9 Habits of Productive People You’ll Want to Copy ASAP

It can be incredibly overwhelming when it feels like nothing gets done each week. You’re checking some things of your to-do list, but then more start piling up. And then all you want to do is relax and forget about it which causes more stress and overwhelm later on.

And then you’re wondering what’s wrong with you and why you can’t be like the highly productive people in your life. But the truth is, they’re not special or born different. They’ve just built up habits for getting more done and maximizing their impact.

And that’s why I wanted to cover the habits of productive people. These productive habits will help you stay ahead, make smart choices, and stay on track with your goals.

You don’t need to be “special” in order to increase your productivity. You just need to learn about the habits of highly productive people and figure out which ones will work with your current lifestyle.

So check them out and see which ones you can adopt this week so you can stay ahead of your list!

1. Creating a System and Prioritizing

Productive people identify their priorities before diving into their work.

They adopt frameworks like the “eat the frog” method or the Eisenhower Matrix for understanding what matters most.

Focusing on high-impact tasks can really help to maximize your own impact and keep you from feeling overwhelmed throughout the week. Because when big things hang over your head, they can cause even more stress and make you not want to take care of the smaller things.

So figure out what system you want to adopt so you can understand how you want to plan your day, keep the momentum going, and stay focused.

2. They Group Like Tasks Together

Batching is one of the best productivity habits you can take on.

It’s a great system for handling similar tasks together so you can stay focused and single-task effectively.

So for instance, you might decide that you want to reply to all emails at a specific time each day, or schedule all calls in one block.

Also, grouping tasks together can really help you to minimize distractions, and stay on track throughout the day. It really is easier to keep going and stay motivated when your brain isn’t constantly switching contexts.

3. They Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking really doesn’t boost your productivity. You’re splitting up your attention and then reducing the quality of your work. It’s honestly a great way to drain your focus.

So instead, give each task, or batch of tasks, your full attention so you can have deeper and more focused work.

And a good way you can do this is to try something like the Pomodoro method or deep work blocks to reinforce this new habit. They’re great ways to set aside a certain amount of time to get a task done and get it done right.

4. Staying Away from a False Sense Of Productivity

A false sense of productivity is something we all do and it can look like so many things. So for instance, you might feel productive if you’re organizing files or setting up a new layout for your workspace. But these tasks don’t actually get things done.

It’s important to make smart choices about knocking off tasks that actually contribute to real results.

So try auditing your habits. What makes you feel busy VS. what’s actually moving you forward.

Real productivity comes from actual progress, not motion.

5. They Know Their Peak Hours

Your “peak hours” are the time of day when you feel the most motivated and alert.

It was even shown in a study that your productivity and energy can depend on whether you’re a morning or night person.

So start tracking your energy levels and scheduling important work tasks or sessions during these hours. It’s a great way to see when you’re at your best and maximize your impact.

Also, make sure to protect these peak hours from any distractions that would hurt your momentum!

6. They’re Persistent

Persistence is just doing the right thing even when it doesn’t feel easy. It’s knowing that you can do hard things.

And productive people keep their momentum and motivation through consistency and diligence, not random bursts of action.

So start creating micro-habits so you can have small wins and stay persistent. These can be things like taking 10 minutes to plan your day, or doing a quick desk stretch or hydration break every hour.

Also, persistence is what keeps your productive habits alive when motivations starts to fade. So make sure this is one of the top things you start growing in and be kind to yourself when you mess up!

7. Knowing When to Unplug

Productive people understand that rest is a big part of staying ahead and not falling behind.

So this could be taking short breaks throughout the day, having screen-free time in the evening, or just going on walks.

Being unplugged can help you when it comes to restoring your focus for focused work, and preventing burnouts. So just make sure to stay balanced and listen to your mind and body so you can have long-term productivity.

8. They Have a Regular Sleep Schedule

There are multiple studies on how sleep is incredible for your brain health and focus. Even this study on sleep duration and cognition states that, “total sleep deprivation leads to poorer short-term memory, attention, and processing speed.”

So figure out when you want to start winding down and set your own bedtime. Then figure out what you want to do during your wind down time so that you can stay relaxed and ready yourself for bed.

Side Note: If you want some ideas, here are some tips on ways to romanticize your night routine for better sleep.

Rest is crucial to your momentum and consistency, and highly productive people understand this. They see sleep as part of their system, not some luxury, and you should too!

9. They Take Care of Their Health

Productive people see their health as incredibly important to their performance. They find time to exercise, practice self-care, stay hydrated, and make sure they have a well balanced diet.

Even a study on workplace stress and productivity stated that, “as stress increased, productivity appeared to decrease.”

So make sure you’re doing things that are taking care of your mental health, and creating a healthy lifestyle that’ll help to decrease stress in your life.

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