I don’t like chaos. And there’s something awful about ending a day that has been hectic and largely unproductive. Over the years, I’ve developed a few habits that have helped keep my day on track. I think you may find them helpful.
These are 8 simple habits you can use to simplify your day and increase productivity.
8 Habits for a Simple Day
- Be well-rested — This is the first thing that will derail an entire day. If you’re not getting a good night’s sleep you are facing an uphill battle. There is something about waking up feeling refreshed that sets the tone for the day. I won’t get into the details of how to improve your sleep because that would be a different article entirely and each person is different. The point is, do whatever you have to do to feel rested in the morning.
- Have a routine — It’s important to have a basic routine or procedure for the day’s mundane tasks. Of course, routines are totally customizable but sticking to a set order of how things are done removes the guesswork. For example, my morning routine consists of making coffee, a morning shower, checking email, and so forth. It’s a very rare occurrence that I deviate from my system. Use whatever system works best for you.
- Plan ahead — I plan out the upcoming week on Sunday and I revise each day the night before. My advice is to under-schedule your day and keep your to-do list short. In most cases, my day consists of 4-5 tasks with 1-2 of them being high-reward. Projects, writing, etc.
- Block out time for deep work — In order to accomplish high-reward work, schedule uninterrupted time to get things done. Set aside a few hours of your day where distractions are limited so you can focus more easily.
- Take a nap — Leisure is something we frown upon in today’s hustle culture and I am on a crusade to end the stigma associated with chronic nappers. A 20-30 minute nap is the productivity hack that many high-performers use to get a quick mid-day recharge. If you’re in a position to take a quick nap I recommend you do so. Not only will you feel more energetic in the late afternoon but you’ll also be able to think more clearly.
- Avoid distractions — The best plan can easily be destroyed by distractions and emergencies. And when we let distractions creep into our day we remove simplicity. Learn to say no to emergencies and things that pop up during the day. Do your best at sticking to your daily plan.
- Set an end time — Part of getting a good night’s sleep is the process of winding down. My policy is, no work after 7 pm. It’s also important to give yourself time for relaxation and fun. By setting an end time it forces you to adhere to your deadline making you more productive. This leads me to my next point.
- Reflect on your day — Take a few moments to reflect on the day’s events. Ask yourself: What went right? And what went wrong? Lately, I’ve been writing a daily journal entry in the evening to summarize the day’s events. I also make a list of the good things that happened throughout the day along with the bad, and a list of the day’s accomplishments. Journaling is a great way to recognize patterns and practice gratitude. It’s a simple exercise that can help calm your mind.