Without a doubt, highly productive people set themselves up with the right tools, that keep them on track in their daily lives. Have you ever looked at someone and thought, HOW do they do it all?! Well, they likely have very specific habits and routines in place, to allow them to get everything that they need to get done, in one day. And that’s where this blog post comes in. We’re breaking down the 10 habits of highly productive people. So that you too, can do all that you want to do!
Being productive doesn’t have to mean spending all your time working. Being productive could also mean, getting the things in life done that need to get done, so you can then spend more time on doing the things you love. Like reading, playing with your kids, seeing a friend for pilates or travelling. Utilizing your time wisely, means opening up opportunity to enjoy more of what life has to offer. Instead of dragging your feet, or doom scrolling and wasting hours of your day. Habits of highly productive people, will make a big difference in your life, trust us on this one!
1. Embrace the Power of Sleep
Good sleep is the foundation of a productive day. Highly productive people protect their rest like it’s non-negotiable, because it is. Quality sleep improves focus, mood, and energy levels, setting you up to make better decisions and perform at your best.
We’ve all been there… we let our sleep routine slide for a few days, stay up late, sleep in, and tell ourselves… it’s fine! And sure, it happens (life and social plans don’t stop!), but when it becomes the norm, you really start to feel the difference. You wake up tired, you drag through the day, and your focus feels off. Now that my sleep schedule is more consistent, I notice a huge difference in how I feel. Even one late night throws me off. I’m more restless and I can actually see it reflected in my Oura Ring data.
Here are a few small changes that helped me improve my sleep:
- No screens an hour before bed.
- A cold, dark, and quiet room.
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time daily.
- Using a sunrise alarm to wake up gently.
2. Become an Early Bird
You’ve probably seen those 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. morning routines all over social media. They might seem a little extra, but there’s a reason so many entrepreneurs and highly productive people swear by early mornings. The quiet hours before breakfast are golden. It’s that rare time of day when the world hasn’t started demanding your attention yet, perfect for meditation, journaling, movement, or simply planning out your day. When you start early, you get a head start on your goals before the noise of emails, messages, and meetings takes over.
Early risers often find they’re not just adding hours, they’re gaining clarity. The early start gives you space to focus, think creatively, and ease into your tasks without rushing. Whether that means fitting in your workout, catching up on client work, or simply taking time for yourself, those early hours can set the tone for your entire day.
That said, being an early bird starts with one key thing: sleep (back to point one!). Waking up earlier only works if you’re going to bed early enough to get quality rest. Early mornings aren’t just about joining the 5 a.m. club just to say you did, it’s about creating quiet space to show up for yourself before the day asks you to show up for everyone else
3. Time-Block Your Day
Time blocking your day may sound a bit excessive. Curating your schedule to reflect every bit of work and life you need to get done in one day, may not be for everyone. BUT here us out. Once you start mapping out how you want your day to unfold, there’s no going back. I personally (Cornelia) started time blocking 3 years ago. The act of time blocking, has completely changed my life and how much I get done in one day.
Gone are the days of wondering where the time went, with time blocking, I now know exactly how I spend my work days. It allows me to focus on the big picture. And if you’re someone who has a lot to get done in one day, say you work more than one job. Time blocking helps you block out what parts of the day will be spent on which tasks. I personally love it to balance out my days with my full time job, my side hustles and my workout schedule. If you’d like to learn more on the topic, check out my latest video where I walk you through how I time block my mornings!
4. Fuel Your Body
Every productive person knows, fuelling your body is KEY in feeling your best. This includes: incorporating balanced meals into your day, staying hydrated, and paying attention to what your body is telling you.
If you listen carefully, your body will signal to you what feels best. For example, incorporating enough protein into your meals, so that you feel satiated and stay fuller, longer. Or avoiding sugary food, that make you crash, later on in your day. Finding foods that are nutrient rich, will help your mind stay focused. And even drinking 2+ litres of water every day, will just allow your body to focus and optimize at its best. None of us are perfect, and everyday will look different, it’s more than ok to treat yourself. But trust us when we say, you really are what you eat. And prioritizing nutrition, is one of the best ways to set your days up for success.
5. Make Time for Things Other than Work
Life is more than just work. Sure, being productive in your work is an amazing feeling. But what if you change the narrative and think how productivity can open up more time to allow you to do more of what you love? Productivity will enhance your work flow and allow you to get your necessary tasks done, sooner. But it will also give you more time for hobbies, or family time!
Though what if making time for things, other than work, wasn’t just about what you can do in your spare time? What if your spare time drove your productivity? We all need time “offline”. Time to just be care-free, stress-free and a little spontaneous! Giving yourself time away from your to-do list, will give your body a chance to rest, to feel more ease. Which will in turn, refuel you and give you the energy you need, to get back to work. Life is all about balance, and our hobbies are an important reminder of that.
6. Prioritize Movement and Rest
Did you know that movement and designated rest time, can support your productivity? Movement reduces stress while improving creativity, it also helps with brain fog. Have you ever felt stuck in your work, or unmotivated in your day? Have you ever tried getting out for a walk, or taking an exercise break? Have you noticed how much of a difference this makes in your energy levels?! Keep that in mind if you’re looking for tips on drawing in productivity.
Just as important as movement, rest for your physical body is key in refuelling you recharging you, so that you have more energy to be productive. Unplugging, resting, whatever you want to call it, goes back to our point about making time for things other than work and getting things done. When we give our bodies and minds time to rest, we show up ever stronger, the next day.
7. Connect with Your Community
Connecting with your community is another form of making time for life outside of work! How does connecting with your community, look for you? Does it refuel you? Does it bring you joy? I personally need time with my community to keep me energized. When I make time to see a friend, go to a workout class or join a local group, I feel so much better in my daily life. Which then gives me the motivation and energy I need, to tackle everything on my to-do list. Connection is key.
8. Understand Your Why
Just like anything in life, if you understand your why, you’ll have a lot clearer of a picture as to why you’re working towards something. It’s the same with your productivity goals. If you know why you want to be productive and achieve certain goals, this will give you clarity and motivation. So next time you’re searching for a bit more meaning in your productivity, remind yourself of your “why”.
9. Understand Delayed Gratification
We live in a world that sells instant everything, fast food, quick fixes and “overnight success.” But anything truly valuable takes time. So many people give up right before things start working, simply because they expect results in days instead of months. It’s a new reality of our world, expecting everything to come true right away. We forget that things and experiences worth having, coming with a lot of hard work, and perseverance. Productivity comes into play when we’re working towards those goals. When you know what you’re aiming for, staying productive will ensure you have the tools to keep going after the things you’re working so hard for.
10. Learn to Say “No”
For a long time, I thought saying “yes” to everything made me a good person. Extra work, plans I wasn’t excited about, I said yes because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone. What I didn’t realize back then was that every “yes” to something that didn’t align with my values, was really a “no” to myself. No to rest, no to my own goals, no to what truly mattered. Now, I see “no” as a boundary that protects my energy and helps me stay aligned with what actually matters.
And there you have it, 10 habits of highly productive people. There is no “one size fits all” approach to productivity. Take what works for you and feel free to leave the rest. Productivity isn’t just about “getting it all done”, it’s a tool that will open up so much more valuable time in your life. And who doesn’t want that?
Fore more productivity and time management tips, check out our Solopreneurship section of the blog. Thanks for being here!
XO
Meg & Cornelia
