We all have that colleague or co-worker who seems to get so much done during the day you swear they’ve got super powers. But the truth is that they may have some habits that we can all adopt to help us be more productive too. Today we’re going to look at what some of those habits are.

Take THAT super heroes!  We know your secrets! You cannot hide them from us!

Make to do lists the night before

Have you ever been awake at night thinking about your to do list for the next day?  The best way to stop that is to make the list the night before. That way, when you get to the office in the morning, you’ve got your day planned and you’re ready to hit the ground running.

Go to bed early, wake up early

Easier said than done, we know. But the truth is that early birds tend to be more productive people. They get lots done early on and have more time for exercise and mindfully preparing meals that will help sustain them throughout the day. Think of all the things you could get done around the house before leaving for work if you woke up even just an hour earlier than you do now.

Get your exercise

Yup. We know you don’t want to hear it, but getting regular exercise (especially in the morning or during the work day) can make you a more productive person. You’ll have more energy, and your brain will be sharper. You’ll also have better time management skills. All these things can make a huge difference in how much you get done during the day. Although many of us at GLAD WORKS do get in some exercise at some point during the day, we also take walks at lunchtime. It does wonders for our energy level and helps avoid the afternoon slump.

And, just like super productive and creative Steve Jobs did, we do some of our most creative thinking while we’re walking. Try it! 

Eat breakfast

You’ve been hearing it all your life: breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

And if you’re a regular breakfast skipper, you could be reducing your productivity by 50 to 75%! That’s because breakfast is the fuel our bodies need to get going in the morning. Even if you don’t feel hungry, you still need to eat. This does not mean grab a donut to go with your coffee on the way in to work. It means having something made with whole grains like oatmeal or a whole wheat English muffin and balancing it off with some protein like a hard-boiled egg or some peanut butter. Throw in some berries or an apple and you’ll be good to get crackin’!  Your body will be happier and your mind will be clearer, we promise.

If you don’t have time in the morning, do it all the night before so all you have to do is heat it and go. Some of the folks at GLAD WORKS keep protein powder for shakes or instant oatmeal packets at their desks. Whatever you have to do to make it work, eat your breakfast.

Ok. Lecture over.

Avoid multitasking

This seems really counterintuitive because it only seems natural that the more things you can do at one time, the more things you can get done, but that’s not true. When we multitask, our brains are split in all different directions, breaking our focus and guaranteeing that we aren’t doing any of our tasks as efficiently or as well as we could if we just focused on one thing at a time.

Next time you catch yourself multitasking, stop and pick the most pressing thing first. You might just find that you get way more done during the day if you prioritize instead of trying to do it all at once.

Take breaks

This is another one that seems counterintuitive, but taking breaks actually helps you get more done. The brain can only maintain focus for 60 – 90 minute bursts at a time. If you don’t take a break, you’re going to be spinning your wheels. So, be kind to yourself and go take a little walk, get a glass of water or prepare a healthy snack. If you can fit in a ten-minute nap, do that!  It’s impossible for most of us, but if you’re one of the lucky few that can swing it, go for it! 

What we hope you take away from our post today is that the most important thing productive people do is take good care of themselves. Whether it’s making to do lists or eating a good breakfast, it all boils down to being kind to yourself, prioritizing your work, and taking breaks when you need to recharge.

Give it a try for a week and you’ll be a productive super hero too!