Life

7 Habits That Helped My Daily Productivity

Embrace these habits to optimize your workflow and foster personal and professional growth

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2023

Matt Hapgood

Image Credit: Midjourney

As an entrepreneur who works from home, I used to sometimes struggle with motivation and productivity. After doing a bit of research and spending some time testing out different strategies, I have compiled a list of habits that really help me with my productivity.

And if they help me, hopefully, they will help you too!

Check them out below.

1. Establish a Morning Routine

A consistent morning routine can set a positive tone for the day and help you mentally prepare for the challenges ahead. Develop a ritual that suits your preferences, such as reading, yoga, or enjoying a healthy breakfast. A well-established morning routine can lead to increased productivity and a more balanced lifestyle. For inspiration and some additional ideas, check out the great book entitled Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg.

2. Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal brain function and overall health. As an entrepreneur, drinking plenty of water can help improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and promote clear thinking. Make a habit of carrying a reusable water bottle with you and set reminders to take regular sips throughout the day. I bought a Berkey water filter which sits on my countertop, and it’s now the first thing I go to in the morning after waking up.

3. Use an App like Notion or ClickUp for Daily Tasks

Managing your daily tasks effectively is vital for maintaining productivity. Apps like Notion and ClickUp offer user-friendly platforms to organize your tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. By utilizing these tools, you can streamline your workflow and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. I like to add sections for different members of staff, so we can all see the tasks or projects on hand at any given time.

“Productivity is the deliberate, strategic investment of your time, talent, intelligence, energy, resources, and opportunities in a manner calculated to move you measurably closer to meaningful goals.” – Dan S. Kennedy

4. Exercise

Regular exercise is proven to boost energy levels, improve cognitive function, and enhance overall well-being. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, such as a morning jog or a session at the gym. Exercise can help you stay focused, manage stress, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. For me, I love to go surfing, which is the perfect blend of physical exercise, mindfulness, and connecting with nature. I try to go first thing in the morning, and while it’s not always possible – there might not be any waves or the wind or tide might not be right. If this is the case, a blast on a bike, treadmill, or even a yoga session really sets me up for the day ahead.

5. Get into Nature

Spending time in nature has numerous mental health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and increased creativity. Take breaks to step outside, go for a walk in a park, or even work in a green space when possible. Connecting with nature can help you recharge and find inspiration for your entrepreneurial endeavors. Such a simple thing to do, yet many of us (me included) forget to even get outside some days! Luckily for me, I live near a trail that meanders along the coastline which is totally underdeveloped. In 5 minutes I can be on the trail, walking and just listening to the sound of the ocean and the chirping of birds.

6. Use a Stand-Up Desk

A stand-up desk can be a game-changer for your productivity and overall health. Standing while working can improve posture, reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease, and increase alertness. By alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day, you can maintain your energy levels and stay engaged with your work. You can get desks now that can be set up to stand, or sit, and I would highly recommend checking these out. IKEA even stock one, last time I checked!

Bonus Hack! Get an under-the-desk treadmill to really burn those calories

7. Delegate

Delegating tasks to your team members is crucial for managing your workload and staying focused on high-priority tasks. Learn to trust your team’s capabilities and empower them to take on responsibilities. Delegating effectively can help you maintain productivity, prevent burnout, and create a more efficient work environment.

In conclusion, adopting these seven strategies can significantly enhance your productivity as an entrepreneur. Even if only a few of these ideas work for you and you create a more efficient and balanced work environment, I’d take that as a win. Try to embrace these habits to optimize your workflow and foster personal and professional growth, which will ultimately pave the way for success on your entrepreneurial journey.

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Matt Hapgood

Matt Hapgood is a father, surfer, and entrepreneur. He has worn many hats in his career, from being a removal guy in Vancouver to teaching elementary kids in the UK, as well as a parking valet in the French Alps. He’s the founder and main contributor to MattHapgood.com and is currently living in the Algarve, Portugal.

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Life

How Learning the Skill of Hope Can Change Everything

Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a state of being and a skill that has profound evidence of helping people achieve success in life

Published

4 weeks ago

Jan 6, 2025

Daniel Bell

Image Credit: Midjourney

Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a state of being and a skill that has profound evidence of helping people achieve success in life.

Wishful thinking, on the other hand, is like having dreams in the sky without a ladder to climb, having a destination without a map, or trying to operate a jet-engine airplane without instructions. It sounds nice but is impossible to realize. You don’t have what you need to make it happen!

What Real Hope Is

Real hope is actionable, practical, and realistic. Better yet, it’s feasible and can be learned.

One popular approach is Hope Theory. This concept is used by colleges to study how hope impacts students’ academic performance. Researchers found that students with high levels of hope achieve better grades and are more likely to graduate compared to those with less hope.

Hope can be broken down into two components:

Pathways – The “how to” of hope. This is where people think of and establish plans for achieving their goals.
Agency – The “I can” of hope. This is the belief that the person can accomplish their goals.

Does Hope Really Work?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, hope as a noun is defined as: “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.”

As humans, we are wired to crave fulfillment. We have the ability to envision it and, through hope, make it a reality.

My Experience with Hope

For 13 years, I was a hopeless human. During my time working at a luxury hotel as a front desk agent earning $11.42 per hour, I felt the sting of hopelessness the most.

The regret of feeling my time was being stolen from me lingered every time I clocked in. Eventually, I decided to do something about it.

I gave myself permission to hope for something better. I began establishing pathways to success and regained agency by learning from self-help books and seeking mentorship.

Because I took action toward something I desired, I now feel more hope and joy than I ever felt hopelessness. Hope changed me.

Hope Actually Improves Your Life

Wishful thinking doesn’t work, and false hope is equally ineffective. Real hope, however, is directly tied to success in all areas of life.

Studies show that hopeful people tend to:

Demonstrate better problem-solving skills
Cultivate healthier relationships
Maintain stronger motivation to achieve goals
Exhibit better work ethic
Have a positive outlook on life

These benefits can impact work life, family life, habit-building, mental health, physical health, and spiritual practice. Imagine how much better your life could be by applying real hope to all these areas.

How to Develop the Skill to Hope

As acclaimed French writer Jean Giono wrote in The Man Who Planted Trees:
“There are also times in life when a person has to rush off in pursuit of hopefulness.”

If you are at one of those times, here are ways to develop the skill to hope:

1. Dream Again

To cultivate hope, you need to believe in its possibility. Start by:

Reflecting on what you’re passionate about, your values, and what you want to achieve.
Writing your dreams down, sharing them with someone encouraging, or saying them out loud.
Creating a vision board to make your dreams feel more tangible.

Dreams are the foundation of hope—they give you something meaningful to aspire toward.

2. Create an Environment of Hope

Set Goals: Write down your goals and create a plan to achieve them.
Visualize Success: Use inspirational quotes, photos, or tools like dumbbells or canvases to remind yourself of your goals.
Build a Resource Library: Collect books, eBooks, or audiobooks about hope and success to inspire you.

An environment that fosters hope will keep you motivated, resilient, and focused.

3. Face the Challenges

Don’t avoid challenges—overcoming them builds confidence. Participating in challenging activities, like strategic games, can enhance your problem-solving skills and reinforce hope.

4. Commit to Wisdom

Seek wisdom from those who have achieved what you aspire to. Whether through books, blogs, or social media platforms, learn from their journeys. Wisdom provides the foundation for real, actionable hope.

5. Take Note of Small Wins

Reflecting on past victories can fuel your hope for the future. Ask yourself:

What challenges have I already overcome?
How did I feel when I succeeded?

By remembering those feelings of happiness, relief, or satisfaction, your brain will naturally adopt a more hopeful mindset.

Conclusion

Hope is more than wishful thinking—it’s a powerful skill that can transform your life. By dreaming again, creating a hopeful environment, facing challenges, seeking wisdom, and celebrating small wins, you can develop the real hope necessary for success in all aspects of life.

Let hope guide you toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Life

The 5 Stages of a Quarter-Life Crisis & What You Can Do

A quarter-life crisis isn’t a sign you’ve lost your way; it’s a sign you’re fighting for a life that’s truly yours.

Published

1 month ago

Dec 27, 2024

CT Dool

Image Credit: Midjourney

The quarter-life crisis is a well-defined set of stages—Trapped, Checking Out, Separation, Exploration, Rebuilding—one goes through in breaking free from feelings of meaninglessness, lack of fulfillment, and misalignment with purpose. I detail the stages and interweave my story below. (more…)

Life

Here’s The Thing About Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning

Stop hoarding and start sharing your knowledge and wealth for the benefit of humankind

Published

3 months ago

Nov 21, 2024

M.S. Rao

Image Credit: Midjourney

Few people have the habit of hoarding their wealth without spending. However, it limits their motivation as they tend to get into their comfort zones. When people start spending money, then there will be depletion in their coffers. (more…)