One of the biggest changes in productivity came for me when I started studying my calendar. This isn’t taking a look at what you have on your schedule, there are three areas

to focus on:

Study the things you have planned for the day. For the tasks that you regularly plan, look to create efficiencies with your habit machine. For example, I have a 5/20 Rule where I try to schedule five-minute phone calls and keep my in-person meetings to twenty minutes, creating situations where the people that I interact with are ready for our interaction and focused. With a predominance of virtual meetings today, instituting something as minorly different as a 4/19 Rule could allow for more production, creating an extremely effective way to save 4 minutes a day, which results in an extra 3 days of productivity during the year.

Study the white space of your calendar. Be critical of how you are scheduling your day. Look at how can you schedule more of those four-minute calls or nineteen-minute meetings. Consider how you can be more accessible to those who might need you. And don’t forget to ensure you schedule time for activities for your own enjoyment.

Study your sleep. Sleep is not only is a restorative process, but it enhances your immune system, which is of the utmost importance. You need to build a consistent sleep routine that helps restore not only your physical being but your mental health, as well.