In this article, I’d like to share with you 5 habits of highly productive people.
After all the things that I learned so far about productivity, I noticed one thing: Productivity is a lifestyle. Yes, for sure is healthy one that is based on habits that some people might look at it as boring.
Without a doubt, there are various of habits that you can implement to build up you productivity muscle, but I believe the following 7 habits are essential for anyone regardless of your personal preferences.
Just a disclaimer. I’m not a guru, or a successful person. I’m someone who is in the never-ending quest to improve himself.
Habit #1: Waking Up Early
That’s the most common habit that all productive and successful people share, for its amazing benefits.
There are some people will look at themselves as not early risers. It might be true, but the truth is it’s just a made-up narrative from your brain to lock you in your comfort zone.
I know it’s not an easy habit to build. I do wake up early to pray may prayer (Called Al Fajr Prayer) around 4 Am Gmt Summer Time every single day here in Morocco, but somehow I can’t stay awake.
P.S: I’m not inviting anyone to be Muslim, but I’m sharing its huge benefit on my productivity level that went through the roof when I start waking up at this time.
It took me a lot of effort to build it up over time and be consistent with it. Trust me, it is not easy.
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My Simple Formula To Wake Up Early
I really do believe in incremental effort. Instead of trying to wake up at a early time overnight, decrease the time by 5 minutes over a period of 30 days.
For example, if you wake up daily at 7:00 am at ease, for the next 3 days start waking up at 6:55 am, and keep doing that until you hit your objective.
All you need is a bit of patience, and to throw motivation out of the window. Keep that in mind.
If you want more information, check out this video below:
Habit #2: Reading
Reading is like taking your brain to the gym to lift weights.
Unfortunately, most people don’t dedicate a large portion of their days to reading some good materials.(The key word here is good materials)
Social media invaded our lives, our attention span got to its lowest point, most the information are unarguably negative, leaving our brains like a deadbeat.
I think self help and non fiction books need to be at the top of your list. Practical books always have the greatest impact, and I think you should prioritize them over the ones that contain fluffy information.
How To Build The Habit of Reading?
Atomic Habits is my favorite book on habits that I highly recommend to read.
James Clear the author of the book talked about many awesome strategies to build good habits. But the one that has a big influence on me is to link whatever good habit you want to build with a place or an already establish one.
Like for me, I linked the habit of reading with the coffee shop. Here in Morocco, for the most part coffee shops are pretty cheap, so I go to them daily, to have more focus on my work, and to have some variety.
The first thing I do, after the coffee is served, I grab the book from the backpack, and simply I start reading out loud word by word.
Habit #3 Follow The 80/20 Rule (Parito Principle)
Simply this principle states that 80 % of your results come only from 20% your inputs.
If results don’t come to you probably you’re majoring in minor stuff, or you try to prioritize everything.
Working hard, being busy doesn’t mean you are productive. There are some people they seem that they don’t work, but they have it all. How?
Because they understood that 20% of their efforts will only yield to 80% of the outcome, and that only comes by using your time smartly.
One big error that I noticed that is going against this rule is that most people try to reinvent the wheel, or being mindless about what is already working and tap more into that.
Well, because I made this mistake…
How To Use The 80/20 Rule Principle
First thing off, cut off anything that is wasting your time. Excessive use of social media, playing video games, constantly checking your emails.
What you’ll notice certainty that most of your time goes out of the window. That’s the first kind of wake up call.
Secondly, you must fill the void. Get yourself to do the most important tasks that will get you straight to your goals.
One last thing, don’t let your EGO come up. If you find something that is working, a technique, a strategy, do it, if it’s working, double down on it. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Habit #4 Use The Powerful Of a To-Do-List
Having a to do list is kind of like having a road map for what you will do for that particular day.
Like I found the main cause of procrastination is going aimlessly throughout day, and not being specific about the task that you’ll do.
As a result you’ll be at the mercy of anything that comes up even if it’s not taking you where you should go. So, it works as a protective mechanism against what is called distraction.
Writing things in a to-do list will help you to remain focus, to get rid from the noise, and simply get stuff done a lot effectively.
Habit #5: Exercising
The benefits of exercising are endless on our cognitive performance, and the ability to build mental strength that is needed to be productive no matter what.
That’s why most successful people have it on their lists as a daily practice.
Exercising doesn’t have to do with going the gym. That’s a terrible mistake that a lot of people are doing preventing them from moving their bodies.
Just start with some push ups, or doing some ab exercises for 5 minutes a day that’s it.
