Sick of trying to cram yourself into someone else’s morning routine? Yeah, same.
If you’ve ever googled “how to be more productive” and found yourself spiralling into a rabbit hole of 5am cold plunges, bulletproof coffee, and colour-coded calendars, it’s no wonder you feel like you’re doing it wrong.
Here’s the truth: productivity is personal.
And all those “must-do” strategies? Most of them are either designed for 25-year-old tech bros or people with zero responsibilities outside of work. So if you’re juggling clients, content, and cleaning the house – or pivoting your business at midlife – you need a rhythm that actually fits your life.
This post is your permission slip to ditch the one-size-fits-all productivity advice and start designing your day around how you work best.
1. Know Your Natural Rhythm (and Stop Fighting It)
Morning person? Night owl? Midday napper?
Instead of trying to force yourself into someone else’s ideal schedule, start paying attention to when your energy naturally peaks and dips.
- High energy in the morning? Tackle the deep work then.
- Afternoon crash zone? Schedule admin or a walk.
- Creative brain at 9pm? Lean into that late-night flow.
You’ll get more done with less resistance when you stop fighting your body’s natural rhythm.
2. Choose a Planning Style That Works for You
You don’t need a full-blown planner system with stickers and washi tape (unless you love that). Your method should help you feel clear and in control, not overwhelmed by to-do list Tetris.
Some options:
- Time blocking: Great if your day has lots of meetings or moving parts.
- Top 3 priorities: Perfect for keeping focus simple.
- Themed days: Useful for batching similar tasks (e.g. Marketing Mondays).
Try one for a week and tweak it. This is about experimentation, not perfection.
3. Break the Rules (Guilt-Free)
Here are some productivity “rules” you officially have permission to break:
- You don’t have to wake up at 5am to be successful.
- You can check email in the afternoon if that suits you.
- You don’t need to work 8-hour days to get big results.
- Multi-tasking isn’t a badge of honour.
- Rest is productive.
Your business. Your rules. Your pace.
4. Build In Space (On Purpose)
Productivity isn’t just about doing stuff. It’s about creating the space to do the right stuff well.
- Block out buffer time between tasks.
- Schedule breaks like meetings.
- Say “no” to anything that clutters your day.
This breathing room is where clarity, creativity, and actual magic happen. Don’t underestimate it.
5. Use Tools That Fit You, Not the Other Way Around
Don’t force yourself to use apps and tools just because someone on YouTube swears by them. If your brain works best with a pen and paper, that’s fine. If a digital task manager makes life easier, fab. If you want to use sticky notes and a journal? Go for it.
Your system doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to work for you.
Final Thought: Productivity Isn’t About Doing More. It’s About Doing You.
When you stop trying to keep up with other people’s systems and start paying attention to how you function best, everything shifts. You feel more grounded. More in control. Less like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
So let this be the week you ditch the guilt, tune into your own rhythm, and start designing your days in a way that supports your energy, your goals, and your life.
Because that’s the kind of productivity that actually lasts.
Want more support to work smarter, your way?
Check out the Nexus Journal System for tools and insert packs that help you create a rhythm that works for you – not some productivity guru on TikTok.
And if you’re ready to connect with other heart-led women doing business their way, come join us in The Collective. We’re figuring it out together, one imperfect day at a time.
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