Yes, I know that you know that getting enough exercise and enough sleep are good for you. Why on earth do I need to bring it up again? What if you’ve been struggling with checking things off your list, moving projects forward at home and work, and generally being productive? Perhaps the latest apps, the newest smartphones, or the fastest technological gadgets are not the answer. What if I were to suggest that exercise and sleep are the answer to finding the right motivation?
Like anything you want to start and maintain, organizing included, you must find the right motivation. Instead of telling yourself that you need to exercise to lose weight or improve your health, getting more done could be the motivation you need.
Move
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, plays a role in our ability to think and focus and be creative. If you get a moderate amount of exercise, you can increase the dopamine in your brain. Moving your body can actually change the way you think. Including movement while learning makes it easier to remember and recall.
Get up from your desk regularly (at least every 60 to 90 minutes). Take a good brisk walk around your office building, your house or walk outside. Run up and down a flight of stairs a couple of times. You don’t have to make it complicated. Don’t worry about starting a strict exercise program or buying a gym membership; just MOVE!
Working longer hours while sacrificing sleep does not help you get more done. I know it feels like a good idea. But the longer you work, and the more sleep-deprived you are, the longer it takes you to complete a task because you work much more s…l…o…w….l….y…
Rest
Getting the required 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night takes preparation. You will need to keep track of what you need to do in an organizational system so you can return to it later. You will also need to plan your schedule so you have time to sleep. If you get the right amount of sleep, you will have more energy right up to the end of your workday. You will also react more quickly and be more able to focus your attention on the task at hand.
And there is nothing like a good night’s sleep to help you solve problems. If you think about an issue you are having at work or with a family member or friend, put that front and centre right before you go to sleep, chances are you will wake up with the answer in the morning.
If you are struggling to write a report, a blog post, or an article for your next newsletter, look at a few ideas the night before. I guarantee you will be able to get up and write that piece the next morning. This technique works for me every single time.
Take care of your brain by getting some exercise and the right amount of sleep. It will help you in finding the right motivation, and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Have you had an experience where this has worked for you?