8 Habits That Ruined My Productivity

I planned to write a simple report. 

I told myself it would take an hour. But I spent 30 minutes tweaking the fonts and another 45 minutes checking my phone.
 

Before I knew it, two hours had passed, and the report was still half done.

Not only this when I look at my to-do list‌, I haven’t crossed off nearly as much as I thought I would.

I used to think I was busy, but I realized my habits were the real problem.
 

Sadly, if there is one thing we underestimate, it is the impact of our habits in life. There are a lot of bad habits many of us do every day and they can hinder our productivity. And it's important to get control of these habits that ruin our productivity. 

Here I’ll share eight habits that have ruined my productivity and how I worked to fix them. You’ll probably recognize a few in your own life too.

1. Multitasking:

I don’t care how much you are obsessed with multitasking, but for me, it's not even a thing now. We have listed down multitasking in our CV or resume in the skills section and it has been getting praise and considered as strength for ages.

It seemed like I was accomplishing so much. But in reality, nothing was getting done well. It took me a while to realize that doing one thing at a time and doing it well is far more effective than trying to do everything at once.

Research shows that multitasking slows down our productivity by 40%. Moreover, our brains can’t focus on several things at once. 

Multitasking doesn’t make us more productive; it leaves us tired and less effective. In fact, multitasking means doing similar tasks together or doing things that are close to each other. 

For instance, if you are writing a blog, spend a good amount of time writing that blog post. Don’t respond to emails or call your friends etc. in between.

Look for tasks that have shared elements, flow, and consistency. Otherwise, it will spread your focus too thin, leading to errors and stress. 

2. Being A Perfectionist:

I used to be a perfectionist, and it drove me crazy.

One time, I was working on a simple blog post that should’ve taken me almost 2 to 3 hours. Instead, I spent nearly the whole day tweaking the layout, rephrasing sentences, and second-guessing every word. By the end, I was exhausted, and I still wasn’t happy with it.

Perfectionism can be a huge productivity killer. I’m not saying you shouldn’t aim for the best, but it is also important to keep track of the time you are spending on a task. 

Also, I understand it’s easy to get caught up in making things flawless, but ‘good enough’ is all you need. Trying to perfect everything can slow you down and make you less productive. 

3. Being Self-Critical: 

I was my own toughest critic. Every time I made a mistake, I’d beat myself up about it. 

I’d replay the mistake over and over in my head, thinking it meant I wasn’t good enough. This made me hesitant to take on new projects, and I missed out on opportunities because I was too busy doubting myself.

If you’re like me, you might be your own toughest critic. Being too hard on yourself can slow you down and make you anxious.

Research shows that people who have high self-esteem get better results in the long run. They are good at work and have better relationships and mental health. 

Hence, thinking positively for yourself is productive and has a good impact on your life. 

4. Having No Boundaries: 

Are you also like me, who hesitates to say ‘no’? And end up saying ‘yes’ to everything that comes your way? 

Let me make it clear to you, it is the worst thing that you can do to yourself. It is like you are letting other people set your priorities.  

If you feel like not doing anything, just say ‘no’ and communicate it clearly and politely. You don’t need to feel embarrassed for not doing everything that comes your way.  

Without boundaries, it becomes so hard to focus on your own needs and goals, which can affect your happiness and well-being.

Therefore, learn to set clear boundaries. It will help you protect your time and energy and allow you to prioritize what truly matters in your life.

5. Rushing In The Morning:

Mornings were always a chaotic mess for me. I’d hit snooze on my alarm multiple times, throw on clothes, and then rush out the door. Even once, I was so rushed that I left my phone at home.

Rushing around made me feel stressed and unfocused. Instead of starting my day on a positive note, I was already behind before I even began working. It felt like the chaos of the morning followed me all day.

Then I started to take a few extra minutes the night before to plan my outfit and pack my bag. It has helped me start my day calmly. And now I’m focused and productive throughout the day.

6. Skipping Breakfast:

I used to skip breakfast all the time, thinking I didn’t need it or didn’t have time. But by mid-morning, I’d feel tired and unfocused. 

Skipping breakfast can have several negative effects on your health and well-being. When you skip breakfast, it’s like trying to drive a car with no fuel. You might get started, but you won’t get far before you run out of energy.

We wake up with low blood sugar levels in the morning. Therefore, eating a balanced breakfast provides the energy and nutrients our body needs to start the day right. So it’s important not to overlook this meal.

7. Working Through Lunch Break:

I was habitual to munching on snacks at my desk. But instead of feeling productive, I often ended up feeling drained.

I worked straight through lunch and ended up with a headache by the afternoon because I had barely moved or taken a proper break.

Skipping lunch can seem like a good way to save time, but it actually hurts your focus and energy. Without a proper break, you end up less productive and more stressed.

Your body needs a break to recharge, and missing that break can hurt your performance later.

8. Working Too Much Without A Break: 

I was the person who remained at her desk, thinking that if I just kept pushing through, I’d get more done.

Until one day, I worked straight through the afternoon without a single break. By the evening, I was exhausted and my work quality had dropped. I realized that not taking breaks left me feeling drained and less productive.

Working too much without a break can seriously harm your health and happiness. When you push yourself to keep working without taking a rest, you might feel tired, stressed, and even sick.

Studies show that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of serious health problems like heart disease and anxiety. 

When you’re exhausted, your brain doesn’t work well and you may make more mistakes. Hence, you need breaks to rest and recharge, so you can come back to your work feeling refreshed.

Fix Your Habits Before They Fix You!  

It took me a while to realize that these habits ruined my productivity. And breaking these unhealthy habits was the only way to feel more productive and less overwhelmed. Therefore, I started to overcome these unproductive habits and now I can see a big difference in how I get things done.

So, if you see yourself in any of these habits, try making a few simple adjustments. And see how they help you work better and feel more balanced.

Moreover, you can make small changes to improve your daily routine. Take breaks, set limits, and focus on one task at a time. You’ll find yourself more productive and less stressed. 

Letting go of these habits is challenging, but it’s worth it!