10 Habits That Made Me More Productive (and Less of a Hot Mess)

Aloha and welcome back! Today, I’m sharing some of the changes I’ve made to get more organized, more productive, and maybe even a little less scattered. These didn’t happen overnight - some took months, some took years, and all of them took tenacity. So, if you read this list and feel overwhelmed, don’t panic. If my lazy, comfort-loving brain can pull these off, I know you can too.

1. Eat Healthy (Yes, I Hear Your Eye-Roll)

I can already hear you: “Eat healthy? Groundbreaking.” But wait! Have you ever cut out sugar or salt and been shocked at how good you felt physically… while simultaneously mourning cookies like a lost love?

I’ve got high cholesterol and want to drop a tiiiiiny bit of weight, so my focus is high-protein, low-fat, low-calorie. I keep sugar to a minimum - fruit is my go-to sweet - and try to eat my veggies. Recently, though, I was slacking on the veggie front. Solution? V8 juice. Yup, I drink my veggies now. Is it glamorous? Nope. Does it work? Absolutely.

2. Reduce the Info-Blast

The news, social media, constant notifications… its a lot. Try a 21-day fast from something. Social media, news, streaming, whatever your time-suck is.

You’ll be shocked how much mental space you reclaim. And the bonus? You’ll also discover how much time you were losing without even noticing.

3. Use Your Phone’s Powers for Good

Confession: Instagram doom-scrolling has eaten entire evenings of my life. I’d sit down to watch “just 10 videos” and resurface two hours later wondering why my to-do list hadn’t magically completed itself.

Now, I’ve got a 15-minute daily social media limit on my iPhone. Sure, I could override it, but that little pop-up reminder is usually enough to snap me back to reality. And for the love of focus - turn off your notifications. You do not need a ping every time someone posts, comments, or emails you. Schedule your check-ins and stop letting your phone train you like Pavlov’s dog.

4. Move Your Body (It Doesn’t Have to Be 10K Steps)

That famous 10,000-step goal? Totally arbitrary, but it made one solid point: you have to be intentional about moving. Even a few minutes of walking, stretching, or squats at regular intervals throughout the day can make a difference.

The key is consistency. Daily movement = better energy, better mood, better health.

5. Stop Drinking Alcohol (I Can Hear the Gasp)

I know, I know. But my mental health, sleep quality, and even productivity skyrocketed when I cut it out. Now, when I crave a drink, I grab a seltzer water, iced tea, or Gatorade instead.

And here’s the kicker - according to a recent study, alcohol has a direct link to cancer. Why take the risk when there are plenty of tasty, risk-free options?

6. Prioritize Sleep (Parents, Please Don’t Throw Tomatoes)

If you’ve got little ones, you already know - you sleep when you can. But if you do have the option, aim for an early bedtime and ditch screens before bed. Read a book instead. You’ll be surprised how quickly you drift off. Bonus points if you combine this with #7.

7. Ban Weekday Naps (Yes, This One Hurt)

I adore naps. I used to nap daily, proudly, and anywhere. But when I looked closer, I realized I was using naps to avoid hard tasks - not to catch up on actual rest.

So I made myself a rule: no weekday naps. Sundays are fair game (it’s my day of rest), but the rest of the week I push through. Weirdly enough, I feel more rested now than I did back when I napped constantly.

8. Follow the “God Schedule”

Here’s how it works: I do chores, work, errands, and volunteering Monday through Saturday. Sundays are for church, volunteering there, napping, and movie night. After church, me and my couch are one.

The results? I feel more productive during the week and more balanced overall. Turns out, six days of work and one day of rest really does work. Shocker that God was right again, right?!

9. Drink Fluids Like a Desert Camel

Living in the desert means I am never without a drink - water, seltzer, Gatorade Zero, iced tea. Partly because I get bored drinking the same thing, partly because dehydration here is no joke.

Hydration keeps my brain sharper, my body cooler, and my energy up. Plus, it prevents heat stroke while I’m working in the yard. Yes, I spend a lot of time in the bathroom, but the trade-off is worth it.

10. Rise With the Sun (Night Owls, Stay With Me)

All my life, I’ve been a night owl. But I decided to train myself to wake up with the sunrise using two tricks: a lamp that gradually brightens and piano music from my Echo Dot.

The change was gradual - starting in the winter and rising with the sun meaning I was just waking up a minute or two earlier each day - but now I’m up consistenty at around 5:30 a.m., with two extra hours and some change before I have to lock in for the day's work. I ease into my day, knock something out early, and start work already feeling accomplished.

If sunrise is too early for you, just try setting your alarm 15-30 minutes earlier. Even a little extra breathing room in the morning is a game-changer.

Final Thoughts

These habits didn’t happen overnight. Some took months, some years. But they’ve all helped me feel calmer, more productive, and more energized.

If my stubborn, lazy brain can do it, I know you can too. So… what have you tried that’s made a big difference in your productivity or peace of mind?