Ever had one of those mornings where you walk into the office, and the first thing you do is check your inbox—only to be greeted by 100 emails? (Or maybe more!) Then you glance at your to-do list, and it feels like it’s grown a few extra pages overnight. And just when you think it can’t get any worse, you check your calendar… and your heart sinks because you’re booked in for meetings all day.
Before your day has even begun, you’re already feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and wondering how you’re going to get everything done. Sound familiar?
In today’s post, I want to share three simple tactics that can make a massive difference to your productivity and performance.
I recently came across some research that said only one-third of people actually start their day with a plan. That means two-thirds of people begin their workday with no clear idea of what they’re doing—they just dive in and try to figure it out as they go.
And, let me tell you, that is a recipe for disaster.
Why? Because, without a plan, you’re at the mercy of whatever feels urgent. The important stuff—the long-term priorities that actually make a difference—get pushed aside, and you’re left jumping from task to task, trying to rush through everything. By the end of the day, you’re exhausted, frustrated, and probably not feeling very accomplished.
Here’s the thing: planning is the cornerstone of productivity. As they say, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
So, here are three simple tactics I’ve found that can seriously boost your productivity.
1. Think Quarterly
Every three months, take 10 minutes to think about what you want to achieve. Not everything, just two or three key priorities that’ll really make a difference to your performance. The goal is to focus on the big picture—what will have the most impact in the next 90 days?
Don’t overthink it—just pick two or three things that matter most.
2. Plan Weekly
At the start of each week, take a look at your priorities. Break them down into smaller tasks and ask yourself: What do I need to do this week to make progress?
It’s really that simple. Once you’ve broken things down, schedule the tasks in your calendar and commit to them. This way, you’re not just guessing what to do each day—you have a clear roadmap for the week.
3. Act Daily
Each morning, before your day gets too hectic, take five minutes to review your calendar. This quick check helps you make sure you’re staying on track with your weekly plan. Things change, right? Maybe a meeting got moved, or something urgent popped up. Fine-tuning your day each morning means you’re more likely to stay focused on your priorities.
By consistently following these three simple steps – thinking quarterly, planning weekly, and acting daily – you’ll see a huge improvement in your productivity. You’ll feel more in control, and your performance will skyrocket.
So, my question to you is: Do you spend 15 minutes each week planning your next week? Or 5 minutes each day fine-tuning your calendar?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Wishing you a productive and stress-free day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
