Did you know that almost half of your day is driven by your habits? According to a Duke University study, your habits are a powerful tool that account for about 40% of your behavior each day1.
It’s the small, consistent habits that really make a world of difference. Today, I’m sharing the JSHealth team’s top productivity hacks to help you get the most out of yours, whether at work or at home! From essential morning routines to smart tips for managing your inbox, read our top tips to transform your daily life with intention.
Suggestion: Try “habit stacking”, which involves adding a new habit immediately before or after an established one. For example, if you already have a habit of drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, stack a new habit of planning your day’s tasks while drinking your beverage. This helps to more seamlessly integrate productivity-enhancing habits into your routine!
– Christine Belista, Copywriter
Suggestion: Set aside 30 minutes every morning before work just for me time and prioritize some form of movement. This helps clear my head and means I’m not stressed about going out later in the day if things come up and the day is too busy.
– Jess Horgan, Head of Marketing
Suggestion: Start your morning with a short meditation. This not only sets the tone for a calm day ahead, but also enhances your ability to curb wandering thoughts, zero in on tasks, and make smart decisions, resulting in increased focus and productivity.
– Lolita Walters, Head of Copy & Editorial
Suggestion: Write your to-do list for the next day as your last task for the day. Not only does this help you prioritize your tasks, but it’s also the signal that the work day is over and it’s time to relax. Doing this definitely helps me wind down for the evening and sets me up for a productive day.
– Victoria Wicks, Head of Content JSHealth
Suggestion: Go for a short walk at lunchtime to break up the day and refresh your mind. The sunshine and fresh air help you focus for the rest of the day.
– Kelly Sank, Customer Care & Nourish Hub Team
Suggestion: Try blocking time. I like to set aside time and add urgent or longer tasks to my calendar so that I set aside time specifically to complete those tasks… this could include a walk at lunchtime if that helps you cope the rest of the afternoon! Plan where you spend your precious hours.
– Caroline Jessett, Head of Development
Suggestion: Once you think of something, either it is one idea or something to follow, Mark it down. I have one worksheet with all my assignments that I look at every day.
– Dean Steingold, CEO
Suggestion: If you’re expecting email confirmations or action items, move the existing chain to a folder called “Follow Up” – or whatever name you see fit. This tip was a real game changer for me as an EA. I check the folder every afternoon and it often prompts me to keep sending and/or stay on track with my projects. My inbox has never been better!
– Brooke McCarthy, Executive Assistant
Suggestion: A grounded morning routine it gives me clarity and focus for the day ahead. The phone and social media aren’t really considered until AFTER this healthy morning routine. Once I’m at work, I ALWAYS clear my emails first thing in the morning before diving into new tasks/creatives. One way to integrate ideas and work with other team members is best done through meetings as opposed to ad hoc discussions or emails. This keeps me productive with my daily tasks and focus.
– Jessica Sepel, Founder
Suggestion: If you start to feel overwhelmed or that your concentration is slipping, take a moment away from the task at hand and take 5 deep belly breaths. I try to do this a few times a day to reset my nervous system and focus.
– Megan Wearing, Lifecycle Marketing Manager
Suggestion: Manage your energy, not just your time! Find out what times of the day you feel most energetic and focus those times on doing your most important tasks, leaving the admin/cooling tasks for the times when you’re tired/have a little less brain power. This means you can prioritize with the biggest impact and effectively crush your to-do list.
– Steph Sambrook, Global Affiliates and Partnerships Manager
Suggestion: Avoid multitasking. Set priorities and time blocks for tasks in your calendar, leaving small openings for urgent tasks that pop up throughout the day. Understanding your biorhythms helps when planning time/tasks to maximize your productivity peaks.
– Jacinta Volpe, Chief Financial Officer
Bibliographical references:
- Neal, DT, Wood, W. and Quinn, JM (2006). Habits—A repeated performance. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(4), pp.198–202. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2006.00435.x.
