If you have ever felt overwhelmed with too many tasks and projects, or after a busy day, you realized that you didn't accomplish what you needed to, don't worry; you are not alone.
For many, productivity can be challenging to maintain.
Our society today focuses much on doing more and getting more done. And while I agree with the importance of achieving more, trying to do more can cause a lack of focus, not to mention the stress it generates.
In fact, over the past 10+ years as a Yacht Stewardess Mentor, this is one of the most common problems I have seen among Chief Stewardesses and HODs.
If you're feeling less productive these days and wondering how to deal with and what can help, keep reading below to learn my Top 10 Time Management Hacks for Yacht Stews.
1. Prioritize your personal and self-care routine- Mental health plays a massive role in how you feel daily, including how you feel at work. Making your personal routine a top priority will support your mental, physical, and emotional health and productivity levels.
"People who look after themselves and practice self-care have better cognitive ability, focus, and concentration," says Dr. Russell Thackeray, a licensed clinical psychologist who consults on productivity. "They tend actually to produce more."
Here are a few self-care practices that will support your productivity and well-being: hydrate, move your body (exercise, dance, etc.), meditate, practice gratitude, and intention setting. And remember bedtime; the choices you make before going to sleep significantly impact your following day. If you know you need to be A game the next day, know your limits and what creates optimization for your day. Most importantly, get more sleep and turn off the phone a few hours before bed so it doesn't negatively impact your rest.
2. Plan Your Day
Take 5 minutes each evening to plan for tomorrow. This small act will give you clarity and a structured starting point. Even when your schedule is unpredictable, this habit will help you tackle the day with confidence. Planning is about mentally walking through the upcoming day: reviewing required tasks, noting any special requests, and preparing for out-of-the-ordinary jobs. This keeps you proactive instead of reactive.
✅There should always be a checklist and SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) available for all recurring tasks — no one should be left guessing how things are done onboard. Your 5 minutes of daily planning shouldn’t be spent creating checklists or guides from scratch, but rather reviewing what's already in place and getting mentally organized for the day ahead.
3. Verbalize your to-do list- Verberizing means making sure that every item on your to-do list starts with a verb. It seems simple, but adding a phrase like "go to" in front of laundry cleaners or adding "brainstorm" in front of "theme nights" can trigger you into action and will make your to-do list easier to tackle, so you'll get more done.
Remember, when you verberize your to-do list, you can't just pick any verbs. Instead, pick easy, small, and doable verbs. One-step actions that you can accomplish in one sitting or one errand. Something like "plan birthday party" is too big because "plan" is a project and includes many smaller steps. When you see "plan" on your list and don't want to go near it because it's overwhelming. What if it were "make guest list" or "buy candles?" Then you can start taking action on your to-do list without overwhelming yourself to get more done.
4. Simplify to amplify- When you know what's important, it's much easier to ignore what's not. Create a list of the crucial tasks for the month or week and divide them into two sections, urgent and important. Once you have the list, choose what job you need to do yourself or if there is someone else who can do it for you, which brings me to the next hack.
5. Delegate- Although the number one reason most Chief Stews under-delegate tasks is the fear of failure due to putting important tasks in someone else's hands, there are other reasons, too. Some feel that proper delegation takes longer than simply doing the task themselves, and others even question their ability to choose the right person for the task at hand.
Inside module 3 of the YM Self-Leadership course, I teach you how to take advantage of your team's strengths to create better productivity. Click here to learn more.
And remember that delegating will not only raise your productivity levels but will also build trust, open communication, and engagement among team members. Plus, it stimulates creativity, develops skills in your team, and creates a positive culture onboard.
6. Put your life on airplane mode- Did you know that every time you resist a temptation or exert any kind of self-control, you start to drain your cognitive fuel tank? Using your limited mental fuel on important things vs. blowing it on stuff that doesn't will ensure you become more productive.
So if you want to use your cognitive fuel tank wisely, here is what you need to do: turn your phone off, put your computer on focus or turn off notifications, and tell the crew or other people around you for this x amount of time you will not be available unless it is an emergency and finally do the creative tasks first, like writing emails, or putting together a team building exercise or training for your team, etc.
7. Avoid Multitasking- Psychological studies have shown that multitasking does not save time. In fact, the opposite is often true. You lose time when switching from one task to another, resulting in a loss of productivity. Multi-tasking may lead to difficulty concentrating and maintaining focus.
Do your best to focus on one task at a time by keeping your area clear of distractions, including putting your phone away and setting aside dedicated time for specific tasks. And remember, estimate how much time each task will take you as a baseline. It's ok if you take longer or less, as this will help you figure out what tasks are more time-consuming than others. And always start with the urgent task that needs your cognitive fuel, in other words, mental energy or working memory.
8. Make a onesie- whatever you are working on, especially on the computer, clear the area from all to-do lists, notebooks, files, etc. Grab a piece of paper and write the one you are focusing on (don't forget to verberize it!) and have it near you to remind you that it is all you have to achieve right now.
9. Have your own Stew Book templates- expecting a vessel to have an efficient Stew Book, aka Standard Operating Procedure Manual, is a pitfall for your career. If yachting has taught me one thing, it is that preparation is the key to success. And as a professional stewardess, you must always be ready to hit the ground running. That includes having a stew book template that you can quickly customize to your team and vessel needs without spending days behind the computer.
I created the Mermaids Kick-Starter Bible to support Top-Notch Chief Stews with this time-consuming task. With over 90+ interior templates, the MKSB will save you time and energy, as there is no need to recreate them. They are digital and editable! These are clear-cut, tried, and tested templates you can use daily in a hectic season to keep your interior team on track. Merging your knowledge with these guidelines will create the perfect interior system for your team and vessel, whether private or charter. Download the MKSB templates here.
10.10. Plan Your Work Duties Around Your Cycle
For a long time, women have been expected to keep up with work schedules designed for a male rhythm — steady, linear, and nonstop. But the truth is, we’re cyclical beings, and when we start honoring that, everything can shift.
What if your menstrual cycle held the secret to better productivity, more focus, and less burnout? What if you knew exactly when to take the lead, ask for that raise, or dive into creative planning — all based on your natural flow?
Syncing your work life with your hormonal cycle is a game-changing approach that helps you tap into your unique energy, strengths, and timing. Each phase of your cycle gives you different mental “superpowers” — once you learn how to harness them, you’ll never want to go back to forcing it.
The YM Productivity Training is the only course available in the yachting industry that teaches women how to use their monthly periods as a productivity tool. Click here to join the movement!
Following these time management tips and hacks gives you the best chance to ensure your productivity clicks into gear as a woman. I hope they support you as much as they continue to help me. Got questions? Let's connect here!
