35 Productive Habits To Be More Successful This Year

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The upcoming 35 productive habits may seem simple, yet, many of us are not doing them.

We often want to skip over the simple stuff. We crave a bigger paycheck or shiny new stuff, but let me reassure you that creating an abundant life begins with little habits that are almost so mundane we fail to miss them altogether.

Here are 35 productive habits to be more successful this year:

Use your commute time wisely

Even if your commute is only 15 minutes each way, use this time to listen to books or podcasts. You can use an app, such as audible, to listen to books.

Thirty minutes a day can add up to 2 ½ hours a week of listening time, giving you ten hours every month. 

On average, an audible book will take around 10 hours to listen; therefore, with your ten extra hours, you could squeeze in approximately 10-12 books a year simply by utilizing your commute time.

Try out a Free trial of Audible here

Journal

There are numerous benefits to journaling, but one of my favorites is the ability to sort things out on paper. Often, circumstances come into our lives that are entirely out of our control.

We often don’t know how to navigate a new challenge because we never had to before. Keeping a journal helps you acknowledge what’s happening to you but then gives you the opportunity to problem solve and think outside the box. It also gives you a chance to reflect and take note of the growth you have achieved in your life.

Use positive affirmations

Affirmations are positive words and phrases that you repeat to yourself. They can help with your confidence, personal development, and overall well-being.

Here are 40 positive affirmations that will help you live your best life.

Give yourself space and moments of solitude

We all need time alone every now and then. Give yourself time each week away from work, family, and other matters in your life that are constantly requiring your attention. Schedule time at a coffee shop, walk in the park to clear your head, meditate or head to the gym for a yoga session to keep yourself running as your best self.

Save this pin as a reminder 🙂

Get a better night’s rest

One of the best things you can do for your health is to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation advises we aim for at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Your room should be between 60 to 67 degrees while you sleep.

Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary. Use pillows you love. A quality satin pillowcase is less abrasive to your hair and skin and can help reduce split ends. Satin also helps with skin concerns such as wrinkles and acne.

Using a humidifier can also prevent the room from getting too dry and helps to alleviate allergies.

Move your body every day

It is important to move your body every single day. You can even use your body weight to maintain strength. If you aren’t a gym-goer, maintain your optimal health by working out at home. You don’t need fancy equipment to reach your fitness goals. I wrote an article here with some workout items I love, many of which I travel with to help me with my workouts on the go.

Take care of your dental needs

Most people hate going to the dentist. However, it is essential to remember that prevention is critical for our health. Research tells us that our mouth can reflect the health of our whole body.

Be proud of your smile.

Many of you know that I am a coffee lover. To alleviate stains, I depend on white strips to brighten my smile.

Although white strips can be a little pricey, I find they are worth the investment! A bright white smile makes me feel more confident, and that is priceless 😊

Check-in with primary care doctor every year

Although you may be inclined to skip your annual visit to the doctor, it’s important to have an annual physical exam, even if you feel fine.

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) suggests an annual exam to stay ahead of issues such as blood pressure and cholesterol.

The appointment can also be beneficial for you to set health goals. You can address diet, exercise, stress, anxiety, sleep patterns, and mental health.

Related: How Frequently You Should Visit Different Doctors

Stretch

Stand up and stretch every hour. Stretching throughout the day is extremely important, especially if you sit at a desk all day.

Skip the big heavy lunch

During the day, eat foods that will give you long-lasting energy for the remainder of your day. Stay away from a heavy lunch or processed food that will slow you down.

Plan out your meals on Sundays

Meal prepping for the week can save you a ton of time. Designate one hour of your time on Sundays to cut up your vegetables and clean your fruit. Also, rinse your lettuce and prepare your salads.

I aim to make big batches of lentils and grains such as quinoa. That way, I won’t have to worry about doing it during the week. Quinoa in the fridge can last up to a week.

Packing your lunch can save you a ton of money, and you will be less likely to eat unhealthily.

 It will also guarantee that you’ll be eating more fruits and vegetables because they will be ready to go. After preparing my lunch, I use these food prep containers and stack them in the fridge.

Ditch the excessive sugar at snack time

Added sugar can slow us down. Instead of soda and snacks full of added sugar, choose an apple with almond butter and chia seeds or walnuts as an afternoon snack to keep your energy up.

I wrote an article below if you are looking to cut back on added sugar.

Related: One Of The Most Important Ingredients We All Need To Pay Attention To

Drink plenty of water

Drinking water always makes its way to any habit list I built. It’s one of the fundamentals of our well-being. Dehydration can make us sluggish. Start your day with a full glass of water and drink half your body weight in ounces throughout the day. Staying hydrated is also great for your skin and organs.

Clean your fridge

Taking the time to clean out your fridge keeps you organized and helps save you money. It allows you to see what you have to avoid wasting food. Use fridge organizer bins to stay organized.

Clean out your car

Set time aside each week to clean out your car. Clean out the console, throw out all garbage, and wipe down your steering wheel and dashboard. At least once a month, try to vacuum and clean under floor mats.

Take care of car maintenance on time

Stay up-to-date on reoccurring maintenance on your vehicle. Keeping your vehicle in top shape will help save you money in the long run. Check your manual if you aren’t sure what needs to be completed.

Discard items you no longer need

Take time to donate or sell items you no longer need. Owning less will give you the feeling of having control over your life. Go through junk drawers, closets, and work to create clarity around your house.

Related: How To Get Motivated To Spring Clean

Maintain a clean workspace

Your environment is vital to your success.

Take note of your surroundings. If you are constantly overwhelmed with stuff, your space, or a messy desk, these things can start to weigh heavily on you. Work to create a space that supports your best workflow.

Familiarize yourself with what type of worker you are

Are you a morning person or a night person? The reason it’s important to know the answer is because you can tap into your most productive period. You can use that time for your most efficient, effective work hours when you know your most productive hours.

The simplest way to find what these hours are for you is to note when you feel most productive.

For example, I feel most alert and on point from 9:30-11:45. While I can still feel productive during the afternoon, I have to push myself much harder. That means from 9:30-11:45, I focus on my most important tasks of the day.

While I’m a huge advocate of tackling your most important task first thing in the morning, this may not help you if you are most productive from 7:30-9:30 at night. Pay attention or note when you feel most alert and use those hours wisely.

Invest in a planner

Although you may use your phone as a calendar, putting pen to paper in a planner can also help to keep you even more organized. A planner can be used to track your daily to-do list and can help you break down your big tasks for the day into small chunks.

Keep a book near your couch or nightstand

At the end of the day, fit in a few minutes of reading time. Many people like to use the evenings for television. While I think a small amount of television is perfectly okay, it’s important to balance it with sufficient reading.

If you create the habit of keeping a book near your couch or nightstand, you will not have to worry about choosing a book when it comes time to read. Even 20 minutes a day will make a difference in your life.

Keep your phone out of sight

If the type of work you do allows for it, don’t have your cell phone accessible at all times of the day. Instead, try placing your phone out of sight. Putting your phone in a drawer or away from your workstation can considerably impact your work output. It can be a big distraction if you constantly feel the need to check incoming text messages or other pop-ups and alerts.

During chunks of deep work, keep your phone out of sight so that your full attention can be placed on the task at hand.

Cut back on your procrastination

Many of us use procrastination as a way of putting off annoying items. We often do this if we aren’t sure how to handle a task or don’t feel like dealing with it.

The challenge then becomes we have created the habit of procrastination.

Instead, do your best not to let items linger. Set firm deadlines for yourself. Ask a trusted friend or family member to hold you accountable and get to work 😊

Put important reminders in your calendar, planner, or cell phone

Take time at the beginning of each month to view upcoming appointments. Note any important dates such as anniversaries or birthdays, so you aren’t racing around last-minute.

Get your documents in order

Place all essential papers in one place, such as an accordion or file cabinet.

Keep a separate section for doctor’s notes, procedures, finances, and important documents such as a birth certificate or passport. This productive habit will save you time in the future and alleviate stress, so you’re not scrambling trying to find what you need.

Begin with the end in mind

When you set out to do anything in your life, begin with the end in mind. In other words, while I think it’s important to live in the present, also remember to think big.

What do you want to get out of your career?

What do you want your legacy to be?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Write down your goals

I can’t stress the importance of writing down your goals enough. At any given time, I strongly advise working towards at least three goals in your life. They can be in all different categories, such as a health goal, a personal development goal, or a career goal.

Try the Pomodoro technique

Try out the Pomodoro technique if you find it hard to maintain your focus on your tasks. The Pomodoro method entails working for short bursts of time, followed by breaks between.

To try out this technique, set a timer for 25 minutes and work on one task. After the timers goes off, take a 5-minute break.

Then set the timer and repeat three more times.

After four 25 minute work sessions, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

Wake up earlier

I know you have probably read about this habit before, but waking up earlier doesn’t automatically mean you will be successful. It’s what you do with those hours that are crucial.

As I mentioned earlier, don’t start your day on social media. Use your morning hours as sacred time. If you’re a parent, this may likely be the only time in your day you have to yourself. If you’re a business owner or have a hectic job, I can almost guarantee many things start to pull at your attention as the day goes on, so use your morning hours wisely as they are vital to your success.

The 5 a.m. Club by Robin Sharma helps you think about your morning routine and the best way to conquer those hours.

Make better use of your weekends

While we may be good at following a routine during the week, this habit may not come naturally to us on the weekends. I’m not suggesting having a rigid routine every Saturday and Sunday, but I recommend writing down a few goals or items you would like to accomplish on the weekends.

Use your Saturdays and Sundays to wake up with purpose. Utilize the morning hours and then use the remainder of the day for family and leisure time.

Find the support you need

We all need some help and support no matter our age. It’s not always about what we need help with, but who can help us. Who do you need to have in your life to be successful? For example, if you have been struggling with back pain, is it time to see a physical therapist? If you have hit a crossroads in your career, is it time to find a mentor? If you need help with your financial goals, is it time to seek out a financial advisor?

You get the picture. Successful people don’t pretend that they can achieve all their goals on their own; they find the help they need to reach their full potential.

Listen to podcasts

Podcasts are one of the most accessible personal development tools you can take advantage of. Many podcasts range from 15 minutes to an hour, making it easier to tune in. You can listen on your commute, driving, washing the dishes, folding laundry, or during an afternoon walk.

Some of my favorites are:

Pro Tip: You can download them for when you are offline. Perfect for listening when you are traveling or don’t have cell service.

Schedule auto payments to save you time and money

We often know the monthly cost for many of our reoccurring expenses. If your finances are in order, take some time to schedule auto payments. This habit will save you a ton of time and can help you avoid late fees. Each month a reoccurring amount will come from your bank account to cover the expense, and you won’t have to do it manually.

While you will still need to navigate and monitor those payments, you won’t be scrambling last minute to avoid making an online payment.

Monitor your bank account

Each week set aside time to view your bank account. Use this time to review your monthly expenses and statements to ensure everything is accurate. Also, be mindful of any banking fees.

I wrote an article here with 12 valuable ways to boost your financial wellness.

Pay Yourself First

Investing in yourself means that a portion of your paycheck goes into your investment account or a savings account before the money you earn goes anywhere else.

Even a small amount that goes into paying yourself first can significantly impact your life.

When you develop the habit of saving even $50 a paycheck, this amount can grow over time, but also you can continue to raise the amount you invest.

Related: 7 Healthy Money Habits You Need To Start Today

What productive habits do you find the most useful in your life? Let me know in the comments below.

If you found this post useful, others will too. Please share, so together, we can help more people.

Related reads: How You Can Change Your Habits To Live A More Successful Life