Be productive on not enough sleep.  Last week we talked about becoming a morning person and how many successful people are at their best first thing in the am and all that is great and good, but if you are constantly overtired and not getting enough sleep then I don’t care how much you want it, you just won’t be able to stay sharp and focused (without relying on caffeine).

BE PRODUCTIVE ON NOT ENOUGH SLEEP

Start with water. While it’s tempting to reach for yet another cup of coffee, try a cold glass of water instead. It will fuel your body keeping you more alert (think without the crash that comes after a caffeine high). Also, since you’ll probably have to use the bathroom more often, it will help keep you from getting overly comfortable and sleepy in your chair.

Reach out to co-workers or family. The idea is to keep your brain working and just the act of listening and having to respond to people will go a long way in helping you stay alert. Having an animated conversation will give you that extra jolt of energy to help you through your day.

Get creative. If at all possible, leave your monotonous tasks for a day when you’ve had more sleep. Instead, aim to work on the more creative, aka fun, things that you need to do. Since they are usually more enjoyable than say, paying your bills, you’ll probably actually get them done.

Break it down. Starring at a long to-do list can be overwhelming and when you’re tired, that feeling is exponentially worsened. So take a minute to sit down and physically break down your list into small, manageable tasks that won’t take long to accomplish. You’ll see how much more you’ll get done. Sometimes it’s about the big picture and sometimes it’s just about getting the next thing done, one small task at a time.

Seek out the sun. When at all possible, go sit by a window for a few minutes or go outside and let the sun wash over you. Not only will a breath of fresh air do you some good, but because light stops the production of melatonin you’ll feel more awake.

Catnap. This really might not be possible, but if you can try to sneak in 15-20 minutes for some shut eye or at the very least put your headphones on and try to relax your body.

Move. I know, you are exhausted and you just want to become one with your couch, but getting your blood flowing to your organs and to your brain (blood carries oxygen, after all) can go a long way into making you feel more alert. Even standing up at your desk will help keep you from getting too comfortable.

These are all tips that I use.  Since I spend the majority of my day writing and planning blog posts or articles, I need to be able to focus. On those days when I feel my mind start to wander, I might spend more time working on social media or reaching out to brands or getting up from my desk to take photos. Obviously, not getting enough sleep is not ideal, but let’s be honest, it happens. There are days when you haven’t had enough sleep for any number of reasons, but somehow the world never wants to stop, so don’t give yourself a hard time (it happens to everyone) and simply focus on the small tasks and on putting one foot in front of other.

Do you have tips for staying productive even when you are exhausted?

For more don’t forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE PLEASE SHARE IT AND SIGN UP FOR REGULAR UPDATES

images courtesy of DollarPhotoClub