She Strengthens

Embracing My Own Productivity Style

As someone who values productivity and hard work, I’ve always been skeptical of the “Successful People Do This” trend. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen it touted as a one-size-fits-all solution, or maybe it’s because I’ve had to navigate my own unique challenges to achieve success. Whatever the reason, I’ve come to realize that what works for others might not work for me – and that’s okay.

Sleeping on Success

One habit I’ll never adopt is the “four hours of sleep a night” mantra. While it’s true that many successful people have achieved greatness on minimal rest, I know that I need my seven hours to function at my best. And if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t say no to eight or nine hours of sleep either! Knowing my own boundaries and limitations is key to my productivity, and I’m not willing to compromise on sleep.

Rising to the Challenge

Waking up early can be incredibly satisfying, and I do enjoy getting a head start on my day. However, I’ve learned that pushing myself to wake up at the crack of dawn every single day isn’t sustainable for me. Instead, I prefer a balance of early mornings and later starts – it’s all about finding what works best for my unique rhythm.

Fueling My Day

While some people swear by breakfast as the most important meal of the day, I’ve found that skipping it can actually help me get more work done. Of course, this doesn’t mean I neglect my nutrition – I just prefer to fuel up later in the morning. And when I do eat, I like to mix things up and try new recipes. Sorry, smoothie enthusiasts!

The Power of Positive Thinking (Sort Of)

Visualizing success is a popular habit among high achievers, but for me, it’s not quite that simple. Due to my personal struggles with intrusive thoughts, I’ve learned to focus on avoiding negative visualizations rather than actively seeking out positive ones. It’s not ideal, but it’s what works for me.

Reading Between the Lines

I know that reading is essential for growth and development, and I wish I could devour books like some of my friends do. Unfortunately, I’m just not that person – at least, not yet. While I do enjoy reading, I’ve come to accept that I’ll never be the first to finish the latest bestseller. Instead, I focus on setting realistic reading goals and exploring different formats, like long-form journalism.

Working with Intention

The “work like someone is coming to take it away from you” mentality can be motivating, but for me, it’s essential to draw a line between drive and burnout. I believe in staying humble and pushing myself to work hard, but I also know that panic and stress can be major productivity killers.

Staying Focused (Mostly)

Finally, I’ve tried implementing habits like checking email and social media in batches, but it’s just not my style. I do go hours without checking my accounts, and it does make me more productive – but I’m not willing to sacrifice the occasional Instagram post or email exchange for the sake of efficiency. Instead, I focus on finding a balance that works for me, and using tools like timed writes to stay on track.