People who get more things done than you don’t have extra hours in a day or additional months in a year. In reality, they have mastered the art of using time efficiently. If anything, they have extra time on their hands from the 24 hours supplied to everyone. This level of productivity and ability to stay active allows them to achieve success personally and professionally. Their earning potential also increases considerably, and they maintain healthy relationships with the people around them.

With the advent of Covid-19, many of us are finding ourselves with even more free time than before. Unsure of what to do with this spare time, we either waste it doing nothing or something unproductive. It sends us spiraling into guilt over lost time which causes us to lose our footing, and hence the cycle continues. If you wish to break the chain, it is necessary to make some changes in your life. However, one cannot achieve a difference overnight. The pursuit of being productive requires continuous and incremental change until you slowly accomplish the desired result. 

So what changes should we make to be more productive? The article answers this very question by highlighting four routine habits of productive people. In doing so, it also explores the different ways we can incorporate them into our lives. 

1. Having a hobby or pursuing an interest:

Hobbies are a great way to de-stress while making sure your planned or unplanned breaks become productive. Good hobbies also provide room for personal growth and allow you to build skills, learn new crafts or pursue a passion. If you like to cook food, then do it. Take cooking classes over the weekend when you’re free. If you enjoy psychology, get a counseling degree online, which will allow you to balance studying alongside work. 

There are many ways to conveniently pursue your interests or hobbies without it interfering with your current responsibilities. It contributes to your personal development and makes you happier, creative, and more productive during your free time.

Unfortunately, suppose your hobby is binge-watching TV or alike. In that case, you may need to do a bit of soul searching and get an alternative, creative pursuit. For instance, if you like puzzles, then download a brain teaser app for brain exercises and avoid scrolling social media. 

Pro-tip for pursuing interests: Pursuing an interest can be challenging for those who don’t know where to start. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century, where such information is just a click away. Simply googling your queries like ‘yoga for beginners’ would give you countless results to jumpstart you on your new interest. 

2. Waking up Early:

Biologist Christoph Randler conducted a study in 2009 which found that early risers were more proactive than the set of participants who woke up late. This disposition certainly works in the former’s favor as proactivity means better performance and better job success. The early riser group also showed a particular tendency to anticipate obstacles and try to remove them. 

If that’s not enough, being an early riser also makes you more energetic. You will become more efficient with your tasks and have more control over your day. 

Pro-tip for waking up early: If you’re having a hard time waking up in the morning, take a cold shower. Warm baths may be comforting, but cold ones get your heart pumping. As a result, circulation improves, which in turn lessens your fatigue. Moreover, the cold water constricts your muscles, waking your body instantly. Another technique you could apply is that of Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning. He suggested making a plan for the next day, with the first task being something you are genuinely interested in, aka an activity that would get you out of bed. Elrod emphasizes the importance of sleep in ensuring individuals’ mental health. If you wish to enhance your mental capacity and be productive, it’s best to read some books on it, such as Elrod’s. Some may even go further and look up ‘how to become mental health counselor,’ which can prove beneficial for their personal and career development. 

3. Exercising Regularly

Research has shown that daily exercise increases productivity in all areas of life. It gives you more energy, lessens fatigue, and improves brain activity. You’re more focused and therefore more effective with the task at hand. 

Pro-tip for exercising regularly: People find it hard to start exercising because they set their goals too high and opt for challenging exercises. Instead, start slow and pick a fitness routine that you would enjoy doing, be it running, skipping, yoga, or cycling. Give yourself an achievable goal and track your progress. If you still need a little more motivation, then get your friends or work buddies involved. Doing workouts in a group keeps you in check, makes exercise more enjoyable, and gives you the support needed to convert this into a habit.  

4. Focusing on your Mental Well-being

Last but not least, take time out for your mental health. Research suggests that there is a high correlation between mental well-being and productivity at the workplace. You can achieve a lot if you give attention to your mental health. Being in the right headspace allows you to be more creative and more resilient to the troubles life throws at you. You can build and maintain relationships and be more content with life. 

Pro-tip for having good mental health: Seek professional help if you can afford it. Many of us cannot avoid the stress of our daily roles, be it as a parent, employer, or student. So don’t be afraid to approach a therapist. 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to be more productive and active, you must move towards the application phase. However, trying to incorporate these habits all at once is not the correct way to go about it. Rather than getting overwhelmed with all the recommendations or jumping in head first, try to evaluate your current life. After that, experiment to see what works for you and what doesn’t. Choose a habit that you can achieve and make the necessary changes. Create a routine that works best for you, and you’ll be well on your way to being more productive.