The Secret to Productivity Isn’t Doing More—It’s Doing What Actually Works
If I had a dollar for every time I tried to create the perfect routine, I’d probably be rich by now. I used to think that waking up at 5 AM, journaling, meditating, exercising, and meal prepping before sunrise was the key to success.
I tried the “CEO morning routine.” You can expect early wake up times, exercise, reading, and focused work blocks.
I tried the “that girl” routine. This social media trend includes routines like waking up early, making your bed, drinking green juice and other healthy habits.
I even tried sticking to a color-coded planner with every hour mapped out.
Guess how long it lasted?
🚨 A few days—maybe a week if I was lucky.
Because forcing a routine that doesn’t fit your life will always fail.
💡 Your daily routine isn’t about following what works for someone else—it’s about building a system that works for YOU.
So if you’re tired of feeling like you’re always behind, if you start routines but never stick to them, and if you’re ready to take control of your time without feeling like a robot—this is for you.
Here’s how to ditch the chaos and create a daily routine that actually works.
1. Stop Trying to Copy Other People’s Routines
Let’s talk about Mark Wahlberg’s routine for a second.
A while ago, he shared his insane daily schedule:
✔ 2:30 AM: Wake up
✔ 3:15 AM: Workout
✔ 7:30 AM: Golf
✔ 9:30 AM: Cryo Chamber Recovery (yes, really)
🚨 Who actually lives like this? Anybody?
Unless you’re a Hollywood actor with a team managing your life, this schedule is completely unrealistic and dare I even say, insanely stringent.
Yet, so many of us try to copy routines that don’t match our reality.
💡 The key to a successful routine isn’t making it look impressive—it’s making it fit your life.
Instead of copying someone else’s routine, ask yourself:
✔ What time of day do I naturally have the most energy?
✔ What tasks make the biggest difference in my day?
✔ What’s realistic for my current season of life?
Your routine should work for your life—not the other way around.
2. Identify Your “Keystone Habits”—The Ones That Actually Make a Difference
Not all habits are created equal.
If you’re trying to force 10+ new habits into your routine, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
💡 The trick? Focus on your “keystone habits”—the small habits that have the biggest impact. Journalist Charles Duhigg coined the term in his book,The Power of Habit. Keystone habits are habits that will make the biggest, most positive impact on your life.
For example: Look at Tom Brady’s Routine
Tom Brady isn’t just known for his football skills—he’s known for his obsessive commitment to his keystone habits:
✔ Hydrating (he drinks a ridiculous amount of water)
✔ Stretching & mobility exercises
✔ Clean eating (he follows an 80% plant-based diet)
These habits fuel his longevity and performance—so he prioritizes them above everything else. Just take one look at him and you’ll know that he values his keystone habits.
Try This:
✔ Identify 2–3 habits that make the biggest difference in your day.
✔ Prioritize consistency over perfection.
✔ Drop habits that aren’t actually helping you.
🚨 A simple routine you stick to beats a “perfect” one you quit.
3. Plan Your Day Like a CEO—But Without the Burnout
Every successful CEO structures their day with intention.
✔ They batch tasks to minimize distractions.
✔ They set priorities instead of working reactively.
✔ They leave space for rest and creativity.
💡 Your daily routine should help you stay productive without burning out.
Try This:
✔ Time block your tasks. Give yourself dedicated focus time for deep work, personal time, and rest.
✔ Batch similar activities. Example: Instead of checking emails all day, set aside 2–3 times to respond.
✔ Set “hard stops” for your day. If you don’t set boundaries, your work will never end.
🚨 You are the CEO of your life—start acting like it.
4. Build Flexibility Into Your Routine (Because Life Happens)
The reason most routines fail?
🚨 They don’t leave room for real life. And real life happens!
✔ Kids wake up sick.
✔ Meetings run late.
✔ Unexpected errands throw off your schedule.
💡 A rigid routine will break—but a flexible one will bend. So ditch the rigidity and implement a routine that considers the likeability of unexpected life happenings…
Try This:
✔ Plan your top 3 non-negotiables each day. If all else fails, focus on these.
✔ Give yourself a backup plan. Example: If you miss a morning workout, schedule a walk later.
✔ Stop expecting perfection. Progress beats an all-or-nothing mentality.
🚨 A routine should support your life—not stress you out.
The Best Routine Is One You Actually Stick To
✔ Stop forcing routines that don’t fit your life.
✔ Focus on the habits that actually move the needle.
✔ Structure your day like a boss—but with room to breathe.
✔ Build a routine that works for YOU—not Instagram.
🚨 What’s one habit you’ve added (or dropped) from your routine? Let’s talk in the comments!
📥 Want to take control of your time? Download The Mom’s Breakthrough Blueprint—your free guide to building routines that actually work! → https://satya-nauth.kit.com/f8c27c5d27
