9 Habit Stacking Routines to Boost Your Productivity

Behavior stacking is a strong software, particularly for busy entrepreneurs who want to maximise their time and effectivity. Whereas the subject has been mentioned in depth and well documented by James Clear, writer of Atomic Habits, the concept of behavior stacking is to stack up a brand new behavior on high of a present behavior.

So, for instance, Clear references a meditation behavior: “After I brew my morning espresso, I’ll meditate for one minute.” Or a gratitude behavior: “Earlier than I eat my first chew of dinner, I’ll say one factor I’m grateful for that day.”

I confess that I’m a multitasker until I am engaged on a deep undertaking or having conversations with family and friends. Under are among the go-to behavior stacks I observe often.

1. Morning digital detox and motion

I prefer to train very first thing within the morning, and through my exercises, I don’t use my telephone. I’m centered on my exercise, my music and ensuring I get essentially the most out of my time within the health club, which I totally get pleasure from.

It is also fantastic to kick off the morning off my telephone, not scrolling and keeping my mind clear, energized and my general self in a wholesome stream state. Morning routines are essential for productiveness and positivity.

Associated: How to Master Your Morning Routine

2. Driving and centered time with youngsters or associate

I converse with many mother and father who drive their youngsters to high school and discuss how their youngsters are glued to their telephones. Whereas I do take enterprise and private calls whereas I drive solo, I’ve all the time prioritized conversations with my two boys and husband after we are within the automobile collectively.

Most of us have chaotic days, and the time within the automobile collectively is a pleasant time to catch up, discuss in regards to the day and take heed to music collectively. As a substitute of asking your youngsters, “How was faculty?” attempt one thing extra like, “Who made you snicker at present?” Or “What was the good class at present?”

3. Podcasts and protein

I prioritize nutrition and am not one to skip meals. Recently, my breakfast is a skillet-sized chocolate protein pancake with no sugar and about 50g of protein. It is principally uncooked cacao powder, protein powder and egg whites or eggs.

Whereas I make this, I normally take calls, normally inner or extra informal calls that don’t require me to be in entrance of a display. I additionally make amends for learning via podcasts. Most significantly, you need to kick off your day with protein as it’s the greatest gasoline to your mind and physique and can assist forestall poor consuming habits.

4. Daylight, steps and artistic pondering

I like to mix strolling with brainstorming and pondering, and though it may be tough, I schedule a number of quick walks the place I do not make a name, take heed to a podcast or play music. As a substitute, I believe. This ‘telephone utterly off’ behavior stack ensures wholesome bodily exercise and helpful daylight (when the solar is out!) and normally results in artistic concepts or problem-solving.

This behavior can also be an efficient train to do with a piece colleague. I’ve provide you with a number of new concepts or solved issues whereas on a stroll or hike. The endorphins and movement are confirmed to help this. For those who actually wish to maximize this behavior stack, plan this no-phone stroll instantly after a meal, as this may assist forestall the post-lunch vitality stoop.

5. Studying and consuming

I am not one to take a Zoom name whereas I eat my meals. I do know sufficient about digestion and my very own intestine well being that I really feel greatest after I eat slowly, put my fork down in between bites, and genuinely benefit from the meals in entrance of me. You’ll, too, alongside making higher meals decisions and here’s why. As days are packed, it is powerful to seek out time simply to eat and do nothing, so I select to learn by way of longer stories, paperwork and even emails whereas I eat.

Associated: 5 Eating Habits That Rewire Your Brain for Success

6. Digicam-ready and digital assembly days

Once I overview my schedule for the weeks forward, I look to plan for a few days per week the place I stack my video calls and conferences and within the morning after I can. These are the times I’m a bit extra camera-ready with hair and make-up for prospect shopper pitching, shows, webinars and shopper replace calls.

Whereas I’ve no subject throwing again my hair after a exercise and hopping on a Zoom call, I really feel extra skilled and assured after I’ve cleaned up with my hair and a bit make-up. Getting dressed and camera-ready requires an additional 20-minute block of time for me that, on a non-video name day, generally is a 20-minute block of time to take a yoga or stretch break, go for a stroll or spend a bit further time with household. Stacking video calls additionally makes for higher time administration and effectivity, as you aren’t distracted shifting from deep work to a name after which again to deep work.

7. Mobility and mindfulness

Who has 5-20 minutes to do mobility and mindfulness in the course of the day? Monitor our scrolling habits, and you may shortly study that the majority of us do! I prioritize mobility to maintain injury-free from my exercises and particularly how a lot I sit or stand each day in entrance of my display. I take deep breaths whereas stretching and express gratitude for my physique’s capability to maneuver and be wholesome.

Heidi Zak, Founder and CEO of Third Love, a number one girls’s intimate attire firm centered on physique positivity, inclusivity, consolation and match, listens to podcasts post-workout whereas she stretches. Her newest exercise and vitality hack throughout the day is to do ten air squats each hour. Who want to be a part of her?

Associated: 3 Ways Mindfulness Can Make You a Better Entrepreneur

8. Purple gentle remedy and stretching

Purple gentle remedy has been confirmed to help circulation, blood stream, scale back irritation and enhance temper. From mats to units, there are a lot of purple gentle remedy units on the market throughout totally different worth factors.

I have a tendency to make use of my purple gentle remedy mat, made by HigherDOSE, within the evenings for 10-Quarter-hour (even in between child drop-offs) or whereas dinner bakes within the oven. I meditate or stretch on it or generally put my legs up the wall, which is great for circulation and well being.

9. Considering of others and letting them know

After I drop youngsters off in school or whereas headed to select them up at observe, I look to name a complete of three individuals per day to verify in on them, inform them I am excited about them or supply help. It is uncommon for individuals to name one another the way in which we used to, and you would be shocked at what number of will say, “That is so considerate,” or “It is so good to listen to from you,” or “You made my day by calling.”

Thoughtfulness and kindness go a good distance. Do not forget that household, sturdy friendships and camaraderie amongst staff members make for happier and extra productive human beings. Let your folks, colleagues and previous shoppers know you’re excited about them. You could shock your self with how good “spreading sunshine” could make you’re feeling, together with new potential enterprise alternatives that might emerge from reconnecting with others. Subsequent time you concentrate on somebody, ship them a textual content or name them and allow them to know!

I encourage you to attempt one in every of these behavior stacks or create one in every of your personal. Do you wish to learn extra? Put a e book in your pillow and plan to go to mattress Quarter-hour earlier. Would you like a much less chaotic morning? Pack lunches the evening earlier than or have in a single day oats or hard-boiled eggs available within the fridge.

Be particular and set a selected cue for the way you will stack a behavior. Begin small. For instance, a 10-minute stroll after lunch does wonders to your digestion and metabolism. Enlist a good friend for accountability and provides your self a timeline, akin to 30 days. For those who persistently begin a brand new behavior stack that advantages your general well being and productiveness, reward your self. You might also discover the reward to be success, satisfaction and the way significantly better you’re feeling along with your new behavior stack.