The exhaustive ‘success’ lists you find littered on LinkedIn are often unrealistic. If a questionable mushroom smoothie and an intense workout at 5am are NOT your thing, then read on…
As a marketer (and human in general), small habitual actions can make a large impact on your day-to-day delivery and your long-term success. The important thing is to stay focused, not put too much pressure on yourself, but continue to move forward at your own pace.
We’ve picked some of the easiest habits to adopt and slotted them in the most convenient times of the day. We’ll break down how you can begin to introduce them into daily life and the benefits they will have on you personally, as well as professionally.
This list gives you a selection of things you could try, but is by no means implying that without these steps, you won’t be successful – they will just give you a little lift along the way.
Getting the most out of the morning
#1 Write a priority list
This will take you less than a minute and could be the best thing you do all day. Use your phone, a bit of paper, a diary – whatever you have – and put down as much as you can that you need to get done.
Now think about what’s realistic, create a new list with all the urgent tasks and save the rest for another day. Try to put all the small tasks at the beginning of the day – allocate a set couple of hours to get them out of the way before you tackle everything else head-on.
Why not try…
- Getting a checklist pad
- Carrying around a notebook
- Using your notes section on your phone
What it will do for you
- Give you focus
- Help you prioritise
- Make you feel less burdened
#2 Check industry news
We all check the news each morning, but sometimes the stories affecting our industry only reach us in our inbox or through word-of-mouth.
By making a conscious effort to check what’s going on in the marketing world at the beginning of the day, you are exposed to a fresh set of ideas or stories that could inspire you throughout the day. Even a small detail of a story could spark something in a brainstorming session or kick-start a topic of conversation with your team.
Why not try…
- Subscribing to a digital magazine or website
- Signing up to your favourite newsletters
- Listening to a podcast
What it will do for you
- Stimulate your brain
- Keep you up-to-date
- Help you spark conversations with colleagues
Avoid the afternoon slump
#3 Taking a break
Having some breathing space, grabbing a bite to eat and getting some screen separation can do you the world of good when you’re in a stressful marketing environment.
If you find that you or your team is consistently working through lunch breaks, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate whether the time isn’t being managed effectively, or recognise the more likely scenario – that teams are under too much pressure to deliver without the time or resources to support them.
If you are struggling to keep up with the demands of producing digital and print marketing materials, check out BAM by Papirfly™. Your boss and your team will thank you for it.
Why not try…
- Reading a book
- Watching a series on your phone
- Going for a walk
What it will do for you
- Help prevent burnout
- Improve your mood
- Regain your focus
#4 Look for inspiration
Take a moment during the day or in your break to get your head above water and out of your projects – this will help you stay current with what’s going on around you.
Whether it’s checking in on the news stories dominating Twitter, or taking a wander around the office or local neighbourhood, you never know what you will see that could inspire your next big idea.
Why not try…
- Checking what’s trending on Twitter
- Taking a walk through a park or green area
- Looking at retail window displays on your break
What it will do for you
- Generate ideas you may not have otherwise had
- Provide a change of scenery
- Keep you connected with what’s going on
Find closure in the evening
#5 Identify what went well and what didn’t
While you should never dwell on your day (particularly if it’s been bad), it is important to take time and think about what positives and lessons we can learn from it. If you missed a deadline, think about why, and what you could do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Once you’ve identified this, move on. Likewise, if you had a really great day, reflect on all the positive things you contributed to make it happen. Once you’ve had this reflection time, make sure you move on and enjoy your time at home.
Why not try…
- Setting aside 15 minutes at your desk before the end of the day
- Reflecting on your commute home
- Having a debrief with your team before you leave
What it will do for you
- Help you address issues that may cause you stress
- Help you separate work from home
- Allow you to highlight positives that you’d otherwise not identify
#6 Make sure you unwind
Many people have their work emails connected to their phones, and while it shows dedication to pick them up when you’re on your sofa, if you make it a habit it will begin to creep in on your personal life on a much bigger scale. Whether it’s a Friday evening or a week away from the office, if you’re continually being pestered for marketing materials when you’re supposed to be relaxing, action needs to be taken.
We created BAM by Papirfly™ to help tackle exactly this. It was designed with marketing teams in mind. To help them get home on time, enjoy a full lunch break and not feel constantly under pressure.
Now you can create an infinite amount of digital and print marketing materials, on time, every time, without professional support. No more late nights and working through your lunch.
Why not try…
- Meditation or yoga
- Adult colouring or sketching
- Watching your favourite box set
What it will do for you
- Keep your relationship with work healthy
- Keep your personal life healthy
- Stop you from suffering from burnout
Marketing success starts with you
If you would like to learn how you can take your global marketing in hand, produce more than you ever thought possible and do it all without having to expand your team or skill set, read more about BAM or book your demo here today.