZied says. “Paying attention to these self-care tools will allow you to perform to the best of your abilities.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzIxMDA=