Buzz
It can be quite difficult to push yourself into starting several productive habits all at once. Fortunately, by making a few simple adjustments to your environment and work process, anyone can lay the groundwork for success. With a bit of planning and a mindset focused on positivity, you can unlock your most productive self.
Steps
Use a daily planner.
Organizing your day will keep your attention on what matters most. Being productive is more about organization than sheer effort, so spend 5-10 minutes each night (or morning) planning out your day. Prioritize your most time-sensitive or crucial tasks in the morning and allocate time for emails, organizing, and taking breaks.
- Set clear, achievable goals for each day. Pick 3 key tasks to focus on and dedicate at least 90 minutes to complete them.
- If you prefer to organize your schedule in the morning, get up 5-10 minutes earlier than usual to make time for it. Productive days don't start with a hurried morning routine!
- Divide your day into segments so you don't spend too much time in one spot or stuck on the same task. Regularly changing your environment and tasks helps maintain focus throughout the day.
- Reader Poll: We asked 1364 Mytour readers what they found most helpful for creating a morning routine, and 55% of them said Setting an alarm. [Take Poll]
Avoid distractions from your phone.
Unless waiting for a crucial call, keep your phone on silent. It’s so easy to get sidetracked by random messages, alerts, or social media. If you catch yourself procrastinating with your phone, take a break. Your productivity is at its best when you’re fully immersed in what you're doing, so reducing major distractions is key.
- If you find yourself compulsively scrolling through social media, consider using apps that block your accounts for part of the day or after a certain amount of time spent browsing.
- If you really need to focus, leave your phone in another room or locked in a drawer to eliminate temptation.
Tidy up your workspace or living area.
An organized desk and home will keep your focus sharp. Mess tends to steal your attention away from the task at hand. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to declutter—throw out trash, put things back in place, and tidy up your space. Waking up to a neat home or arriving at a clean, minimal desk makes it easier to establish productive habits.
- The “out of sight, out of mind” principle works in reverse too. People are naturally drawn to things that are in their direct view. If important files need attention, leave them out while clearing everything else off your desk.
Prioritize key tasks before lunch.
Most people are more efficient in the morning, so tackle important tasks early. If you need to run errands, like grocery shopping, don’t leave it until 8 pm when you’re likely to feel drained. If you're aiming to pitch a new service to key clients, do it before noon. By handling critical tasks earlier, you'll avoid the afternoon slump and maximize your productivity.
- By prioritizing your tasks this way, not only will you complete your most important work, but the sense of achievement in the morning will keep you energized throughout the day.
- If your energy dips later and you're not working, take a short break. A 20-minute nap can reset your mind and boost your productivity.
Concentrate on one task at a time.
Multi-tasking is often a productivity killer. You’ll get more done if you focus your energy on one task at a time. Switch off the radio at work, mute the TV when studying, and avoid dividing your time between emails and other work-related responsibilities. Constantly switching tasks wastes mental energy as your brain has to adjust to each new task. This type of juggling isn’t productive.
- Your peak productivity occurs when you enter a state of flow—when time seems to fly by because you're fully engaged in what you’re doing. It’s much harder to reach that state if you're constantly switching between multiple tasks.
Recognize the value in mundane tasks.
Being productive is tough if you view tasks as pointless. Train yourself to find purpose in every task before you begin. For instance, if you’re filling out a timesheet at work, remind yourself that you're helping your company track your productivity. This, in turn, keeps you accountable and productive. You can even tie these small tasks back to your company’s greater mission and reflect on their importance.
- Finding meaning in the smaller tasks also boosts your attitude. If you spend your day feeling like you’re wasting time, nothing will get done!
Take a quick break every hour.
Take 5-10 minutes each hour to recharge. Stand up, stretch, step outside for some fresh air, or walk around for a bit. Not only will this refresh you and help you dive back into your tasks with renewed energy, but it also gives your body a break from sitting or staring at a screen for long periods.
- A lot of productive people swear by the Pomodoro technique. This involves working in intense 25-minute bursts followed by 5-minute breaks. If you tend to lose momentum after about 35-45 minutes, this method could be perfect for you.
Make a 5-minute daily commitment.
Start small and allow tiny actions to snowball into habits. Commit to just 5 minutes a day of a new activity. The next week, double it. Stick to the 10-minute routine for a couple of weeks, and your brain will adapt, turning this into a habit. This is an excellent way to build small, lasting habits like exercising in the morning or meditating in the afternoon.
- The first week may be tough, but hang in there! It will get easier as time goes on.
- Doing your mini-habit at the same time each day will also reinforce it as a regular behavior.
Take time to unwind on your days off.
If you don't take breaks, burnout will catch up with you. Make sure you carve out time to relax with your friends and family, dive into that book you’ve been meaning to finish, and do the activities that truly bring you joy. Constantly chasing one task after another will only lead to exhaustion. Taking time to unwind on your days off is crucial for maintaining productivity!
- If you're planning to adopt a new habit or system, try scheduling a vacation or a long weekend off to recharge. Studies suggest that relaxation makes it easier to establish new habits afterward.
Look after your body.
Maintain a nutritious diet, get consistent sleep, and exercise regularly. Stick to a balanced diet with plenty of lean protein, vegetables, and whole grains. Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night and establish a regular sleep schedule. Aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly, whether it's running, biking, or weight training to de-stress and feel your best!
- You can’t build productive habits if your body isn’t functioning well. Caring for your health is vital, not only for your well-being but also for productivity.
- Don't forget your mental and emotional health! Meditation and yoga are excellent ways to stay grounded.
Celebrate your progress with rewards.
As you enhance your productivity, don’t forget to reward yourself for staying committed. After filling out your planner for the day, treat yourself to a warm cup of coffee. After completing those morning reports, indulge in a small piece of candy. Giving yourself small, consistent rewards is key to making your productive habits stick.
- Time your breaks to follow right after a productive task. Breaks are an excellent way to reward yourself, and you should be taking them anyway! It’s a win-win!
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It can take some time for a new habit to gain traction and become automatic. Don’t give up after just a few days of trying!
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Create a ritual to “clock out” by doing the same activity each day before you wrap up your work. While we often focus on how to start the day, having a consistent end-of-day routine helps you clear your mind and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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There’s little evidence to suggest that working longer hours leads to higher productivity. Often, people tend to stretch out their tasks if they feel pressured to stay late, so don’t stress about being the last one to leave the office!
