The work habits you cultivate today can make or break your career tomorrow. Success doesn’t (usually) happen by chance; it’s often the outcome of deliberate actions and consistent habits that lay the groundwork for growth and achievement. If you want to advance your career, improve your work-life balance, or simply be more effective at your job, developing good work habits is the perfect place to start!
Starting your day with a clear goal and using tools to increase productivity can lead to finishing your day with a sense of accomplishment. And guess what? These habits are definitely not limited to seasoned professionals. Anyone can start great work habits right now! This guide will explore 12 actionable work habits that can help you flourish in your career. From mastering your morning routine to using ChatGPT for time management, we'll also share some examples and tips you can implement immediately.
So let’s dive in and start building habits that will set you up for success!
Habit 1: Follow a morning routine you’re actually excited about
A strong start to your day provides a great foundation for success. Instead of just hitting snooze or lazily scrolling through your phone, see if you can set up a morning routine that stimulates and energizes you.!
Example: Stretching, penning a few random thoughts, or listening to some of your favorite music can all help you start the day off right! It doesn’t have to be super high-energy either; lighting a nice scented candle or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee while visualizing your goals might also be part of your routine.
Tip: Need a pump-up song? Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” always works wonders for us!
Read this next: How to make a good morning routine
Habit 2: Use a digital planning tool
Effective planning is at the heart of productivity, and digital tools like Notion, Trello, and Asana can help you organize your work day and stay on track.
Example: Instead of ambiguous assignments like "Work on presentation," provide specific objectives like "Complete three slides of the presentation by 3 PM." Breaking down projects into smaller milestones makes them more manageable.
Tip: Plan your next day at the end of each workday to start the next one with increased clarity.
Read this next: Getting back into your work “flow”
Habit 3: Organize your day by energy levels
Everyone (and we mean everyone!) has energy that peaks and valleys throughout the day. Coordinating your tasks with your energy levels means improved productivity.
Example: Everyone’s idea of high-energy tasks is probably a little different, but consider using your peak hours for creative activities such as brainstorming, writing, and strategic thinking. Allocate low-energy times for tasks such as checking emails or scheduling meetings.
Tip: Track your energy levels throughout the week to see when you're most productive.
Read this next: Top tips on finding success amidst distractions
Habit 4: Use ChatGPT
Why work harder if you can work smarter? ChatGPT is a game changer for simplifying work and boosting creativity.
Example: Imagine you need to write an email quickly but are having trouble finding the perfect wording. Instead of spinning your wheels for a while, you can ask ChatGPT (or a similar AI program), "Help me draft an email to my team about upcoming project deadlines,” and then use as much or as little of the response as you’d like to break that writer’s block.
Tip: To make communications feel authentic, combine ChatGPT's suggestions with your own unique voice.
Watch this next: Mastering time management & productivity with ChatGPT
Habit 5: Use apps that block distractions
In a world full of distractions, staying on track can be difficult. Apps like Session, PawBlock, and OneSec can help you prevent access to distracting websites and social media.
Example: Set a timer for 90 minutes and prevent access to any social media during that time. The best part? Taking a little pause after as a reward!
Tip: Combine distraction-blocking apps with the Pomodoro Technique for the ultimate focus hack!
Read this next: How to be more engaged at work
Habit 6: Keep a gratitude journal for wins
It’s only human to enjoy compliments. Recognizing your accomplishments, big or small, keeps you motivated and develops a positive mentality.
Example: At the end of each day, record one accomplishment, such as finishing a task, receiving positive reviews, or overcoming a hurdle. You can even grab screenshots of nice words from coworkers, etc., to keep too!
Tip: Use this "brag file" to enhance your confidence at performance assessments and job interviews.
Watch this next: Mastering the art of celebrating your wins
Habit 7: Schedule coffee chats with your coworkers
Establishing relationships at work promotes collaboration and morale. Regular check-ins with coworkers can strengthen relationships and foster a more supportive work environment.
Example: Schedule a weekly coffee talk with a colleague, either online or in person, to discuss projects or connect on a more personal level. Keep it professional, but casual.
Tip: Use these discussions to learn how to support your coworkers' goals and foster camaraderie.
Read this next: Unlocking success with people skills
Habit 8: Plan “no-meeting days”
It’s probably not rocket science: too many meetings can impede productivity. If possible, set aside at least one day per week as a "no-meetings" day to focus on your serious work. If you can get a recurring date set up ahead of time, it’s easier to protect that time!
Example: Schedule Wednesdays as your focus day. Communicate this boundary with your team and change your calendar accordingly.
Tip: Utilize this time for high-priority or innovative tasks that require your full focus.
Watch this next: How to maintain work-life balance in a remote environment
Habit 9: Practice effective communication
Clear and concise communication reduces misconceptions while also saving time. Effective communication is critical, whether through emails, Slack messaging, or even during meetings.
Example: Instead of saying, "Let's discuss this soon," write, "Let's meet tomorrow at 2 PM to finalize the project plan." Specificity makes your message actionable.
Tip: Grammarly and Hemingway are two tools that can help you write more clearly and identify when you’re being vague.
Read this next: Communication skills
Habit 10: Block your calendar for focus time
Not too far from our ‘no-meeting day’ suggestion, carving out uninterrupted focus time as a part of your day allows you to accomplish what's most critical in a time-effective manner.
Example: Set aside at least one 90-minute session per day for intense work, labeling them as "Focus Time." Set your status to "Do Not Disturb" during these times and communicate these boundaries.
Tip: Clearly inform your colleagues about your focus blocks to reduce distractions.
Watch this next: Creating and communicating boundaries at work
Habit 11: Take regular breaks
Breaks are necessary for maintaining energy and concentration throughout the day. The Pomodoro Technique is a popular (and tried and true) way to structure work and relaxation periods.
Example: The Pomodoro Technique works like this: Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute rest. After four cycles, take a 15- to 30-minute break.
Tip: Take breaks to get away from your desk, stretch, or grab a healthy snack.
Read this next: Balancing priorities at work and in life
Habit 12: Take a real lunch break
We mean it — step away from your desk sometimes! Missing lunch or working while eating can result in burnout. Getting a proper lunch break allows you to refuel and focus for the afternoon.
Example: Block 30-60 minutes for lunch and take a complete break from work. Take a walk, listen to music, or simply have a quiet lunch.
Tip: Disable work alerts at lunch to fully disconnect.
Read this next: The importance of self-care
Make success a habit
There you have it; work habits are the fundamentals of any successful career. You can set yourself up for long-term success by taking simple, regular steps like using tools to plan your day, practicing good communication, and taking well-deserved breaks. These habits are about more than just getting things done; they're also about working smarter, being balanced, and staying fulfilled.
You don’t have to do all of these all at once! Begin with one or two habits from this list and integrate them into your daily routine. Remember that the goal is development and not perfection. With time and consistency, these habits will become second nature, allowing you to achieve your career goals and thrive in your career!
- Habit 1: Follow a morning routine you’re actually excited about
- Habit 2: Use a digital planning tool
- Habit 3: Organize your day by energy levels
- Habit 4: Use ChatGPT
- Habit 5: Use apps that block distractions
- Habit 6: Keep a gratitude journal for wins
- Habit 7: Schedule coffee chats with your coworkers
- Habit 8: Plan “no-meeting days”
- Habit 9: Practice effective communication
- Habit 10: Block your calendar for focus time
- Habit 11: Take regular breaks
- Habit 12: Take a real lunch break
