7 Productive Habits to Help You Get More Done Each Day

Feeling busy but never get to the end of your To Do list? Try these 7 productive habits to help you get more done each day.

PRODUCTIVITY HABITS TO HELP YOU GET THINGS DONE

We all have days where it feels like there aren’t enough hours to accomplish everything on our To Do lists.

The good news is that you don’t need to work harder or longer to get more done. Instead, the key to productivity lies in developing a few simple habits that can transform how you approach your day.

By adopting these productive habits, you can boost your efficiency, reduce stress, be more organised and end each day feeling accomplished. In this article I’m exploring 7 productive habits that will help you get more done and how you can start incorporating them into your life.

WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT HABITS?

Habits are a powerful tool to help us make change. They can be big habits or tiny microhabits, but their magic lies in breaking big targets and challenges down into manageable bite-sized pieces.

Everyday life can be tough enough but when you’re trying to improve your life, change the way you do things and/or overcome ingrained behaviours and mindsets, making sweeping changes can feel overwhelming.

Enter habits. Small actions, repeated often, which work together to make those changes easier to manage and implement – even amidst everyday life.

7 PRODUCTIVE HABITS THAT HELP YOU GET MORE DONE

In this article I’m exploring 7 productive habits to help you tackle your To Do list and be more effective.

This isn’t about helping you get more done, per se. It’s about helping you get more done of the “right” things. As you’re reading this, don’t forget there’s a difference between being busy and being productive.

1. Start Your Day with a Plan

One of the most effective ways to increase your productivity is to start each day with a clear plan. Without a plan, it’s easy to get side-tracked by less important tasks or distractions. However, when you know exactly what you need to accomplish, it’s easier to stay focused and make progress.

How to Get Started:

• Create a To-Do List: Begin by making a simple list of tasks you need to complete for the day. Start with the most important or urgent tasks, and work your way down. You can use a planner, a digital app, or even just a piece of paper.
• Prioritise: Identify the top three tasks that are most critical for the day. These are the “must-dos” that you should focus on first. Completing these tasks as early as possible during your day will give you a sense of accomplishment and set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
• Time Block Your Schedule: Once you have your list, assign specific time blocks to each task. For example, dedicate the first hour of your workday to your most important task. This helps you allocate time efficiently and ensures that you’re making steady progress.

Starting your day with a plan gives you direction and purpose. It helps you avoid the morning fog of uncertainty and sets you up for a productive day. When you know what needs to be done, you’re more likely to stay on track and avoid getting distracted by less important activities.

If you’d like printable sheets for time-blocking, working out what’s important vs urgent and brainstorming how to use your time more productively, why not check out the Simple Productivity Workbook and Planner? You might find it really helpful.

2. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Large tasks can be overwhelming, making it difficult to even know where to start. This can lead to procrastination, as the task seems too daunting to tackle. By breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps, you make the process less intimidating and more achievable.

How to Get Started:

• Divide and Conquer!: Take a large task and break it down into smaller components. For example, if you need to write a report, your smaller steps might include researching, outlining, drafting, and editing. Each step should be something you can complete in a short amount of time.
• Focus on One Step at a Time: Instead of trying to tackle the entire project at once, focus on completing one small step. Celebrate the completion of each step, as this builds momentum and keeps you motivated to continue.

Breaking tasks into smaller steps reduces the mental barrier to starting. It transforms a seemingly insurmountable task into a series of manageable actions. As you complete each step, you build confidence and create a sense of progress, which fuels your motivation to keep going.

3. Practice the 2-Minute Rule

The 2-Minute Rule is a simple yet powerful productivity hack. It’s based on the idea that if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, you should do it immediately. This habit helps you quickly take care of small tasks before they have a chance to pile up and become overwhelming.

If, like me, you have too many things on your To Do list to remember (and you sometimes forget to write things down on that To Do list, the 2-Minute Rule as one of my favourite productive habits is excellent. Put another way, if I don’t do a small task the moment I think of it, the chances are I’ll forget to do it!

How to Get Started:

• Act Immediately: Whenever you encounter a task that will take two minutes or less, such as replying to an email, filing a document, or tidying up your desk, do it right away instead of putting it off.
• Incorporate It into Your Routine: Make the 2-Minute Rule a part of your daily routine. For example, at the beginning or end of each day, spend a few minutes knocking out small tasks that have accumulated.

The 2-Minute Rule prevents small tasks from becoming larger, more time-consuming problems. By handling these tasks immediately, you keep your To Do list shorter and free up mental space for more important work. It’s a simple way to maintain momentum and prevent procrastination.

4. Limit Distractions

In today’s digital age, distractions are everywhere, from constant notifications on your phone to the endless scroll of social media. These distractions can significantly reduce your productivity, as they pull your focus away from the task at hand.

How to Get Started:

• Turn Off Notifications: One of the easiest ways to limit distractions is to turn off non-essential notifications on your phone, tablet, and computer. Set your devices to “Do Not Disturb” mode during work hours, or when you’re focusing on or being present for other things, to minimise interruptions.
• Create a Focused Workspace: Designate a specific area for work that is free from distractions. This could be a home office, a corner of your living room, or a quiet spot in a library or café. Make sure your workspace is organised and free from clutter, as a tidy environment can help you stay focused.
• Use Productivity Tools: Consider using tools like the Pomodoro Technique, which encourages you to work in focused bursts of 25 minutes followed by short breaks. This method helps you maintain concentration while also giving your brain regular rest periods.

Limiting distractions allows you to focus more deeply on your work, leading to higher quality work in less time. By creating an environment that supports you to concentrate better, you can make significant progress on your tasks without constantly being pulled away by interruptions.

5. Take Regular Breaks

It might seem counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks can actually improve your productivity. Our brains aren’t designed to maintain intense focus for long periods, and working without breaks can lead to burnout and decreased efficiency.

How to Get Started:

• Schedule Breaks: Plan short breaks into your day, especially after completing a task or working for an extended period. For example, after working for 25-30 minutes, take a 5-minute break to stretch, walk around, or grab a drink.
• Incorporate Movement: Use your breaks to move your body. Physical activity, even if it’s just a short walk or a few stretches, can help clear your mind and boost your energy levels.
• Practice Mindfulness: During your breaks, take a few moments to practice mindfulness or deep breathing. This helps reduce stress and refocus your mind for the next task.

Regular breaks prevent mental fatigue and help you be productive throughout the day, instead of working hard then crashing out through tiredness. By giving your brain time to rest and recharge, you can go back to your work with renewed focus and energy, which can lead to higher quality work over a more sustained period.

6. Practice Single-Tasking

Multitasking might seem like a great way to get more done, but it actually reduces productivity by dividing your attention. Single-tasking, focusing on one task at a time, allows you to work more efficiently and produce better results.

How to Get Started:

• Prioritise Your Tasks: At the start of your day, identify your most important task and dedicate your full attention to it. Resist the urge to check emails, browse the web, or switch between tasks until the job is done, however tempting that may be!
• Use a Timer: Set a timer for a specific amount of time, such as 25 or 30 minutes, and commit to working on a single task during that period. After the timer goes off, take a short break before moving on to the next task.
• Minimise Multitasking: Turn off unnecessary browser tabs, silence your phone, and eliminate any potential distractions that could tempt you to multitask. By creating a focused environment, you’re more likely to stay on track.

Single-tasking allows you to give your full attention to one task, which leads to higher quality work that’s completed quicker. It also reduces the cognitive load associated with switching between tasks, making your workday feel less chaotic and more manageable.

7. Reflect and Adjust

Reflection is a powerful habit that can help you continuously improve your productivity. By taking the time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not, you can make changes that are right for you that lead to better results.

How to Get Started:

• End-of-Day Review: At the end of each day, take a few minutes to reflect on what you accomplished and what challenges you faced. Ask yourself what went well, what didn’t, and how you can improve tomorrow.
• Weekly Check-In: Once a week, conduct a more in-depth review of your productivity. Look at your overall progress toward your goals, identify any obstacles, and brainstorm solutions. This helps you stay aligned with your long-term objectives and make necessary adjustments.
• Set Goals for Improvement: Based on your reflections, set small, achievable goals to improve your productivity. For example, if you struggled with distractions this week, your goal might be to limit social media use during work hours.

Reflection allows you to learn from your experiences and make continuous improvements. By regularly assessing your productivity habits, you can identify areas for growth and take proactive steps to boost your efficiency. This ongoing process of reflection and adjustment helps you stay on track and consistently get more done when life throws different curveballs at us!

CONCLUSION

Productivity isn’t about cramming more tasks into your day; it’s about making the most of your time and energy, especially when these feel in short supply.

By incorporating these 7 productive habits into your daily routine, you can work smarter, not harder, and achieve more with less effort.

Remember, the key to building productive habits is to start small, be consistent, and make adjustments as needed. With time and practice, these habits will become second nature, helping you get more done and feel more accomplished each day. So, why not start today? Your future, more productive self will thank you!

And, what about you? Do you feel super-productive during the day or do you think this is something that you still need to work on? What’s your biggest temptation or distraction? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment at the end of the article!

RESOURCES TO HELP TO YOU BE MORE PRODUCTIVE

• 11 Nighttime Journal Prompts for Reflection and Relaxation
• How to Write a To Do List to Get Things Done
• How to Plan for the Week Ahead
• 11 Microhabits That Can Change Your Life
• How Atomic Habits Help Us Make Lasting Changes in Life

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE

Creating habits is all about repeating actions, regularly, over time. Why not track your progress with this free printable habit tracker?