Last week, we talked about how to be productive, no matter what shift schedule you are on. The success of that advice hinges on having a routine or structure to your day. Routines work because they take away your reliance on willpower. As we all know and have experienced firsthand, willpower is an extremely finite resource. Everytime we call it up, it takes effort. The opposite is true for routines. Routines don’t require a lot of effort. If anything they are muscle memory and are just things that are quietly ingrained into your day. 

A routine is a series of habits or actions strung together in a sequence or pattern. For it to benefit you, your routine should include actions that will help you focus, improve your concentration and performance, and help you stay motivated. It’s a tall order, but remember that you get to customize your routine. You get to pick and plug in habits that work for you.

Here are some suggestions of smart and helpful actions to add to your routine:

1. Wake Up To Natural Light – studies show that natural lighting increases concentration and focus. If you want to increase your productivity throughout the day, start by waking up to natural light.
2. Do Something Motivational – this could be as simple as reciting your favorite affirmations or doing yoga or meditation for 10minutes. Or you could schedule a quick workout to boost your feel-good hormones and ensure that you are energized and supercharged for the rest of the day.
3. Dress For Success – take a quick shower and dress up! If you work from home, working in your pajamas won’t help you get into a productive mindset. Also, dressing up for work will ensure that you look good in those Zoom meetings.
4. Minimize Distractions – this means staying away from social media, getting rid of clutter, and minimizing noise. Start by having a clear desk and getting rid of clutter. We’ve all fallen into the rabbit hole of checking social media apps and then coming up for air an hour after. If you can’t shake the habit, there are apps specifically designed to minimize social media distractions. 
5. Take Breaks – breaks help you refocus on your tasks. They give your brain time to rest. Plan to take 5-minute breaks in between tasks so you can take a breather and come back more productive than ever.

Pick and match the best habits that work for you and add them to your routine. Creating a process, or fixed program with these habits strung together in a flow or logical order is called “habit stacking.” The goal is to establish a flow of good habits that you don’t even have to think about, it comes naturally. This frees up brainpower for better decision-making, concentration, and creativity. 

What does your work routine look like? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp