Ever look at highly successful people and wonder how the heck they seem to accomplish more than you in the same 24 hours?
The secret is they've learned some killer habits that make them productive, efficient, and resilient. Now you can swipe their inside tricks for your own life!
In my
latest podcast episode, I share all about what these hacks are – so if you’re on the go a lot, this is a great way for you to get the info.
Let’s explore that these productivity hacks are… and which high performers use them in their daily lives to achieve (and maintain) such impressive success.
8 Simple Life Hacks to Be More Productive
Hack #1: Focus on consistency.
Consistency is the engine that keeps it alllllll going.
You aren’t gonna be successful if you do something just ONE time.
When you build a habit, you actually become more proficient with it. You create momentum.
And what happens when you create momentum?
You go faster… farther… with way less effort. You can do the unthinkable.
And yep, you become more productive.
So before we dive into the other 7 habits… I wanna offer you this freebie download.
It’s my 21-day habit tracker so you can focus on building your consistency... consistently!
There's even space on the tracker for you to outline what you're working toward, why you're working on it… AND how you'll hack your life to achieve it.
And now you’ve got an awesome new tool for the rest of them. So let’s keep going…
Hack #2: Get up early.
They say the early bird gets the worm – and that's why uber successful people like Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, and Apple CEO Tim Cook get up at the crack of dawn.
Quite literally.
Michelle uses her AM hours to workout before her kids get up.
Jen dives right into her self-care routine.
Tim promptly wades through his 700-800 emails (yikes!) when his alarm goes off at 3:45 AM.
I’m also an early riser.
I get up before my family so I can do my morning routine, which includes:
- Drinking hot water with lemon.
- Meditating.
- Working out.
- Doing a little work.
I love these quiet hours alone. Where I can connect with myself and prepare for the day ahead.
Before I started doing this, I found myself stressed out a lot. And it impacted how I showed up for my team… AND my fam.
Which was no bueno.
So this one little tweak actually helped take the pressure down. And the productivity UP.
If you regularly feel overwhelmed by the amount of to-dos or responsibilities on your plate… give getting up an hour or two earlier a shot.
And do it consistently… for at least 3 weeks. See what shifts for you.
Hack #3: Make your bed.
I know that might sound nuts.
But entrepreneur and author of "The 4-Hour Workweek", Tim Ferris, is well-known for this morning hack.
He shares that by completing his easiest (but most annoying!) task first thing in the morning, he gets a sense of accomplishment.
Feeling like at least ONE thing is under his control for the day – and everything else can be managed.
I’m a huge believer in a tidy bed.
It actually calms my nerves. When I see clutter or messiness, it makes my nerves jangle. LOL
And that’s NOT how I want my bedroom to feel. It’s supposed to be a safe haven.
So making the bed is a must-do in my house too.
It’s all about little wins… and knowing yourself well enough to do what will help you show up as your best self each day.
Yep, even if it’s as simple as making your bed.
Hack #4: Meditate.
Deepak Chopra, Paul McCartney, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey all meditate each morning without fail.
And apparently Dwight Schrute? #whoknew
Not only is meditation deeply calming, it actually allows you to tap into your creativity, intuition, and inner well of resilience much more easily.
For me, I usually use my BrainTap app and headset. (
Check it out here – if you get one too, I may get a referral commission but that won’t cost you anything extra, I promise.)
The BrainApp meditation system helps optimize your brain’s peak potential. Which is totally critical when you’re focusing on productivity.
There are a bazillion ways to meditate… and what I’ll say is… there’s no real wrong way to do it.
Other than to NOT do it at all. LOL
A meditation teacher I know says that the best type of meditation is the one you do consistently. BOOM.
So that could be:
- Listening to guided meditations.
- Doing a walking meditation.
- Following a particular style like Zen, mindfulness, TM, PSM, or whatever else you personally prefer.
Consistency is what matters, my friend.
Hack #5: Wear the same thing every day.
Many successful leaders wear the same outfit day in and day out.
- Steve Jobs was famous for his black turtlenecks and jeans.
- Mark Zuckerberg says he owns about 20 of the same gray t-shirt.
- Fashion powerhouse Kelly Cutrone rocks all-black on the daily.
See, you CAN blend fashion with a grown up uniform. LOL
By wearing the same outfit each day, you cut down on the number of decisions you have to make… which reduces decision fatigue and creates more business-building time.
BTW, a "capsule collection" of leggings, tank tops, and fuzzy slippers counts, right?
I’ve decided it does. So CHECK – I do this one daily. LOL
Hack #6: Get sweaty in the morning.
Yes, everyone knows exercise helps re-energize you and create a healthy lifestyle.
And if you're like me… it’s actually like therapy.
Everyone from Barack Obama to Kim Kardashian swear by morning exercise.
Getting your sweat on first thing can actually increase mental focus for up to ten hours. TEN hours! For reals.
Exercise also produces mood-boosting endorphins – which can last for hours post-workout – which means you’re going to be in a better mental state throughout your workday.
You know I talk about time blocking a lot, right?
Well, the very first thing to go on my calendar is my meditation block and then an exercise time block.
I literally build my entire day around it. It’s that important to me.
Summer is coming up… so if you’re normally an evening workout person, I wanna challenge you to bring in a morning workout now and then. Just to change things up.
Notice if anything changes for you in your day. If you have more energy throughout the day… if you sleep better… if you carry around less stress… if you’re in a better mood.
Consider it a challenge.
But quick note. If you’re like… Hayley, there’s absolutely no way I can do a morning workout…
Then please stick with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise SOMEWHERE in your day.
An afternoon or evening workout is 100% better than nothing at all.
Hack #7: Use a productivity essential oil blend.
If you have a busy or stressful day, try this custom blend in your essential oil diffuser before you dig in for the day:
- 2 drops of Wild Orange.
- 1 drop of Tangerine.
- 1 drop of Lemon.
- 1 drop of Cinnamon.
- 1 drop of Frankincense.
Here’s why they work so well together to create a super productivity blend.
Citrus oils are known to boost your serotonin levels and reduce norepinephrine (which is a stress hormone)... so inhaling their aroma helps you feel energized, but still calm.
Cinnamon is a "spicy" oil that has many uplifting properties. It’s a great oil to pair with a citrus oil for productivity and energy.
And Frankincense has a sweet, woody aroma which helps ease stress – and promotes feelings of satisfaction, peace, relaxation, and overall wellness.
So when combined, you create a grounded, energized, and uber productive environment to get shiz done.
Hack #8: Treat every day as if it were your last.
This isn’t meant to be as dark as it sounds.
Steve Jobs would start each morning by asking himself, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”
OOOF. What a question.
Here’s how this question can help you redirect your energy (and actions) which lead to the outcomes you experience in your life…
If you find yourself saying, “NO – this is NOT how I’d like to spend my final day on Earth” wayyyyyy too often…
Well, then it’s time to change things up.
I’m not saying you need to ditch all your responsibilities to chomp your way through your entire junk food drawer in one day…
…but beginning your morning with this same self-awareness technique will help you work “purposefully."
Meaning take ownership over your life… focus daily on your strengths… and find ways to minimize what brings you down.
No one loves everything they do every single day…
Unless you’re Leo DiCaprio.
He always seems like he’s living his best life.
What I’m actually suggesting is to find bright spots each day. And shift your life so you get to do more of what lights you up – consistently.
Do you hate your job but you feel trapped by it? Like you can never get out for some reason? Is it making you physically ill… or depressed… or angry?
What can you do differently to get out of that vicious cycle? Because it’s not good for you. Or anyone around you.
We all respond to stress differently.
And that includes stress that comes from within. Which is exactly what happens when we aren’t living our purpose… or living ON purpose.
There are always opportunities for change. Whether that’s a mindset shift… or an actual change in your life.
You only have one life… live it purposely. And consistency is the key to doing that.
I’ll see ya online.
XO,
Hayley