If there’s anything people struggle with it’s being productive in their day-to-day life.

I’ve been successfully working for myself for over a year now, and I’ve gone through several different types of routines and utilized many effective strategies to get to where I’m currently at.

I’ve learned that being “busy” is not the same thing as being productive, and checking off 12+ things on your to-do list doesn’t actually mean you’re any closer to your goals.

I’ve had weeks where I worked less than 15 hours and produced high-quality content that brought in a fantastic income. I’ve also had 40+ hour weeks in which I got little to nothing done.

So if you’re looking to maximize your productivity, but you’re feeling a bit lost, here are a few things I personally do that have drastically changed my life.

1. I always work with an end goal in mind

I hate feeling scrambled. The idea of going through the day with no clarity bugs the crap out of me because it’s one of the easiest ways to not only let your day go to waste but it decreases how effective you’re going to be.

Before I get my day started, I already have a plan of the things I need to get done. I know I have to film or edit a certain number of YouTube videos. I know I have to reach a certain word count. I know I have to pitch a particular magazine.

Having an end goal to your day will help you stay organized and focused. I like to write down 3 things I want to accomplish every day, and I stick to 3 because I want to be realistic. If you try to cram 10+ things into your list, you’re only going to feel overwhelmed.

For instance, if I know writing is what pays my bills, I’m going to prioritize it first thing daily. If I know creating YouTube videos will help me build an audience and grow my brand, I put that on my list.

You have to be selective about the things you choose to put on your list. Make sure you’re doing things that are helping you make progress and not just keeping you busy.

Once I accomplish my 3 critical tasks, I’m done for the day. This helps me maintain a work-life balance and it keeps me focused on what is most important.

2. I don’t waste time being reactive to interruptions

Something I used to struggle with is allowing interruptions to take over my day.

If I got an unpleasant phone call or email — I would drop whatever I was doing and put all of my energy and focus on that instead of focusing on my 3 tasks for the day.

A few weeks ago, I had a package get delivered to the wrong address. I discovered this halfway through a workout and instead of completing my workout and leaving the issue for later, I immediately jumped into reactive mode.

I sat in that gym trying to contact customer service for over an hour, then I walked home and sat at my desk writing back and forth with a rep for an additional three hours because they couldn’t locate the package.

I was pissed off about not receiving the package, I was mad for wasting my workout, and I was even more upset that I didn’t get a chance to get everything I had to get done that day completed.

It was a frustrating issue; I did lose a package, it was $100 wasted — but it was also an inconvenience that I could have dealt with later on in the day. I didn’t need to waste my most productive hours trying to figure out where my missing package was.

When things like this come up in your life, unless it’s an emergency, write it down on a sticky note so you wouldn’t forget about it and leave it for later.

Don’t let inconveniences and interruptions that are easily fixed determine what your overall day is going to look like. Have a plan at the start of the day and do your best to stick to it.

3. I keep track of my time using apps like Clockify

I’ve had days where I would spend 6+ hours editing a 15 minute YouTube video that would normally take me less than 2 hours to edit.

I’ve also had days where I’d spend hours writing and re-writing and editing the same article when in reality, I know I don’t need more than an hour or two to complete a rough draft.

A simple task that doesn’t require that much time can quickly turn into an all-day thing when you’re not focused and effective. Instead of honing in on your work, you’re stopping mid-sentence to check Instagram.

Instead of turning your phone off while you’re working, you keep it right next to you so you could keep up with the latest Twitter updates.

After months of doing that, I quickly realized my days were going to waste, but the amount of work I was producing was not reflective of the time spent at my desk.

I started using apps like Clockify to track my work, and it really helps because I feel guilty scrolling through social media when I have the timer running, and technically, I should be writing according to it.

It’s an overall great way to hold yourself accountable, and it showed me that I could have workdays that end within two or three hours if I actually do what I’m supposed to be doing.

4. I prioritize myself first

I take care of my overall health. I don’t want to be limited in life in any shape or form, and being healthy is the most important thing in the world.

I focus on moving my body daily. Whether that be going for a workout at the gym, signing up for a hot yoga class, going for a run, hike, or taking a long walk after sitting all day.

I don’t restrict myself. I’m not someone who avoids cookies and never takes a sip of alcohol, but I’m mindful of what I put into my body. I know that my brain and body can’t properly function if I don’t fuel myself with the right things.

Being healthy isn’t easy, but it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and it will benefit you in countless ways, including your productivity levels.

5. I genuinely love what I do

Not everybody gets to do what they love on a daily basis. I’m fortunate enough to be able to wake up when I want, drink my coffee from my favorite Harry Potter mug, and work from the comforts of my home.

But it’s all because of how much work I put in to be able to have this sort of lifestyle. I’ve always focused on the bigger picture, and it motivated me to work hard and push past my limits in order to get to the other side.

When friends of mine tell me they struggle with productivity, it’s either because they hate what they do or they lack discipline. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy your work, but you struggle with discipline, self-reflecting on your weaknesses and working on them will help your productivity.

If you’re a very disciplined individual, but you hate what you do, ask yourself what can be done about that?

I spent years working at tech companies in various roles that I genuinely disliked. I asked coworkers to shadow them in their roles to see if what they did would spark interest.

When my ex-boss learned I was interested in writing, he moved me into editorial to see if that interested me. You have to try new things to see what you’re good at and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.

Eventually, I realized working for myself was the best option. I wanted to set my schedule, I wanted the freedom to write about whatever I wanted, and I wanted to be able to share my life and help others without having to worry about going into my 9–5.

My productivity is high because I do what I love, and sure I have my bad days (doesn’t everyone?), but in that case, I just suck it up and move right along.

Takeaway:

Being productive daily isn’t realistic, we all have our bad days. The best thing you can do is figure out what works for you by trying new things. If you’re feeling lost and frustrated, try one of the things I mentioned above.

• Focus on 3 critical tasks daily. When you work with an end goal in mind, you’re honed in on doing what moves the needle.

• Don’t waste time being reactive to interruptions. Have a plan for the day and try your best to stick to it.

• Monitor how you utilize your time. You’d be surprised by how much time you waste scrolling when you should be working.

• Prioritize your health. Fuel yourself with the right things and your mind and body will thank you for it.

• Love what you do.

All you can really do is put your best foot forward and understand it won’t always be easy, but you only get one life, so you might as well try to do what you love, assess your weakness, try your best to work on them and keep the ball rolling.