How to be more focussed and productive
While most people want to be focused, sharp at work and productive only some are able to do so and be successful. But have you ever wondered what sets successful and productive people apart from the rest? It is their daily habits that help them stay more focussed at work.
On the contrary, some tiny bad habits sneak in like productivity thieves, stealing focus without warning. That “quick scroll” becomes hours lost, coffee crashes tank afternoons, and perfectionism paralyzes progress. Good news: Spotting these traps helps unlocks better execution and productivity. Here we list some daily habits that secretly kill your productivity and how to fix them:
Multitasking myth
Your brain hates juggling – science proves multitasking drops IQ 15 points temporarily. That email-tab-meeting-tab-text-tab loop? Pure illusion. Studies show task-switchers take 23 minutes to refocus per distraction. Fix: Single-task blocks. Phone on Do Not Disturb, one app open, 25-min Pomodoro timer. Reward: 5-min stretch. Feel resistance? Normal – brains rewire in 21 days. Result? Projects finish faster, stress plummets. Pro move: Batch similar tasks (emails 4-4:30pm). Watch deadlines disappear as flow state kicks in.
Notification overload
Considering the digitally connected world we live in, have you noticed how you often get distracted by unnecessary messages and texts? Notification overload is a real attention seeker, and it can make you lose precious time easily. To fix this, take out time for deep work without your phone or connectivity on chats via email. Only attend urgent calls. And see how deep work without any distractions can improve your focus, attention and productivity.
No morning routine
How you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Without structure, willpower depletes by noon. So make it a point to get up early, exercise and have slow start to the day. This morning routine will give you control over your schedule, thus saving your time and attention from unnecessary work.
No weekly review
Blind weeks = repeated mistakes. Fix: Sunday 30-min audit: Wins celebrated, lessons logged, next week planned. Block calendar ruthlessly. Unfinished tasks? Delegate/delete. Metrics track progress (words written, deals closed). Patterns emerge – weak spots targeted. Closure breeds confidence; planning prevents chaos. Compound effect: Monthly mastery achieved.
Perfectionism paralysis
“Good enough” beats “perfect never”. 80% writers never publish chasing flawless. Fix: 80/20 rule – ship 80% solutions. Time-box tasks (90 mins max). “Draft” mindset first pass. Feedback loops beat isolation. Celebrate “done” over “perfect.” Progress > perfection every time. Mindset shift: Excellence evolves through iteration, not initial genius.
