I used to believe that being busy meant being productive. I was wrong.
For years, I was stuck on a hamster wheel. I’d fill my days with tasks, emails, and endless scrolling, only to collapse at night feeling exhausted and unfulfilled. It felt like I was running a marathon every day but never crossing a finish line. My to-do list was a monster that just kept growing no matter how much I fed it. I was drowning in good intentions and poor execution.
If that sounds familiar, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. My journey from a life of bad habits like binge eating and laziness to a balanced and productive one wasn't about finding a magic bullet. It was about building a better system. It was about learning how to work with my energy not against it.
This isn’t about hustling 24/7. It’s about working smarter so you can have more time for the things that truly matter. Here are the 10 steps that changed everything for me.
1. Know Your Big ‘Why’
Before you even think about a to-do list, ask yourself why you’re doing it. What’s the bigger picture? Is it to provide for your family? To build a business you believe in? To honor the gifts God has given you? When your work is connected to a deep purpose, you find a source of motivation that discipline alone can’t provide. Without a ‘why’ every task feels like a chore. With one, it becomes a mission.
2. Plan Tomorrow Tonight
This is a simple game-changer. Take five minutes before you shut down for the evening to write down your top 1-3 priorities for the next day. Don’t create a huge, intimidating list. Just identify the most important things. This does two things. It clears your mind so you can rest properly. It also means you wake up with a clear plan, ready to go, instead of wasting precious morning energy deciding where to start.
3. Do the Hardest Thing First
We all have that one task on our list that we dread. The one we keep pushing to the afternoon, then to the next day. My advice? Do that thing first. Get it out of the way when your willpower and focus are at their peak. Finishing your most challenging task before 10 a.m. creates an incredible sense of accomplishment. The rest of the day feels lighter and easier in comparison.
4. Embrace Short Bursts of Deep Work
I used to think I needed an eight-hour block of time to be productive. The truth is, most of that time was spent procrastinating and getting distracted. Now, I work in short, focused bursts of 2–4 hours. That’s it. During that time, my phone is in another room, notifications are off, and I am completely focused on the task at hand. You would be shocked by what you can accomplish in two hours of true, uninterrupted focus. It’s more than most people get done in a full day of distracted work. This one shift gave me my life back.
5. Create a No-Distraction Zone
Your environment matters. You can’t expect to do deep work if your phone is buzzing every five minutes and you have ten tabs open on your browser. Create a physical and digital space that is built for focus. For me, that means a clean desk, only the tabs I need for my current task, and my phone on silent and out of sight. Protect your attention like it’s your most valuable asset. Because it is.
6. Take Real Breaks
When it's time for a break, take a real break. Don’t just switch from your work screen to your phone screen. That isn’t rest. It’s just a different kind of stimulation. Get up. Stretch your legs. Walk outside for a few minutes. Grab a glass of water. Look out a window. Give your mind and your eyes a genuine chance to reset. A five-minute real break is more refreshing than a 20-minute scroll through social media.
7. Focus on One Thing at a Time
Multitasking is a myth. What you’re actually doing is switching rapidly between tasks, and that switching costs you time and mental energy. It leads to more mistakes and less quality work. Instead, pick one task and see it through to completion before moving to the next. You’ll work faster and the quality of your work will improve dramatically.
8. Celebrate Your Small Wins
This is so important. When I started my journey to lose over 110 pounds, the end goal felt impossible. I couldn’t focus on the 110 pounds. I had to focus on the next right choice. Choosing a healthy meal was a win. Going for a walk instead of sitting on the couch was a win. Losing one pound was a win. I celebrated each one. The same applies to your workflow. Did you finish that hard task? Acknowledge it. Did you stay focused for an hour? Give yourself credit. These small celebrations build momentum and keep you from burning out.
9. End Your Workday with a Clear Stop
Just as you need a clear start to your day, you need a clear end. Decide on a time when you will stop working and stick to it. Shut down your computer. Tidy your workspace. This signals to your brain that the workday is over and it’s time to transition to rest, family, or other parts of your life. Without this boundary, work will bleed into every corner of your existence.
10. End Your Day with Gratitude
Before bed, I take a moment to reflect and give thanks. I thank God for the day, for the strength to work, and for the progress I made, no matter how small. This isn’t about productivity. It’s about perspective. It grounds me and reminds me that my value isn’t tied to my output. It helps me see my work not just as a series of tasks, but as an opportunity to use the gifts I’ve been given. This simple act of gratitude puts everything in its proper place and prepares my heart for a peaceful rest.
Building an effective workflow is a journey, not a destination. You will have good days and bad days. The goal isn't perfection. The goal is progress. It’s about laying one brick at a time, patiently and consistently, to build a life that is not just productive, but peaceful and full of purpose.
So, what’s one small thing you can do today to make your workflow just a little bit better?
