Top 5 Essential Habits for an Effective Daily Productivity Ritual

My productivity has soared in the last six months. Here's how...

Lesson 1: Plan Your Day the Night Before

Planning your day the night before guarantees you a good night's sleep, helps you feel more in control and gives the next day a strong focus.

I'm not talking super Monk Mode stuff here. All I'm suggesting is what works for me, and that is making sure that you have thought about the next day the night before. This can be through a list, an audio note on your phone or simple calendar work.

Don't make it complicated. My personal preference is to use a simple tool like Google Calendar (or any other calendar app). This way, it doesn't cost money (there are way too many productivity tools out there right now), and it's also easy to access on your phone.

However you choose to do it, it feels great to wake up knowing that you have a map for the day ahead.

Lesson 2: Prioritize Important Tasks

Don't go into your day without prioritising the important tasks.

If you're looking for a way to identify those key tasks, try the Eisenhower Matrix (Google it). It's the simplest way to work out what is actually important and urgent. Braindump all of your tasks, and then fit them into the Matrix.

The best thing about the Eisenhower is that it forces you to organise th stuff you have to deal with into little boxes. You then get a good feel for what you're dealing with, as well as the order you should be dealing with them.

The most important thing to remember is that important and urgent tasks 'move the needle' and create impact, so make sure they are actioned first.

Lesson 3: Use Time Blocking

Time blocking is a productivity method that involves dividing your day into specific, fixed periods, each dedicated to a particular task or set of tasks. By planning these blocks ahead of time, you establish a structured routine that helps reduce distractions, sustain focus, and ensure that essential activities are given the attention they need.

This approach boosts efficiency by lessening the mental strain of constant decision-making and provides a solid framework for reaching both short-term and long-term goals.

The key here is to make sure you have identified your tasks. Then, allocate them using a calendar app. If you run over time on a task, move it to a future block.

Time blocking requires discipline and focus, but when it works it's a life saver. Elon Musk is a great advocate for it (according to legend, his time blocking is divided into 5 minute blocks) and many highly productive and successful people use it every day.

Lesson 4: Take Regular Breaks

Unless you're in a 'flow state', you have to take breaks.

Constant sitting at your desk can lead to diabetes and obesity. I know, because my health has suffered. Getting up for five minutes every now and then reduces these risks and boost your motivation.

Supercharge your motivation and live longer by taking regular breaks.

Lesson 5: Reflect and Review Your Day

As human beings, we have the ability to reflect.

If you give yourself even just five minutes to reflect on how the day has been you're automatically boosting productivity. Personally, I sit down with a coffee and identify my wins and my lessons learned. It's a regular 5 PM thing.

Even small changes in how you manage your day can lead to big results.

Next (small) steps

I'm a big believer in small steps, by the way.

Maybe it's because I'm lazy, but breaking things down into manageable chunks really makes me feel more in control.

So here's my advice.

Try one of the approaches above, just one. And try it for a week.

After a week, if it works for you, cool. If it doesn't, ditch it.

Let me know how you do.