My latest lifehack is especially dedicated to full-time workers. I call it productive Saturday, and of course it helps to make our Saturday more productive.

Ok, but why Saturday?

During workdays we often don’t have enough time for our small personal tasks that don’t concern our regular work. Right after we return from office, we are tired, low energy and we don’t even want to take a look at our extremely long TO DO list.

Let’s perform these tasks on Saturday.

Saturday is free. You probably don’t have to go to the office. You can wake up when you want and when you have enough sleep. Therefore, you are full of energy. You can kick your day with short exercises, solid breakfast and favorite energetic music. You are not in office mood. You know that this is Saturday, so the whole thing would be easier.

How-to?

Start preparing for your productive Saturday as early as on Monday. During work week, make a separate TO DO List for your Saturday’s tasks. If it would be your first productive Saturday, don’t put too much things on your schedule - just few, easy tasks.

photo credit: JeanPierreG.

My own case study

My first productive Saturday included one hour of fast reading, writing a post, tiding up my CD’s and sauna.

I started my Saturday the way I like it. I had enough sleep; I took a shower and ate good breakfast. There was no need to worry or hurry. I was in really good, weekend mood and that really helped.

Another important point is that I had a plan what to do. I had my list of tasks. This way, it is not another Saturday, after hard week at work, when I don’t know what to do with my free time and I only procrastinate.

All these were enough to boost my productivity. Few tasks from my list were only a pleasure. When my productive Saturday was completed, I was really satisfied with it. I didn’t waste my time.

Try it. Don’t plan productive Saturday each week and don’t put too much tasks. Remember that Saturday is also for relax and time with family.

Of course after complete mission, reward yourself. For example you can enjoy some 80’s TV shows or other timewasters.

Yesterday, I came with a great idea. I decided to reduce the number of keys I carry with myself. I have to keep them in my pocket almost every day. I won’t tell you a secret, big bunch of keys is very uncomfortable.

Below is my bunch of keys before uncluttering process.

I started to take out keys, one by one, and unattached those which were not necessary daily. Most of them I removed without hesitation. I have no idea why I carried all of them. Please, don’t ask me what doors these removed keys are opening.

Take a look at the effect.

As you can see, I also removed car pendant. Remote control is big enough to replace it functions (what functions?). Now I carry only what is absolutely necessary. It is a really handy bunch of keys.

Do you have cluttered key ring? What are you waiting for? You know what to do.

Mind mapping is a specific method of taking notes that engages your both brain hemispheres. The output of this activity is a mind map - diagram representing different ideas using words, symbols, colors and pictures. Various items on mind map are linked together into logical structure, placed radially around central object representing main idea. Mind mapping helps to increase effectiveness of our mind, makes learning process easier and more pleasant, and boosts creativity.

Mind maps are usually used to taking notes, brainstorming, problem solving, organizing thoughts and ideas, summarizing, learning and many more.

I learned about mind mapping while I was at secondary school, but it was only kind of simple introduction. More practice I gained at fast-reading course, when I started to appreciate this technique.

Personally, I prefer to use a pen (crayons) and paper, but sometimes it is more comfortable to prepare mind maps on-line.

Therefore, I am very happy that new version of my favorite on-line mind mapping tool, Mind Meister is finally ready to use.

Mind Meister 2.0 has a lot of interesting features including sharing with friends, real-time brainstorming, attachments on ideas, printing, exporting, task tracking fields and many others. No matter if you are newbie or skilled mind mapping ninja, it is worth to check what Mind Meister has to offer.

1. Eat solid breakfast.
2. Eat more, small meals.
3. Avoid eating on the run.
4. Don’t eat before going sleep.
5. Drink mineral water instead of beverages.
6. Eat a lot of fruit and veggies.
7. Take fruit to your work.
8. Replace snacks with nuts and almonds.
9. It is much healthier to eat salads first, then main course.
10. Give up coffee.
11. Quit smoking.
12. Reduce drinking alcohol.
13. Don’t eat fast-foods.
14. Cut out sugar.
15. Grow your own food.
16. Buy in bulk.
17. Buy produce in season.
18. Remember to check best-before period.
19. Buy food from local farmers.
20. Avoid refined food.
21. Don’t shop when you are hungry.
22. Go shopping with a list.
23. Eat more at home.
24. Learn to cook.
25. Cook in bulk.
26. Brown bag your lunch.
27. Find your favorite, simple recipes.
28. Make use of your freezer.
29. Replace white rice with brown.
30. Don’t use microwave.
31. Reduce eating out.
32. Top, exquisite restaurant is opposite to your own kitchen: you wait very long, drink wine from crystal glass, get small dish you can’t name and pay a lot of money.
33. Sleep more. You don’t eat or spend money then.

photo credit: PoppyW