Alright, so today we’re diving into the idea of mastering your daily routine to really boost your efficiency. Now, I know that “routine” is kind of a loaded word. Some people hear it and think, oh great, another person telling me how to live every single second of my day. But this isn’t about turning your life into a military schedule. What we’re going for is something that works with your life, your habits, and actually sets you up for success without all the stress and rigidity.

Let’s start with mornings because, for most people, the way you start your day really sets the tone. Now, there are all these classic routines out there. You know, people waking up at 5 a.m., ice baths, journaling, meditating, working out—all before breakfast. And hey, if that works for you, amazing. But the key point isn’t necessarily what you do in the morning; it’s about choosing habits that put you in a productive mindset. It could be as simple as drinking a glass of water first thing to hydrate or spending ten minutes writing down your top goals for the day. Those little actions can give you a sense of purpose and direction right from the get-go.

One thing I’ll say about routines is that they really need to be built around your personal energy levels. So, take a week or two and just notice when you feel the most alert or focused during the day. Some people hit their stride early in the morning, others around noon, and some in the late afternoon. You want to schedule your most demanding tasks—stuff that requires a lot of focus—during those high-energy windows. Let’s say you find that you’re sharpest from 9 to 11 a.m. That’s the time to tackle your big projects. Block off that window, make it sacred, and let the smaller, easier tasks, like emails or admin stuff, fall into the low-energy times of your day.

And let’s talk about the power of “batching” tasks. Batching is all about grouping similar tasks together so you’re not bouncing around between different types of work. For example, if you have a lot of small things to do, like answering emails or making quick calls, try grouping them into one time slot. This way, you’re not constantly shifting gears, which can be a huge time-waster. The same thing goes for creative work or strategic planning—give yourself a chunk of time where that’s all you’re doing. This helps you get into a flow state and get a lot more done in a shorter time frame.

Now, I know meetings can be a big part of people’s days, and let’s be honest—meetings have a way of derailing your productivity. A lot of meetings can actually be emails, right? So if you have control over your schedule, try to limit meetings to certain days or times of day. Maybe you keep your mornings free for focused work and schedule meetings in the afternoon when you have a little less energy to dive deep into projects. If you’re in a role where you have to take meetings throughout the day, you can still make them as efficient as possible. Start on time, have a clear agenda, and keep it moving. Respect everyone’s time, especially your own.

Another trick that I see working for a lot of people is using time-blocking, which is a little different from batching. With time-blocking, you’re literally setting aside a block of time for each activity in your day. So, it’s a little more structured, but you’re giving yourself a set amount of time to get something done. It might look like this: 30 minutes for emails, an hour for focused work, 15 minutes for a quick break. The magic of time-blocking is that it gives you structure and it gives you a natural sense of urgency, which keeps you moving.

And speaking of breaks—don’t skip them. We often think we’re going to be more productive if we just push through and keep grinding, but science tells us that our brains just don’t work that way. Studies show that taking regular breaks can actually improve focus and prevent burnout. You don’t have to take long breaks—just five to ten minutes every hour or so can make a huge difference. Get up, stretch, grab a coffee, go for a quick walk. Something that takes you away from your screen for a bit.

One thing that can be a real game-changer for routines is using the end of your day as a mini reset for the next day. So, before you log off or end work for the day, spend a few minutes organizing your workspace and making a to-do list for tomorrow. Write down your top three priorities for the day ahead. This not only helps you jump right into work the next day, but it also lets you mentally disconnect in the evening because you know you have a plan. You can relax a little more because you’re not carrying a mental load of “what do I need to do tomorrow” all night.

Now, routines are awesome, but they need to stay flexible. Life happens, things come up, and the last thing you want is to feel like a failure because you couldn’t follow your routine perfectly one day. Instead, aim for consistency, not perfection. If you miss a day or a task, don’t sweat it—just pick it up again when you can.

For anyone looking to go deeper into productivity and routines, I recommend checking out James Clear’s Atomic Habits. He’s got some amazing insights into how small, consistent changes can build into a powerful routine. The book is packed with practical tips, and it’s an easy read that’s really motivating. You can find it here: Atomic Habits by James Clear.

So, just to wrap up—your routine should serve you, not the other way around. Focus on habits that energize you, find your most productive times, and protect them. Use tools like batching and time-blocking to stay on track, and make sure to take regular breaks to keep your focus sharp. And remember: building an efficient routine is a process, so don’t worry if it takes some time to get it right. As long as you’re moving in the right direction, you’re doing great.

And that’s it—some thoughts on creating a daily routine that actually works for you. Thanks for listening!