3 Easy Everyday Habits to Help You Get Stuff Done
Have you ever seen these online business owners out there getting shit done and killing it, and wonder how you can do it too?
It turns out there’s no real mystery to it other than simple everyday habits.
Now, if the word “habits” makes you wince a little, I get it. It sounds like a lot of work.
But it’s true what they say:
If you can stick with a new habit long enough, you’ll forget it’s a habit.
Good habits can definitely help you get stuff done in your business and still have time for family and friends.
I know because I made it my mission to have an excellent work-life balance. At first, I got tripped up by wanting to do all of the things right then and there and by hyperfocusing on my to-do list, trying to get everything done all in one day.
I couldn’t get everything I needed to done and I was missing out on valuable time with my family. I was working 24/7, well almost. I did get a little sleep.
So if you’ve been struggling to get everything done, you’re not alone. Most people spend way too much time on their business in the beginning.
The real key to success is having a strict routine you can follow without fail, and that includes taking breaks and practicing self-care.
Read on to discover 3 easy habits to help you get those tasks on your to-do list done without burnout.
#1. Schedule Your Tasks for the Day
Honestly, at first it was hard to follow through with this one because I wasn't used to it.
However, scheduling time for everything you need to do in the day is critical for getting things done.
So if you find it challenging to incorporate into your routine, you’re not alone.
It feels like it takes more time and energy that you’re already behind on. Why would you add another thing to your to-do list?
But remember, you can’t be organized and get stuff done without knowing what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it.
Here’s the good news:
You don’t need to spend hours planning out your calendar.
Start off by committing to 5 minutes at the end of each day for 4 weeks.
Once you make it part of your routine, it will become a regular part of your day! At the end of each day, you will plan for the following day. What will you do that day? Which tasks are important to get done first? Which tasks can you put off if needed? It will make a huge difference.
You can also set clearly defined goals to help you plan out your schedule every day.
Keep in mind that a to-do list and a schedule looks different for everyone, so what works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay. All you have to do is commit and the rest will follow.
Start out by spending 5 minutes at the end of your day planning for the following day, then you can fine-tune your schedule the next morning or as the day goes on.
Having a support system will help you stay accountable.
One of the best decisions I made while trying to schedule out my time was discussing my schedule with my accountability partner.
We would meet once a week to talk about our schedules and what we planned to get done that week. We would also report on how our schedule worked the previous week, if we got what we had planned to get done and if we needed to make any changes to how we were doing things. It was a great way to hold yourself accountable and get a fresh perspective on building a new habit.
(Want more tips on how to get things done? Read this post.)
Another thing that helps is to start off slow. Try scheduling just your morning or your afternoon, whichever time you are most productive (or least productive if you think that would be better for you). Or schedule 2-3 things on your list instead of everything.
You might feel like it’s too easy of a thing to do but it's actually a good sign! You’re starting to find more balance. High-five!
And if you’re really ready to set time-blocking (which is what this is called) in stone, take a look at my Business Productivity Guide to lock it in so you always set aside time for it.
#2. Set 2-3 Daily Non-Negotiables
I underestimated the power of setting non-negotiables, but it's crucial to your success, so worth paying attention to.
By setting daily non-negotiables, you are saying there are 2-3 things that HAVE to get done that day, no matter what. Everything else can wait. Once those non-negotiable things are done, you can relax.
When you don’t set non-negotiables, you’re likely to try to get everything done on your to-do list before you end your day, which undermines your ability to have a positive work-life balance.
This will ultimately cause you to experience burnout.
If you’re constantly working and never taking a break, you are going to experience burnout. You can only do something for so long until you just can’t take it anymore,
So even if you have a hard time ignoring that never-ending to-do list, make sure you focus only on the non-negotiables and then do more if you have the time to help you avoid burnout and getting stuck doing too much at once.
If you’re having a hard time only focusing on your non-negotiables, try to:
Keep 2 separate to-do lists. Have 1 for ALL the things you need to get done and one for your daily non-negotiables.
Hide the longer list of things to do. Out of sight, out of mind. It will still be there, but you won’t be obsessing over it because it won’t be staring back at you.
Highlight, star, or circle those non-negotiables for the day. Make them easy to see and easy to acknowledge. Know what you need to get done for the day and focus on that. Make it big, make it stare back at you. Make it obvious. This will help you to focus on the things that HAVE to get done before you can get done.
#3. Take Regular Breaks
This one can be extra challenging, especially if you’re used to hustling all the time.
I used to work, work, work all the time and never take breaks. Around 1 or 2 in the afternoon, I would crash and I would sit at my computer, staring, trying to get things done. I ended up wasting hours sitting at the computer getting VERY LITTLE done instead of just taking the break my body needed.
I started taking an hour break around this time every day and things have changed for me dramatically. After my break, I’m ready to come back to work and finish out my day. I’m able to concentrate and get stuff done. I don’t spend the afternoon staring at a computer screen; I spend the afternoon working.
You may think that taking a break in the middle of your work day is counterintuitive, but breaks can actually make you more productive in the long run.
When you take regular breaks, you give your body and mind the rest it needs to get shit done.
Even if you just take a 15 minute break every 2 hours, it will improve your mental state and productivity.
Here are a few other ways to take regular breaks:
Schedule them into your day. If they are scheduled and ready to go, you are more likely to take them.
Make your breaks part of your non-negotiable routine. You have to take the breaks, even if it’s just walking around your house 5 times to get your blood pumping.
Make the breaks something you enjoy. You want to really get your mind off work. I like to spend the time with my kids or by taking a short nap. Do what makes you happy: read, go for a run, use the exercise equipment, make a healthy snack. Do whatever makes you happy and relaxed during your break.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re new to working in an online business, have been at it for a while, or you just want a way to be more productive, these habits will help you get stuff done while maintaining a work-life balance.
All you need to do is stick to a routine.
Remember it takes time and dedication, and failure is part of the process. So if you go off track at any point, that’s completely normal. Don’t beat yourself up and lose time worrying about it. Get right back to it. You got this!
To help you stay on track, I created a free guide. It’s a blueprint for how to get productive and stay that way.
Click here to download Business Productivity Guide >>
