The 5-5-5 Plan

FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY

Think about something you want to accomplish in your life that tugs at your heart. Something that gives you the motivation to get out of bed every morning.

Whatever goal is in your mind right now, think even bigger than that. Make it massive, because this will be the compelling driver that will get you in action. 

You can accomplish whatever you put your mind to if you have solid habits and rituals.

Create habits and rituals that serve you. That way, even under pressure you’ll always have your habits to fall back on. 

Habits are gradually developed by choices you make every single day.  In fact, you could reasonably say that life is an endless series of choices. They confront us every waking minute. Watch Netflix or scroll through social media? Exercise before work our sleep in? Hot fudge sundae or fresh raspberries? 

The choices you make every day become habits. 

It’s not what you do once in awhile that has an impact on the direction of your life—it’s what you do consistently. 

The choices you make today determine how you’re going to be living your life in the years to come. 

The 5-5-5 Plan 

Step 1 … FIVE-MIN MORNING BURST 

Mornings matter. If you win the morning, you win the day. How you choose to structure your mornings has a lasting impact on your health.

Plus… research consistently shows that if you want to maximize your productivity, you must harness the power of your morning routine.

Developing small energizing habits of what to do after you part with the pillow can help you conquer even the craziest of days.

You don’t HAVE energy, you CREATE energy.

Most people lose their mojo within the first two hours of waking up because they become REACTIVE instead of PROACTIVE. Instead of tying up their laces for a workout, they stay snuggled in bed checking social media.

Before you get started on your daily tasks, sit down with your to-do list and figure out the most important items to make today highly successful. Then, prioritize the rest of your list and schedule them throughout the week.

Any item that’s been on your list for more than 3 days needs to be either broken down into more attainable goals, delegated to somebody else, or taken off your list completely.

STEP 2…. ONE-MIN HOURLY RE-FOCUS 

Set the alarm on your phone or watch to ring five times during the day. I recommend setting an alarm for 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm.

When you hear the noise, take it as a queue to breathe deeply and ask yourself…

“Was my past hour productive?” 

Then, look at your to-do list or calendar and mindfully recommit to how you’re going to spend the next hour.

Dictate your day instead of having your day dictate you.

STEP 3… A SUCCESSFUL MORNING ROUTINE STARTS IN THE EVENING

A productive morning begins with what you do before you go to sleep. Here are simple techniques I add into my evening routine so to make the next day productive.

• FLUSH THE TOILET… Excuse my potty-mouthed metaphor, but imagine flushing down all of today’s mess down the toilet, so you don’t have to see it when you wake up in the morning. You want to wake up with new energy, and a focused mind so you’re ready to take charge of the day. Don’t leave today’s mess for tomorrow!
• DRAIN YOUR BRAIN… To help you stop your racing mind and slip into a peaceful slumber, keep a notebook on your bedside table. Before you go to bed, write down everything that’s on your mind…your to-do list, what’s making you worried, or anything that’s bugging you. I call it a “brain drain,” and it’s scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety and put a halt to racing thoughts.
• PREP IT UP… Eating healthy and working out is much easier when you prepare the night before, and set everything out so it’s ready to go. Leaving your workout clothes folded next to your bed is a visual cue to remind yourself of the commitment you’ve made to exercise. And, it makes for a smooth morning because it helps save time.

Before bed, you can also prep your meals for the next day by chopping up veggies, or even preparing a mason jar salad for lunch. And, you can pull out the blender and protein powder from the cabinets and set them on the counter for your morning shake. This way, there’s no thinking required tomorrow!