Small Habits To Unlock A Life of Productivity and Fulfillment

Felix Ivance Runye
4 min readOct 17, 2023
Photo by Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often find ourselves chasing after success, productivity, and happiness. While these pursuits can be fulfilling, it’s crucial to develop the right habits that pave the way for a more purposeful life. Here, we’ll explore habits that not only invest in your well-being but also yield significant returns

1. Write Things Down

Keeping a journal or a notebook handy is like having a direct line to your future self. It’s a trusted confidant where you can jot down your thoughts, ideas, and tasks. By putting pen to paper, you prevent the brain’s notorious habit of forgetting those brilliant insights that can spark the next big idea.

2. Plan Intentional Breaks

Picture this: You’re running a marathon and must catch your breath. Life’s no different. Scheduled breaks are like pit stops for your mind. They’re not downtime but refueling stations that power you for the next lap.

3. Begin Your Day with Purpose

Every day is a new chance to make progress. Start with the end in mind by focusing on a select few high-priority tasks. It’s your blueprint for a day that matters, a day that leads to meaningful accomplishments.

Bonus: learn more about the art of GTD from a nice article on todoist

4. Hydrate First Thing in the Morning

Kickstart your body and mind with a simple yet powerful habit. Drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up can boost your gut and brain health, setting a healthy tone for the day ahead.

5. Make Walking a Habit

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Walking is the simplest and healthiest form of physical activity. It improves mental clarity and self-awareness, all while offering a serene break from the daily grind.

6. Track Your Time Habits

Ever feel like time slips through your fingers? You’ll pinpoint the activities eating up precious hours by tracking your daily routines. Do more of what’s working and cut out the time-wasters. It’s like a budget for your day.

7. One Tab Rule for Focus

We live in a digital age filled with distractions. Implement the one-tab rule when working online. It keeps web distractions at bay, allowing you to concentrate on one task at a time.

Bonus: use this chrome extension, to manage tabs that you are not actively using here (Tab Suspender)

8. End the Day with Priorities

Wrap up your day by setting clear priorities for tomorrow. It’s a thoughtful practice that makes your mornings smoother and more productive.

9. Embrace Weekly and Daily Reviews

Reflecting on your progress is a powerful habit. Weekly reviews help you identify what’s working, where you need improvement, and what should be left behind. Daily check-ins ensure you stay on track.

10. Be Mindful of News Consumption

In the age of information overload, be selective with your news sources. Choose credible outlets that focus on vital information, and steer clear of negative news that can affect your mood and mindset, impacting your entire day.

Bonus: Prevent yourself from dopamine overdose, from doom scrolling, and schedule social media access to only times, where you need to catch a break or a breath.

11. Learn the Art of Saying No

Your time is a precious resource. Protect it by learning to say ‘no’ when your progress depends on it. Prioritize your goals and defend your time like a castle.

12. Invest in a Fulfilling Hobby

Beyond the 8-to-5 grind, invest in a hobby that brings you joy. Hobbies boost mental clarity, provide an outlet for creativity, and lead to a more fulfilling life.

Bonus: Get a dog 😜 or a cat 🐱 or a plant 🌱 🪴 , anything that gives you a sense of responsibility, and nurture it.

13. Keep Learning

Never stop feeding your mind. Keep a self-help book beside your bed. Whether it’s the first thing you read in the morning or a bedtime ritual, these wisdom-packed pages will inspire growth and enrich your life’s journey.

These habits are like gems, polished by the collective wisdom of self-help books, gurus, and everyday life experiences. They are the building blocks for a life that’s both fulfilling and productive.

But here’s the beauty of it all: knowledge knows no bounds, and there’s always more to learn.

As we wrap up this journey, I invite you to share your insights. Do you have small habits that have added color to your canvas of life?

Together, we can create a richer tapestry of wisdom. Let’s keep the conversation alive and the learning never-ending. After all, the pursuit of a better life is a journey worth sharing.

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Felix Ivance Runye

I am a Software Engineer, and an Adventurer, who is passionate about cycling, biking, and reading. Always on the lookout for new challenges.