Hiya Gorgeous!
Please be unproductive. Ha! Has anyone ever said that to you? I certainly haven’t received that luxurious request. Quite the opposite in fact. Google “how to be more productive” and you’ll get over 200 million results!
We all want to increase productivity because we think it will help us be successful, make an impact and have more freedom. If we could just be more productive, we’d finally be able to finish that project, get that promotion and do everything we’ve always wanted to do but never had time for. Right?
This probably hits especially close to home if you’re an entrepreneur like me. We’re always looking for new ways to optimize how we use our time—it’s not easy to grow a business while maintaining some semblance of a life outside of work! As a result, we often push ourselves way past our limits, sacrificing our well-being in the process.
Look, I’m all for being driven as long as it doesn’t drive us into the ground. But between the pressures coming from our work hard, play hard society AND the high expectations we have for ourselves, we simply create more than we can process. So we’re left wishing we had another hour, day, week, month, year… life.
Hmmm, there’s obviously something wrong with this picture.
Remember—we’re humans, NOT conveyor belts! Whaddya say we take a step back and look at productivity from a different angle? It’s meant to simplify our lives after all, not make them more exhausting and stressful.
The 5 practices I’m sharing today have helped me accomplish everything from simple daily tasks to building a thriving 7-figure business, all while maintaining a good work/life balance. They’ll help you use productivity to make space for pursuing your deepest desires and doing what makes you happy. Because what’s more important than that?
Here’s what you can expect to learn:
- How to be more productive at work AND at home—you can apply these tips in all areas of your life!
- Simple ways to maximize time and headspace for better focus, faster results and more joy.
- Why it’s even more essential than you might think to get clear on your priorities (and how to do it).
- What time off and self-care have to do with productivity.
- How to build in time for the unexpected challenges so they don’t throw you off course.
- How paying people to take care of themselves supercharges your own productivity.
Ready to discover these surprisingly simple, joyful productivity tips? Let’s dig in!
How to Be More Productive: 5 Stress-Free Tips
1. Design your ideal week.
If you want to learn how to be more productive, you’ve gotta start by examining how you manage and use your time. Because even if you have all the time in the world, it’s still possible to be unproductive.
When I say design your ideal week, I’m talking about more than just blocking off space in your calendar (although that IS part of it!). It means looking at the week ahead holistically—including your responsibilities and commitments, AND the stuff you do to support your mental and physical health—then laying out a schedule that optimizes the time you have.
Ask yourself these questions when designing your ideal week:
- What times do I want to go to bed and wake up? (A consistent schedule can help improve your sleep, too… win-win!)
- What days do I want to work, and what should my stop and start times be? (This one is especially key for all of you entrepreneurs and self-employed folks out there!)
- What existing commitments do I have that I can’t change? Are there any I can adjust to make room for new priorities?
- What does a productive day usually look like for me? When do I usually feel most alert and focused? When do I tend to get tired or have more trouble focusing on more complex/creative tasks?
- Where in my schedule would it be most beneficial to have breaks? What should my breaks look like (taking a walk, meditating, stretching…)?
- What tends to distract or pull me off task? Is there anything I can do to avoid or better manage those distractions?
- Where am I most productive? How can I set myself up for success with my work environment (consider lighting, noise, decor, how you sit/stand at your desk and so on).
Put together a first draft of your ideal week and try it out. Stick with it for at least a couple of weeks before you decide something needs to change (change often causes discomfort, so give yourself a chance to adapt). Then, don’t hesitate to make adjustments if something isn’t working or your needs change.
Remember, this is YOUR ideal week, not your boss’s, partner’s, kid’s, etc. It won’t always be perfect or easy, but it should be in alignment with your natural flow. Following your routine should give you a sense of security and freedom. *Queue deep sigh of relief… ahhhhhh.*
2. Take a “less but better” approach to your to-dos.
In our quest for productivity, we often end up piling more onto our plates before we’re able to metabolize what’s already there. Tell me if this sounds familiar: One day, you get a lot done and feel great about yourself. The next day, your list barely budges and you feel sucky. I think we’ve all been there.
Or maybe this scenario sounds more like you: If you have three things to do and you manage to accomplish them all, you feel awesome and do a happy dance. But if you have 15 things and only get those same three done, you feel like a bum who can barely make a dent.
You’re not the problem here, toots—it’s your to-do list. Forcing constant accomplishment is like expecting yourself to be an assembly line. So let’s talk about how to be more productive with a less but better mindset.
This practice is based on a concept from Greg McKeown’s book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (which I highly recommend, by the way… it changed my life!). He talks about doing less, but better, so you can make the highest possible contribution.
Keep your to-do list short and sweet, it’s that simple! Rather than loading it up with a mess of tasks you can’t possibly complete, focus on the stuff that really matters and moves the needle on your Big Sky Goals. A more manageable list = less stress = more energy for productivity in the areas you care about!
A less but better approach is about aiming for the big wins that create a domino effect in all areas of your life and/or business.
And if you need some help getting your priorities straight, you’re gonna love my new ebook…
Do you have dreams you want to explore (hobbies, side hustles, going back to school…), but can’t seem to find the time or headspace?
Do you have a full-fledged business idea that sets your soul on fire, but you think it’s too risky, too hard, too far out of reach?
Or do you already have a business, but you feel stuck and don’t know how to reach your ultimate potential?
If any of these sound familiar, you’re going to LOVE my new ebook, How to Build Your Business without Burning Out: 10 Keys for Avoiding the Mistakes Most Entrepreneurs Make. And you don’t have to be an entrepreneur to benefit from it—this resource is for anyone with an idea they want to pursue (no matter how big or how small) while balancing a day job, family commitments and staying well.
This free ebook covers the most critical lessons I’ve learned during my 15+ years of owning and operating a thriving business, including…
- How to overcome fear of failure so you can finally take the leap and start the business or project you’ve been dreaming about.
- What to focus on in the morning so you can prioritize the work that actually impacts your bottom line (and sideline the tasks that don’t!).
- How to grow your audience and customer base without breaking your back OR the bank by understanding what they really want and need.
Do yourself a favor and learn from my mistakes. The world needs you to share your magic… I can’t wait to see you shine even brighter than you already do!
Wow Kris! Both this blog and the love notes reading: nourish yourself hit the bullseye with me this week. University is tough and I’ve been bingeing on whatever I can get my hands on – especially TV series and choc chip cookies (Eek). You’ve kindly given me a reminder that I need to get my A into G and balance chilling out and being proactive. Helpful as always 🙂 Thank you
So glad it was helpful, Brooke! xo, kc
Headspace is really great, Trello too!
Thank you again Kris <3
Kris,
This blog really hit the spot at this time in my life. It is so helpful to read how others who are successful have such similar issues in their life. Thanks for being so preciously human! Thanks also for taking the time to give us all the great tips and links to very useful tools and talks!
So appreciate your work and lifestyle
Vivian
Glad it helped, Vivian. xo!
Love these tips…Love your sharing…. I feel ever so grateful for your insights! Thanks so much Kris! These productivity tips arrived at a perfect time xox
Really great tip. I am an artist and always have loads of projects on the go. Like you said, sometimes you can’t see the wood from the trees so end up getting less done!! So many ideas can be completely overwhelming and you don’t know where to start. So I am taking your advice and SIMPLIFYING!! We will see if that improves my productivity. I already feel a weight lifted off my shoulders 🙂
Thank you Kris! This blog hit home on so many levels. Personally I’ve become paralyzed from my To Do list….not enough getting done for a variety of circumstances and I can’t even seem to relax when I get a chance because I’m thinking about everything that I feel still needs to get done before winter hits! Also, at work we are just looking for project management tool – I’ll definitely be checking out your suggestions! Thank you for being the shiny start to my day! <3
Wonderful, Jaclyn! xo
Just what I needed to hear as I have a housewarming party and a big camping trip coming up in the next few weeks. Determining what HAS to be done versus the “nice to haves” to complete that perfect picture I have in my head helps to prioritize and takes some of the pressure off. Another thing that helps me when I’m in that space of feeling paralyzed by indecision or lack of motivation- just start doing SOMETHING-no matter how small. Could be dishes or paying a bill but it gets the ball rolling and sometimes I’ll just stop at that. I’ll throw some easy stuff on my list that is easily accomplished and makes me feel better about the day. Thanks!
Great tip, Katie.
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas, Kris. I am a teacher who is loving summer break, but dreading a return to the job I love because I allow it to take over my life. I will reread this in October when I feel like I’m drowning in work. I love you!
Oh Kris, how I wish I worked with YOU! It truly is exhausting working for an entity who doesn’t recognize valuable employees, is always asking for more, yet giving less – and who doesn’t appreciate how truly awesome I really am!
You give me the courage to carry on – while “they” may control my work schedule, they don’t control my life!
And you don’t have to work for them forever. There are more options available to you dear Donna. ox
Kris, once again you hit the nail on the head; you really struck a chord with me on this one. Living with cancer, I sometimes feel that I should be going, going, going… Living life to the fullest. What exactly does that mean? Sometimes I have to remind myself that it’s actually healthy to just slow…it…down. Rest. That’s a new concept for me, but I’m pretty sure that my body, mind and spirit are the better for it. I get so much inspiration from you and the ways in which you live your life, take care of yourself, and take care of others. I think for me, I need more quiet time at night to unwind. I end up staying up too late watching Rescue Me! 🙂 I would also love to start my day with some meditation as well (I usually find time to meditate later in the day). Thanks for these much-needed reminders. You’re a beautiful soul Kris! xoxo.
So happy you liked it, Samantha. xo, kc
Hi Kris,
Thanks so much, I really needed to hear this. I love the idea of smoothies for dinner, ha! In fact, I just had mango chia pudding for lunch, which I guess is a similar concept. And thanks for the Trello recommendation; I’ve just signed up and it looks great! I’ll be sharing one of your lovely tweets from this article.
Thank you Kris for that blog. it came just in time, i have been sooo stress with to do list and too much ideas, that i actually went to a full stop for 4 years, couldn’t handle it anymore. As of yesterday, thing happen in my life to line up with my decision to go back to being productive, creative and i was felling a bit anxious at how i will conquer this problem, this time. And first thing this morning i got inspire to read your blog!
Feel better now!
Life is magical! 🙂
Perfect timing, just had a conversation with my sister that she was overwhelmed.. Will do pass this along to her and re- read for myself. You are the best!!!
Hi there!
Well it is amazing as this topic seems to have been written thinking of me!
I have a lot of problems concerning stress and trying to do everything I would like to do and since my last burnout that seems absolutely impossible!
I haven´t still accepted the fact that my life needs to be diferente from what it was and the mere fact of stoping and do a meditation pause seems to do wonders “at my head”!
That is my major solution and my major passion!
Kris I want to work with you! You seem to be the perfect, absolute perfect boss for me! 🙂
And it is a dream of me to change what I do!
Thank you for being here for so many of us!
Thx! Kris and team — luv all your sharing, but this one may be a fav of mine for some time to come! When you’re ready to add “number 9” to your team, send me a note and I’m all over it! What an amazing experience it would be to help you support this much needed presence in the world!
I never comment, but felt I had to this morning — I found you because of my Mom who is a 20 year, 4 different and unique types THRIVER! (SO happy you replaced that “other word” in our vocabulary!) (Breast 20 yrs and 4 yrs rearing its ugly head again, Hodgkins and then Non-Hodgkins and lastly she conquered Lung in January) Yes, she is a living miracle! She is my hero and in her support we have utilized ALL that you have shared in every way to keep her thriving both physically and even more importantly, mentally!. She celebrates her 84th!!!! on the 28th next week and I can honestly say what we (both) have learned from you is such a gift and I am so thankful for you puttin it all out there to the world for all of us! God bless you, your team and your vision. with luv and devotion… Thank you dear Kris.
Happy birthday to your powerhouse, thriver mom! Thanks for sharing sweet Monica. Huge hug. xo kc
Before I opened this email I thought to myself ” you should not be opening emails you need to focus on the million things that need to be done!”. I feel God’s care for me in synchronistic moments! I will focus on one goal today, prime walls. Thank you Kris for your words of wisdom:).
Holy moly, talk about divine timing. This is something that has been on my brain a LOT lately, especially when trying to fit in time to run/expand my business while working a 9-5 job and teaching fitness classes. The more I make myself a priority and carve out time to meditate and be fully present the more I notice an ease in the flow of my day-to-day. I wish everyone I know would read this blog post, these are amazing tips. Thank you, thank you!
So excited you found it helpful, Kendalyn! xo, kc
Can you hire me out here in Kansas? 🙂
Love it! Love it! Love it! Girlfriend I just pulled out my not one list, but stack of scribbled lists. I crossed off a ton of stuff, condensed it all down to one short list and then took a nap. That’s what your blog did for me. Thanks!
Music to my ears!
Thank you for everything you share with us. This article was just what I needed today… Also, thank you for the suggestions about affordable, natural brands (makeup, hair, body, etc). I’m a busy, working mom and have wanted to use better-for-me products but felt I didn’t have the money just to try items out. Your suggestions have saved me time and money. I’ve tried three of the products you’ve mentioned and have loved them. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing Tanya, I love knowing these blogs have helped you!