EP21: Productivity Hacks with Holly Haynes

“If you forget yourself, if you forget your ego, then everything disappears because you’re so focused on creating value, you’re so focused on helping others, that there’s no such thing as fear.”

-Daria Vodopianova

Holly is a business strategist turned entrepreneur that believes you can create a career outside your typical 9-5 job with a little planning and a lot of heart.  Holly has 20 years of business strategy consulting experience helping Fortune 500 companies implement their strategic plans.  She decided to trade 50 hour work weeks for controlling her own schedule by launching her own business.  She now is a productivity coach helping women create a “side hustle” outside their job.  She helps them be able to fit it into their day without feeling overwhelmed and eventually have the benefit of owning their own business.

HOW TO SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS

Pick your personal and professional pillars:  Our personal and professional lives overlap so what’s most important to you in both of these areas?  It could be family, building your business, fitness, etc.  Once you have 3-4 pillars, set monthly goals for each one.  Then drill down to weekly and daily goals making sure to balance them so they are achievable without being overwhelming. 

STRUCTURING YOUR DAY

There are times within our day where we have responsibilities that are not in our control, so control those times that you so have control over.  

1. Get up with intention.  Don’t immediately look at your phone because that’s letting someone influence the start of your day.  Create healthy morning habits such as exercise, journaling, meditation, or reading that will allow you to have some personal time and get creativity flowing.  If you need help with discipline, turn your phone to Airplane mode so that you don’t receive notifications.

2. Night time preparation.  This makes mornings run more smoothly.  Set your clothes out the night before, shower at night so you won’t need to in the morning, or prepare some food for quick easy access in the morning.

3. Know what you want.  Coming from the books, The Miracle Morning and The 5 AM Club, these are some steps to start your morning: 

   1. Silence - one minute to stretch and be silent

   2. Affirmations 

   3. Read for ten minutes

   4. Write some thoughts

   5. Move your body - two minutes or an hour, it’s up to you!

4. First things first.  Tackle your hardest task first.  It’s easy to procrastinate and usually these difficult tasks really don’t take that long.  You’ll get it done early and start your day feeling great!

5. Get your Zzzzs.  Sleep is very important so if you know you want to get up at 5am, make a point to be in bed by 10pm.

6. Food is fuel.  Be aware of what you’re putting into your body.  Find some healthy, easy meals that you look forward to.

7. Organize your exit.  Especially if you have children, organize your to-go bags (backpacks, lunches, diaper bag) the night before with what you and your family will need as you leave in the morning.

“Most things that you’re procrastinating or don’t want to do typically take less than twenty minutes.  It really doesn’t take that long so you can do it and then go celebrate that you got it done”

- Holly Haynes

NUMBER ONE STRATEGY FOR PRODUCTIVITY 

Time Blocking! 

Block off meeting times, then schedule your personal and professional goals for that day.  Be sure to schedule breaks and manage your expectations so you don’t overdo it.  This will help you see if you’re trying to fit too many things into one day or if you have extra time to accomplish another goal.

Remember that scrolling, snacking, and snoozing are all time traps!

Be sure to check out my lightning round of questions to hear Holly’s very interesting tea obsession!

CONNECT WITH HOLLY!

hollymariehaynes.com
Instagram @Holly_Marie_Haynes 
Podcast - Crush the Rush