3 Tips for Being More Productive

Respect your natural rhythm to boost productivity

For years, I tried to wake up at 5 a.m. because I thought it would make me more productive. It didn’t work. Then I learned about chronotypes—your body’s natural rhythm—and everything changed.

What if the secret to getting more done wasn’t doing more, but doing it at the right time for you?

Here are three science-based tips to improve your productivity, and three traps to avoid along the way.

Tip 1: Discover Your Chronotype

Your chronotype is your natural biological clock. It determines when your energy peaks and dips during the day.

The 3 main types:

• Early birds – most productive in the morning

• Intermediates – steady energy throughout the day

• Night owls – more focused in the evening

  
  

How to find yours? Track your energy every hour for a week. You’ll start seeing your natural pattern.

Tip 2: Plan Your Day Around Your Energy

Once you know your chronotype, schedule smarter:

• Do complex tasks when your energy is highest.

• Do lighter tasks during energy dips (emails, admin).

• Fun fact: Mild fatigue boosts creativity—your brain is more open to new ideas when it’s not on autopilot.

  
  

Try this: Rearrange your daily priorities for one week and notice the results.

Tip 3: Build Strong Routines

A solid routine helps your brain run more efficiently—less thinking, more doing.

Four steps to building better habits:

• Make it obvious

  • Example: Keep a water bottle in sight to remind you to drink water.

• Make it attractive

  • Example: After every workout, reward yourself with something enjoyable (like a massage chair).

• Make it easy

  • Example: Start small with a walk before you run. Five minutes is better than nothing.

• Make it satisfying

  • Example: Check tasks off your list or share your goals with a friend for accountability.

Three traps to avoid

Trap 1: Fighting your natural rhythm

Solution: Gradually align your schedule with your chronotype.

Impact: Less fatigue, better work-life balance.

Trap 2: Multitasking and notifications

Solution: Use the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute break.

Impact: You’ll finish the day with real progress and less stress.

Trap 3: Oversized to-do lists

Solution: Use the Eisenhower Matrix:

• Urgent and important → Do now

• Important but not urgent → Schedule

• Urgent but not important → Delegate

• Not urgent and not important → Eliminate

Impact: Clear priorities, calmer mind.

Final thoughts

Working with your body, not against it, is one of the smartest things you can do.

So ask yourself: What’s the first step you’ll take to respect your natural rhythm today?