12 Productivity Habits That Actually Work

February 12 is celebrated as National Productivity Day in India and I have a few things I wanted to share about Productivity. Over the years, I have made a lot of mistakes, been unproductive (and still do) , I have read, observed productive people, and tested different methods myself. Some worked, some didn’t. But a few stuck, things that have actually made a difference in how I work and manage my time.

A little About The Productivity Day

This day marks the anniversary of the National Productivity Council, an organization that has been advocating efficiency and growth for years. But beyond that, it’s a day to rethink how we work, innovate, and turn ideas into results. This year’s theme, "From Ideas to Impact: Protecting Intellectual Rights for Competitive Startups," highlights the importance of safeguarding creativity and innovation. After all, good ideas are only as valuable as the action taken to protect and nurture them.

So, in this newsletter, I’ve compiled some of the best ideas I’ve gathered through reading, networking, and experience. These habits have helped me, and I hope they help you make the most of your day too.

1. Start The Day With A Clear Plan

Before diving into emails or meetings, I take 10 minutes to outline my priorities. A focused morning sets the tone for a productive day. I also try to tackle tasks that require the most brainpower first, getting the hard things done early makes the rest of the day smoother.

2. Calendar > To-Do List

If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening. Blocking time for deep work ensures important tasks don’t get pushed aside.

3. Cut Meetings In Half

If a meeting is booked for an hour but can be done in 30 minutes, I keep it short. It forces everyone to be concise, stay on track, and saves time.

4. Default To Action

If something takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately. Small tasks pile up fast and can feel overwhelming if left unchecked.

5. Set Up A “Focus Mode”

Phone on silent, notifications off, a clean workspace. Small tweaks like these help me eliminate distractions and make deep work easier.

6. Learn To Say No

Not every request needs an instant “yes.” Protecting my time lets me focus on what truly matters.

7. Take Real Breaks

Scrolling through the phone isn’t a break. Stepping away from screens, getting some fresh air, or even stretching helps me recharge much better.

8. Read Every Day

Even 10 minutes of reading makes a difference. It resets my mind, gives me fresh ideas, and sometimes even helps me solve a problem I wasn’t actively thinking about. Some of my best ideas have come from books unrelated to work.

9. Write To Think

Writing things down makes everything clearer. Whether it’s notes, thoughts, or ideas, putting them into words helps me process them better. Sometimes, I start writing about one thing and end up realizing something completely different. It’s a habit that’s helped me make better decisions and stay organized.

10. Some Days Won’t Be Productive And That’s Okay

Not every day is a high-output day, and that’s normal. Instead of forcing productivity at work, I shift focus to something else. Could be a personal project, learning, or even rest. Productivity isn’t always about work but about making progress in different areas of life.

11. Keep Work And Personal Spaces Separate

When working from home, having a dedicated workspace helps set boundaries and improves focus.

12. Plan Tomorrow, Today

Before wrapping up the day, I like to jot down priorities for the next morning. It saves me time and mental energy. A quick end-of-week check-in on what went well and what could improve helps me fine-tune my workflow.

Hope these insights help! Let me know which ones you already follow and which ones you’re trying next.

Happy National Productivity Day!!!