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1. Your Morning Sets Your Tone for Success
Mornings are powerful. How you start your day can define how the rest of it unfolds. Establishing a morning routine doesn’t need to take hours; even small, intentional habits can make a big difference.
a. Prioritize Mindfulness : Before you dive into the chaos of the day, take 5-10 minutes for mindfulness. This could be meditation, deep breathing, or simply sitting with your thoughts. Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you, or you can keep it simple by focusing on your breath.
b. Fuel Your Body: Don’t underestimate the importance of breakfast! A nutritious meal sets you up with energy and focus. Try something quick but balanced, like oatmeal with fresh fruit, a smoothie, or avocado toast with eggs.
c. Move Your Body: A quick workout or stretch session in the morning can boost your mood and energy levels. Even 10 minutes of yoga or a walk with some fresh air can make you feel more awake and ready to tackle the day. You can also incorporate this with your social life by inviting friends to your workout. Check out my TikTok on training and rock climbing with friends!
Pro Tip: Plan and lay out your workout clothes and prep your breakfast the night before to make mornings stress-free. For more tips on creating a productive morning routine, check out my latest Instagram post!
Managing your time properly is essential for building a routine that feels balanced and productive. Here are some strategies to help:
a. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: This entails dividing tasks into four categories:
Category 1: Urgent and important (do these first). Category 2: Important but not urgent (schedule these). Category 3: Urgent but not important (delegate if possible). Category 4: Neither urgent nor important (consider skipping these).
By prioritizing what truly matters, you’ll make better use of your time and avoid unnecessary stress.
b. Try the Pomodoro Technique: This popular method involves working in focused bursts of 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This technique is great for maintaining focus while avoiding burnout. Check out my TikTok for a better breakdown on the technique!
c. Plan Your Day the Night Before: Before going to bed, write down 3-5 key tasks you want to accomplish the next day. This helps you start the day with purpose and clarity.
Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Calendar, Notion, or a physical planner to organize your tasks and deadlines. My personal favourite is Notion, check out how I use it below!
(A screenshot of a Notion workspace titled "Karishma 2L Fall," showcasing tasks and resources for my first semester of my second year in law school. The page has a table with columns such as "Name," "Class," "Type," "Status," and "Materials." The header is a pink background.)
(A screenshot of a virtual calendar for October 2024, showing lots of scheduled events and tasks. The calendar includes activities like soccer games, work shifts, social events (birthdays and parties), academic deadlines, and travel plans (Toronto trip and Austria-related sessions). On the left sidebar, there are folders and lists like "Karishma 2L Fall," "75 day hard challenge," "Daily morning routine," "Future Travel Plans," etc.)
Nonstop productivity is a myth. To maintain your energy and focus, it’s so important to take breaks throughout the day.
a. Step Away from Screens: When taking a break, avoid scrolling on your phone or sitting in front of a screen. Instead, go for a walk, chat with a friend, or stretch it out!
b. Use the 20-20-20 Rule: If your work involves staring at a screen, follow this rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It helps reduce eye strain and improves focus.
c. Schedule Downtime: Set aside time in your day for activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it’s reading, journaling, or listening to music. I personally like to play soccer, read a book, run, spend time outside, or socialize.
(Two girls sitting side by side on a wooden dock overlooking calm, dark blue water. The one on the left is me. They are both reading books, with their feet extended forward, one wearing white socks. The image is taken from above. My hair is tied back with a claw clip. A bookmark lies next to my friend on the dock.)
Productivity is impossible without self-care. Treat self-care as an essential part of your routine, not a luxury.
a. Prioritize Sleep: Sleep is your superpower. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. To improve overall sleep, avoid screens 1 hour before bed and instead, create a bedtime routine like reading your book.
b. Nourish Your Body and Mind: Prepare meals ahead of time to avoid reaching for unhealthy snacks when you’re stressed. Incorporate foods that will fuel your brain like nuts, seeds, greens, and whole grains.
c. Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on three things that you’re grateful for. It’s a simple but powerful way to shift your mindset and boost your mental well-being. Today, I am grateful for: 1) My ability to move my body, 2) Having friends and family that support me and care for me, 3) My access to education and the ability to expand my knowledge and cure my curiosity every day.
(Alt text: A plate of Caesar salad with greens, croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. Behind it is a small pizza topped with red tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and jalapeño slices on a separate plate. They are both sitting on a wooden table, with a white vase.)
5. Be Flexible: Adjust Your Routine as Needed
Life happens, and no routine is perfect. Instead, focus on consistency and adaptability.
a. Reflect Regularly: At the end of each week, evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Did you find a specific task draining? Were there parts of your routine you skipped often? Use these insights to tweak your schedule so, it works best for you!
b. Embrace Imperfection: It’s okay to have unproductive days. Rather than beating yourself up, recognize that rest is part of the process.
Pro Tip: Build “buffer time” into your schedule to accommodate unexpected events or delays. Sometimes, I will overestimate how long my tasks will take me when creating my schedule to make sure that everything is achievable and not, overwhelming.
Having the right tools can make a huge difference in sticking to your routine. Here are a few suggestions:
Habit Tracker Apps: Use apps like Habitica, Streaks, or a simple spreadsheet to track daily habits and stay motivated. Pomodoro Timers: Apps like Forest can help you stay on track with the Pomodoro technique. Planners and Journals: Physical planners like the Passion Planner or bullet journaling can help you stay organized while adding a creative touch to your day. I have recently started using Apple Journal because I like being able to voice record my thoughts sometimes so, it types it for me! Another tool that I discovered a couple of days ago is, Google Notebook LM: You basically create a notebook with all your documents and it'll generate you a podcast that chats about the content in a really digestible way. This is perfect for exam season when you have other mindless tasks to do (cleaning, driving, walking, etc) and need a way to learn/study material.
Here’s an example of a balanced routine you can adapt to your life:
Morning (6:30-8:30 AM):
Wake up, meditate (5 minutes). Do a 10-minute workout or stretch. Eat breakfast and plan your top 3 tasks for the day.
Midday (12:00-1:00 PM):
Take a lunch break and step away from screens and your desk. You're losing your glutes by staying glued to the chair all day haha. Go for a short walk or do a relaxing activity like journaling.
Afternoon (1:00-4:00 PM):
Use the Pomodoro technique to stay focused on work or studying. Take short 5-minute breaks every 25 minutes.
Evening (8:00-9:30 PM):
Review the day and plan tomorrow’s tasks. Wind down with a book, music, or catching up with a friend over FaceTime. Avoid screens and stick to a consistent bedtime.
Building a productive routine doesn’t mean cramming every hour with tasks—it’s about creating balance and structure that supports your goals while avoiding burning out. By incorporating these strategies, you’ll not only be more productive but also more fulfilled and energized.
Remember, it’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about finding what works best for you. Ready to transform your routine? Start small, be consistent, and watch the results surprise you.
Now it’s your turn:
What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to staying productive? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on Instagram or TikTok for more tips and inspo!