In the modern workplace, productivity is one of the most important aspects of the day-to-day. At the same time, it can be difficult to find consistency in your level of productivity. Different tasks, work environments, and personal and professional stressors can all play a role in your performance at work. There are small changes you can make to your schedule and behavior, however, that can have a significant impact on your productivity and overall well-being. These workplace productivity habits can help you feel more prepared, focused, and resilient both at home and in the workplace.
How Workplace Productivity Habits Can Reshape Our Brains
Habits have the ability to completely change the way that our brains function, and we can use this to make positive changes in our lives. Habits drive much of our daily behavior, so realizing this gives us a way to shape and change small things that have a ripple effect. Our brains tend to choose the option they are used to because it requires less energy than deviating from it. With consistency and repetition over time, we can rewire our brains to choose the healthy option, which can lead to a healthier life in all aspects.
Physical and Emotional Health Matter
People build habits to improve their physical and mental well-being. When you feel good both mentally and physically, all aspects of your life tend to improve as well. You’ll experience more positive emotions, be better equipped to handle stress, and be more productive in your personal and professional life.
Experiencing physical pain can be a major barrier to productivity and overall contentment with life. When you spend each day contending with pain, especially back pain, it becomes more difficult to respond to stressors at work. As a result, your performance can suffer. Building habits that prioritize physical health has far-reaching consequences that can lighten the load from other aspects of life. When your body feels good, you’re far more likely to do good work.
Even if you’re physically healthy, it is still imperative to take care of your mental health. Many companies prioritize employee mental health, so look into the wellness programs your company might offer. Building good habits around mental health is vital to your satisfaction at work and your overall health. Communication is vital, both with coworkers and management, so you have the space and flexibility to monitor and prioritize your mental health.
Small, Easy-to-Implement Habits That Can Make a Difference
It’s easy to see how big changes can make a difference, but sometimes small changes have the biggest impact on your day-to-day life. By making small tweaks to your routine and mindset, you can create a domino effect that positively affects every aspect of your life. From mental and physical well-being to workplace productivity and stress reduction, these little changes can touch every part of your day.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Each night before work, set yourself up for success the next morning. No matter what line of work you’re in, the fewer decisions you make first thing in the day, the sharper your brain will be when it’s time to get to work. Figure out what you’re going to wear, what you’re going to have for breakfast and lunch, and have a rough idea of your schedule. Then, lay out your clothes, meal prep, and set your coffee pot to brew when your alarm goes off.
This keeps you from becoming inundated with choices the moment your day starts. It helps you stay sharp when work requires important judgments. It can also help you start the day on the right foot: prepared and organized rather than scrambling and behind.
Build in Breaks
It may seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks throughout your workday can greatly improve your productivity. When setting your schedule or planning for deadlines, block in specific time for breaks so you don’t burn out. Breaks away from screens are especially important if your job requires a lot of time in front of a computer or on the phone.
Your breaks should be productive in their own right. If you build in a ten-minute screen-time break, scrolling on your phone defeats the purpose. Instead, go for a walk, step outside for fresh air, or do some stretching. These choices support your physical health and give you the brain break you need to stay sharp.
Commit to Getting Started
Often, the largest barrier to productivity is simply getting started. It can be easy to put off a new project, even if you know it won’t be difficult. The best way around this hesitation is to enact a two-minute rule: if it will take less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. By forcing yourself to get started, you can build momentum that makes it easier to transition to the next project. Our brains are like a ball at the top of a hill. It’s easier to stay still, but once you start moving, it becomes much easier to keep going.
Workspace Organization
Your workspace is one of the most important aspects of productivity. Take the time to set up a physical area that supports you and your needs. Remove anything that tempts you to resort to bad habits. Instead, support the positive changes you’re making. A comfortable chair, screens at the right height, and a space that fosters positive emotions are all vital to your productivity.
If your workspace is physically uncomfortable, it can cause a snowball effect. You may dread work because it causes pain, and that discomfort can bleed into every area of your day. Cater your workspace so that it’s a place you enjoy being, and your work will show it.
For more practical ideas, explore our guide to supporting employees during open enrollment and our roundup of small business ideas for 2026.
About the Author
Sherjan Husainie is the Founder of KIRO, the world’s most advanced chiropractic brand. He studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Toronto and Financial Engineering at UCLA Anderson. Before founding KIRO, Sherjan worked at Google and was a Vice President in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley. His mission is to make modern, accessible chiropractic care available to 100 million members globally.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherjan
