We all know that feeling of finally getting into a groove. Whether nailing that morning workout routine or eventually getting stuck into a work project, there’s nothing quite like the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a task with ease. But what many of us don’t realize is that this feeling doesn’t just come from the act of completing the job itself but from the routine that we’ve built up around it. Highly productive people understand the importance of practices and use them to boost their productivity.

There are numerous benefits to having routines regarding our physical and mental health. Prioritizing our health should be at the top of everyone’s list, and by building healthy habits in our lives, we can make significant progress in achieving this goal. From ensuring we get enough exercise and eat a nutritious diet to taking regular breaks and winding down before bed, there are endless ways in which we can use routines to support our health and well-being.

By establishing routines around what we want to achieve, we make it much more likely to follow through and accomplish our goals. So, if you’re looking to boost your productivity levels, start by thinking about the routines you could implement to support your success.

There is no denying that routines can play a significant role in our lives. They can help us to stay on track, stay organized, and even help to boost our moods. I am at my best when I have a set routine. I am more productive, more focused, and generally feel better. Some of my routines include exercising, eating a healthy breakfast, and taking time each evening to relax and unwind. I know these routines work for me and help me be my best self.

If you want to establish or improve your routines, think about what has worked well for you. What made you feel your best? What helped you to be the most successful? Start there and build from there. Before you know it, you will have a set of routines that work for you and help you live your best life.

If you need unsure about where to start, there are great books. One of my favorite books is Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book dives into the science of habits and and provides practical advice for establishing good habits and breaking bad ones. This book stresses the importance of having routines. Also, having like-minded people in your lican help tremendously to stick to these healthy routines. For example, many online communities and forums can help you find accountability partners, or you might consider hiring a coach.

When it comes to routines, it is essential to be realistic. It is easy to become overwhelmed and give up if we try to accomplish too much at once. So start small and gradually add new routines as you go. And finally, don’t forget to enjoy. yourself

Practicing Good Habits 

It is important to develop good habits to help you stick to your new productivity system. You want to be consistent in your efforts and keep your motivation to achieve.  

Protect your time. 

Your time is precious. It’s the one thing you can never get more of. Please realize that we all get 168 hours in a week. Every single one of us! No more, no less. The only thing that separates us from those ‘over achievers’ that manage to get more done in a day than we do in a week is good Time Management. While we all run around complaining that there isn’t enough time, those in the know understand that they can get whatever it is that they want out of life if they spend their time well. Time is your most precious commodity. Use it wisely. We may not be able to get more time, but you can make more time for you! 

Less is more. 

Don’t be tempted to pack your items onto your daily to-do list. Stick to your most important tasks. It might be just one large task or three smaller ones, but know your time blocking and what you learned about your habits in time tracking. Remember, it is not about the number of tasks you cross off your list each day, it is about working on the right things. Spending your day on one or two important things will get you further than spending it on 20 menial tasks with no significant value. 

Task value vs. size. 

Please don’t think something like e-mail is unimportant because you save them until the time of day when you have less energy to spend on them. Just because they may not be as mentally taxing as your most important work does not mean they have lost significance. So sending that e-mail, if it is a resource for your important work, is just as valuable as something that may be a 2-hour job. Notice the value in all you do and ensure that you work on the right things.

Focus, Focus, Focus.

Make a conscious effort to focus only on the task at hand. You will perform at your best and carry out the job faster. by giving it your full attention. If you were to spend 1 hour uninterrupted, you would achieve so much more than 3 hours trying to multi-task (that includes checking your phone at every little ping). Your thoughts can be a big distraction,, even if they are new ideas about your work. Keep a notebook on your desk and jot down anything that comes into your head as you work. Getting things down onto paper to deal with later allows you to clear your mind and regain your concentration. Make sure you remove distractions and commit to being totally engaged with what you are doing. 

Plan your day the night before 

This could be any time from the end of your work day. Whenever you choose to do it, I can tell you it is highly beneficial to spend 15 minutes planning the next day. Choosing to do this means that everything is out of your head and down onto paper. You don’t have to think about it. You know it is taken care of. You have a plan. Instead of spending the next morning wondering about what it is you are going to be doing that day, you start the day up and running. You can jump right in and start conquering the world. 

Reflect and celebrate 

Take the time to reflect on the work that you have accomplished. After a long period of time spent on a particular item or at the end of the day, take a moment to appreciate your hard work. You may notice what things that worked for you and which didn’t and be able to make adjustments as you go, but really this is about appreciation. Celebrate each little win and be proud of what you achieve. It will keep you motivated and want to keep working towards your success. 

You may use the tips for simplifying your life and general tricks to improve yourself. Integrating these into your life will help you to accomplish much more. Make an effort to really try these tips out, and you will see increased productivity as a result.

Author(s)

  • Dr. Tomi Mitchell

    M.D | Leadership Coach| Wellness & Productivity Coach

    Dr. Tomi Mitchell Holistic Wellness Strategies

    Dr. Tomi Mitchell, MD, empowers executives, lawyers, doctors, business owners, and other leaders to eliminate burnout and increase workplace productivity and relationships.  She uses her three-step framework, Embrace, Evaluate & Energize, to empower her clients to have clarity. 

    As a public speaker and trainer, she brings energy to the crowd, captures their attention, and gives them clear, actionable steps to apply immediately to their life. Dr. Tomi Mitchell believes in getting to the root causes of life's challenges, instead of taking a temporary BandAid approach to life. She is a writer, with a book coming out in Summer 2023. She is also the host of The Mental Health & Wellness Show.  To learn more about her framework, check out the following link: Learn More.