How to be More Productive

Lately, I have been trying to make better use of my time it seemed I never had enough time to do everything that I wanted. So I did some research and tried some things out! Here are some helpful hints on how to be more productive in your everyday life!

Make time your friend

Everyone has the same amount of time in a day. So why is it that some people seem to get so much more done than me?!? They make time their friend. Do the necessary things when they need to be done. If I procrastinate it makes me stressed and time becomes the unconquerable enemy of my life because I'm stressed fighting against the clock.  For me this was spending less time on Facebook and more time doing things I like to do. Somehow I had so much more time to accomplish things when I spent less time on Facebook.  I started timing to see how much time I spent on Facebook, and then I only allowed a certain amount of time surfing Facebook in a day.  Gradually I spent less time on Facebook and more time on fulfilling and enjoyable things.

Work Out

Exercise 30-60 minutes a day has proven, in numerous studies, to help improve focus. When you are more focused you're more productive.  Don't be unrealistic saying okay I've never been to the gym but I'm going to go everyday this week! You're setting yourself up to fail.  Start with a two minute walk everyday, and build up. If you miss a day start again the next day.  I find that missing a day or two is okay.  But three in a row.... a BIG NO NO! For me it works because if I can't work out or I'm not feeling well I don't feel like I failed because I can start again tomorrow and I only missed one day!

Morning Routine 

Productive people more often than not have a concrete morning routine. A few things that are just for them, to help inspire, motivate and get things going for the day.  Now I'm not talking hygiene because obviously that is necessary.These are things that will help you focus and be more successful during the day.  My morning routine recently consists of:

 Yoga/exercise or both

 Prayer

Reading either scriptures or a conference talk

and

Reading from a motivation book currently a basketball book (ironically because my husband loves basketball) called Wooden by John Wooden a famous basketball coach. 

I do this before everything, before I start working on dance choreography, before I make important phone calls, check my email ect. 

Focus

I realized semi-recently that I have a problem! I tend to take on a million little projects and only start pieces of all of them.  This A. makes it look like I've gotten nothing accomplished B. leaves a ton of unfinished projects which is very overwhelming so I don't want to be productive anymore because it's too stressful! Focus on one or two things at a time.  Lets face it as girls, we like to multi task. Why do one thing when I can do 85 right? But finishing those tasks from beginning to end is what is important.  Again with the number three, I won't start a third project until the first two are completed that way they get done and I have the satisfaction of crossing them off my list!

I'm still on the quest to become more productive and organized if you have any thoughts or tips please share them below so everyone can benefit!!

XOXO

I am a Mormon Monday

Yesterday we had the pleasure of being featured on Kimberly's blog Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl. Each Monday she posts about other bloggers who are also Mormon and would like to share their love of the Gospel.

We were grateful to have been chosen for this week's post! Check it out! I am a Mormon Monday: Meet Annie & Torie

If you want to be featured on her blog send her an email at bostonksox@gmail.com.

Annie and Torie XOXO

10 Things to Make You Feel Better

We all get sucked into a cycle of feeling crappy!! Whether we're upset, angry, or just overall in a funk; these are 10 tips to make us feel better and get back to our regular self a little more quickly.

1.Face Mask/Bubble Bath/Spa Treatment

Sometimes all a girl needs is some good old fashioned pampering! For me a nice bubble bath always does the trick. I love to light candles and just sit in the bath.  Sometimes I'll get a chair and put bring my laptop in and watch a movie or TV show while I soak, then I can just relax and escape rather than sitting there letting my mind wander and make things worse. A good book would do the trick too!

2. Listen to a"feel good" playlist or MAKE one

Music can really turn your mood around. You don't have to turn on crazy happy upbeat music if you are feeling really down but even just something soothing and relaxing can change your mood enough to make you feel better. 

3.Yoga

Exercise will release endorphins and make you feel better, but for me yoga is the perfect balance of moving and stretching to re-center my mind and body. 

4.HUGS

I stumbled upon this article and LOVE it!! It's so true! Hugs do so many great things for body, mind and spirit!! 

5.Play with a pet

Studies have shown interacting with animals lowers blood pressure and really can relieve stress! I know when I'm down my cat knows it and always gives me extra cuddles and loves!

6.Sleep

Sometimes the best way to get passed something is to just sleep it off. You're mind can relax your body can relax and sometimes things just look a lot clearer (better) after you've had a good nap!

7.Have a good cry

Sometimes crap happens and sometimes we just need a good cry to let go of all the pent up emotions so we can move on!  Letting it all out can really help with how we are feeling and allow us to feel happy again!

8.Take a walk outside

When we are locked up inside all day it can really effect our minds.  We need to be outside and not feel imprisoned.  Being outside and taking some long deep breaths as you walk can really change how to you feel and quickly!

 9.Chocolate

Like I said earlier sometimes a girl just needs to be spoiled.  Having your favorite treat can really perk up your mood in a hurry!

10. SMILE

Smiling sends messages to the brain saying everything is OKAY!  Which helps release chemicals that make you feel better! And the cycle continues! Smiling can help you start a cycle to feel better quicker!!

Everyone struggles! Know that you're not the only one and that things can and will get better!

BIG HUGS FROM TORIE!! 

Finding Strength During Struggles

I know EVERYONE struggles.  Everyone goes through things they think they can't overcome, and everything seems so hopeless.  But with God all things are possible. Matt 19:26

There are many people who are struggling with something and I thought I would do a post on things that bring me comfort during difficult times hoping the small things that help me will help others as well! :) 

Quotes:
"A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words" -Unknown  
            Friends are the best things through difficult struggles.  I don't know where I'd be without mine.

"Always assume they are doing the very best they know how..."

"Everything will be okay in the end. If its not okay, its not the end"

LDS Hymn #266 The Time is Far Spent
"Be fixed in your purpose, for Satan will try you;
The weight of your calling he perfectly knows.
Your path may be thorny, but Jesus is nigh you;
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose.
His arm is sufficient, tho demons oppose."


"And why should I yield to sin...why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?..." 2 Nephi 4:27

"But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions." Alma 34:41

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold...ye shall have eternal life. 2 Nephi 31:20

"...the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have the power to do these things."  Jacob 4:7

"For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me..." John 16:27


"These things I have spoke unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33


"God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect." (no matter how difficult it may seem :)) 2 Sam 22:33


Turn to Him... He has all the answers... 

Feeding the Mind

Books we've been loving, spiritually uplifting quotes, puzzles, inspirational messages