10 Daily Habits of Productive People

Efficiency is doing a thing right; effectiveness is doing the right thing. Productivity is doing the right thing the right way.

Productive people are successful in their own field of expertise. They work hard and they also work smart by getting important things done without hurrying by or under undue stress because they adopt similar daily productive habits.

1.      To-do list and daily routine: A to-do list works hand in hand with their daily routine. They have already established their productive routine and they will just slot in the daily tasks as stated in their to-do list for the day. The list is short and priority is given to the most important tasks and it is scheduled in the morning, their high energy period.      

2.      Daily exercise: Daily physical activity is an essential part of their productive daily habit. When it is carried out after work, it is to unwind, to recharge, and to refresh physically and mentally. They get outside to be with nature and breathe in the fresh air.  

3.      Early riser: According to an article, The Power of Mornings: Why Successful Entrepreneurs Get up Early, it is mentioned that for 15 years, Starbucks President Michelle Gaas has set her alarm for 4:30 a.m. to go running. Gretchen Ruben, popular author of The Happiness Project (Harper Perennial, 2011) wakes up at 6 a.m. and works for an hour before her family rises. They have established a regular sleep routine to enjoy a good night’s sleep for around 8 hours. When they are up and about early they have ample time to have a workout, a healthy breakfast, and the time to visualize the day ahead of them.

4.      Learn: Productive people are constantly learning; they ask questions. They are curious and they want to know more so that they can apply what they have learnt to practical uses and be more productive.   

5.      Positive outlook: They are many ways productive people stay positive. They get support from positive people and when they work they are able to  reduce their stress levels to a minimum because they are proactive and are able to manage their time effectively

6.      Do it now: Taking action is the hallmark of productive people. They plan and they execute their plan. They will not do things all by themselves but employing skillful delegation to get things done.

7.      Live now: Mindfulness is focused attention on the present. It is a productive habit. Productive people avoid multitasking and reduce distractions to the minimum. At work, their mind is here and now. In a 2011 Vogue feature, Arianna Huffington, President & Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post Media Group described early-morning yoga and meditation as two of her "joy triggers.” Huffington has spoken out on the benefits of mindfulness not just for individual health, but also for corporate bottom lines. "Stress-reduction and mindfulness don't just make us happier and healthier, they're a proven competitive advantage for any business that wants one," she wrote in a recent blog.

8.      Think, plan ahead and be prepared: Productive people do not put out a fire. They are proactive and take preventative measures to avoid emergency situations just like a maintenance manager in a factory doing regular checking with a checklist. In the case of busy entrepreneurs, they foresee challenging situations ahead of them and work out a flexible plan. They are prepared; they visualize the end result and work backward.

9.      Gratitude: According to an article, Increasing Productivity with Gratitude, it is mentioned that increasing productivity with gratitude is, indeed, a highly effective process. Why? In a nutshell, giving and receiving thanks increases the release of dopamine, therefore raising your energy. This neurotransmitter plays a critical role in the function of the central nervous system, and it is also linked with the brain's complex system of motivation and reward. Who doesn't feel more productive and content where higher levels of motivation and reward are involved?  Productive people keep a gratitude journal and write a few things that they are grateful for every day. They say thank you more often and they express appreciation regularly to the right people.

10.  Taking breaks: Productive people are not ruthless to get more done. They know it is counterproductive. They take breaks and especially their lunch break. They get out of their workplace and get outside for a change of environment to relieve tiredness and exhaustion and to refresh the mind.

Conclusion

Productive people are the master of time and tasks. They are focused on the things that produce results. They have time for work, play, family, and for themselves alone. They know what is important in their life and they allocate time to do it every day. They are super achievers and at the end of each day, they are satisfied and happy with what they have accomplished for the day.