Five End-of-Day Habits that Will Make Start-of-Day Better

No matter how hard you try, it seems like the work day never ends. You have paperwork piled up around your office. You have half-started research, unfinished files, and incomplete projects surrounding you. And at the end of each day, all you can do is drop your pad and pen on your desk, shut off your computer and drag yourself home.

When you're feeling overwhelmed and there seems to be no end in sight, it's time to change how you work. There are a lot of different ways you can help yourself, well, help yourself. Here are five end-of-day work habits that will help make tomorrow better.

1. Time, Once Again, to Declutter

You know what it's like to come back from vacation to find stacks and stacks of mail and paperwork in your inbox. It can be a nightmare. Why would you want to face a similar scenario every workday morning?

If you want to help yourself be more productive first thing in the morning, declutter your work area the night before. That means clearing things off your desk and putting them back where they belong. Plus, if you keep your workspace clean, neat and under control, you are less likely to find yourself in need of undergoing a major decluttering event at some point in the near future.

2. Have You Created Your To-Do List?

To-do lists can be lifesavers. They keep you on top of the things you know need to get done, but that you absolutely will not remember you need to do. They free your brain from having to remember all your commitments and allow you the chance to relax. And they make you feel like you've accomplished something every time you get to cross another item off your list.

To-do lists can be quickly jotted out on a pad of paper (or electronically if you prefer, especially if your list is long and your typing fast) with projects listed in random order. They are a great way to stay organized and productive.

3. It's 5:00; Do You Know Where You Are?

One of the best end-of-day habits employees need to embrace is leaving work on time. Now, your definition of "on time" will vary according to your position and lifestyle. However, it is important for your own peace of mind and your productivity to limit how many hours of work you put in each day.

The truth is that too many work hours can have a negative affect on your productivity anyway. So while you are busy toiling away more than the standard eight hours a day, you really aren't helping yourself or your employer. Eventually you might grow to resent putting in so much time at the office. And that's a real productivity stopper.

4. Be Sure to Leave Work Empty Handed

Okay, so you've decided to heed advice of the experts and leave work at a reasonable hour. Only now, you're carrying half your workload home with you. Yes, this might seem like a great way to meet your commitment to leave the office at a reasonable hour; however, you're defeating the purpose of building good end-of-day work habits and likely eating into your overall productivity.

Instead of taking work home with you (that includes taking phone calls), organize your workday better. Review your responsibilities and identify what absolutely must be done each day. Then focus on those tasks only. Don't allow interruptions or the desire to work on a pet project interrupt your singular focus.

5. Prepare Yourself for the Next Work Day

You're finally at home, having a bite to eat, relaxing. Congratulations! One last end-of-day habit: Before you go to sleep, prepare yourself mentally and physically for tomorrow.

Get your clothes ready the night before, set your alarm early enough to have a healthy breakfast and get your workout in, do whatever you need to do so that you start your day off smooth and relaxed. If you start out at a frantic pace, it's very likely that your whole day will proceed in the same manner.

With a little forethought and planning you can make each day start out on a good note. And if you have any end-of-day habits that you use to make your start-of-day better, please share them with us.