1. Do Less. Learn to reduce the amount you do -- perhaps you could choose three important things to achieve each day, the ones that will have the most impact on your life.
2. Start the day with a relaxing shower or bath. This will get you in a relaxed mood, which is much better than starting the day stressed out.
3. Get in some morning exercise. It will relax you, and gives you a sense of well-being and accomplishment.
4. Create a clutter-free environment. Clutter-free surroundings create a peaceful working environment.
5. Turn off the distractions. This includes phones, email notification, instant messaging, anything that will break into your focus.
6. Take breaks and stretch. Get up, stretch, massage your shoulders, neck and head; it will keep you relaxed throughout the day.
7. Roll with the punches. There will always be things that go wrong. When things get overwhelming, take a step back to get some perspective.
8. Work when it’s quiet. This may be early in the morning, during your office lunch hour, or late at night -- choose whatever works for you so that you can get some solid work in without distractions.
9. Cut back on your commitments. Choose four to five things that are absolutely essential, and then eliminate the rest over time.
10. Focus on the present. Rather than worrying about what you have to do in the future, or reliving things that happened in the past, focus on what you’re doing right now.
11. Do mini-meditations. This doesn’t require a mat or a temple or soothing tapes or anything. Just sit where you are, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing — on your breath as it comes into your body, and then goes out. This helps you to center yourself, no matter what is going on with work.
12. Eat lunch in quiet.While many people do lunch meetings, eat at your desk with a good book or take your sack lunch to a park for a peaceful, meditative eating break.
13. Go for a walk.Take a break and go for a walk. It helps you get perspective, to think, to get a better overall picture on your workday and your life. Plus it gets the blood circulating.
14. Single-task. Focus is everything. Focus on one task at a time, if possible.
15. Cut out meetings. If you have the ability to opt out of meetings, do so. They are generally a waste of time. Sure, it’s possible that a meeting is the most productive way to do something, but it’s rarely done. Usually the point of a meeting could be accomplished with email, or an IM. Cutting out meetings could free up a lot of time and make your workday more relaxed.
16. Prepare the night before. An evening routine is also essential to starting your day right. This might include things like choosing your three Most Important Tasks for the next day, so you know what you’re going to do when you wake up. It might mean getting your clothes ready.
17. Create a morning routine. And make it a relaxing one. That could include some of the things such as exercise, a hot bath, or quiet working time.
