7 Realistic Productivity Tips That Keep Me Sane(ish)

Am I really qualified to share realistic productivity tips? Hmm… Let’s just say my daily routine wouldn’t exactly make it onto a productivity podcast. There’s no cold plunge. No journaling by candlelight. No perfect app that tracks my every move. I do what works for me… and most of it would probably raise some eyebrows.

But that’s the point. It works, and that’s what makes it realistic. My days are full, my work gets done, I’m around when my kids need me, and I stay (mostly) sane in the process. And if some of that comes down to strange little habits I’ve collected over time? So be it.

Here’s a peek at the weird, very specific productivity tips that actually help me stay on top of things. Maybe one of these will give you an idea of something you might want to try, too.

1. I work in the middle of the night (yes, actually).

It’s not planned. I don’t set an alarm (well… sometimes I do). But when I wake up at 1 AM, 2 AM, whatever o’clock, I’m on. I’ll quietly slip out of bed past the snoring dogs, open my laptop, and get to work. And honestly? I kind of love it.

There’s something about the stillness of the house that lets my brain click into place. I feel focused, fast, and way less distracted than daytime me. No pings, no real-time to-dos piling up, and no dogs barking at literally everything. Just me, getting things done while the rest of the world sleeps.

I’ve stopped questioning it. I’ve fully embraced it. But I’m not pulling all-nighters like I’m 20. I usually go to bed early so I can sneak in a third shift if my brain decides it’s ready. It’s one of the quirks of my own circadian rhythm productivity curve, and I’ve learned to work with it instead of fighting it. Plus, I get to see the sunrise.

2. I plan my day like a maniac (with pens, paper, and color coding).

Every night (or sometimes in the early morning), I map out my entire day. I assign times, organize tasks, prioritize, and even plan breaks. It all happens on paper.

Yes, I know there are tons of productivity apps. I even use a few. But this part? It has to be old-school. Pens, paper, highlighters… It’s what makes me happy.

Think about it. Crossing things off? Extremely satisfying. Color-coding? Absolutely. Using four different highlighters? You bet. (This may just be a “me” thing…)

There’s something about seeing the day in front of me, handwritten, that helps it feel more doable. It’s not about perfection; it’s about clarity. And this is one of my most grounding realistic productivity tips.

3. I write “eat lunch” on my to-do list.

Because if I don’t, I’ll forget. Or worse, I’ll remember and still skip it because “I just need to finish one more thing.” (Spoiler: it’s never just one more thing.)

So yes, “eat” is on my list. So is “breathe” some days. Sometimes I even write “walk away from your desk for 5 minutes” just so I’ll actually do it. And “drink water” is basically a list staple.

If I don’t schedule the basics, they don’t happen. And if they don’t happen, I’m useless by 3 PM. That’s why I’m a big believer in productive downtime. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategy.

4. I answer emails fast. It’s a compulsion at this point.

I can’t let emails sit. I don’t do “inbox zero,” but I also don’t let unread messages pile up like digital laundry. It messes with my brain.

Why? Because my goal is always to make every client feel like they’re my only one and my biggest priority. (They are a priority!)

So I get emails out of the way fast. Ideally, all of them before the house descends into after-school chaos. I don’t like having anything hanging over me when I’m making dinner or nagging kids about homework.

My brain doesn’t switch gears well unless I’ve cleared the digital clutter. And email? Definitely clutter. It’s also a big part of how I maintain strong digital connections with clients and collaborators. This is probably one of my realistic productivity habits that will never, ever change.

5. I work on weekends. Yep.

Not all the time. But often enough that I’ve stopped pretending weekends are sacred.

If I’ve got a deadline or something I didn’t get to during the week, I carve out time and knock it out. A little work on Saturday morning can make Monday feel way less overwhelming. It’s kind of a bird-by-bird approach, knock out one small thing now, make life easier later.

I don’t spin it as a productivity hack. It’s just real life. As long as I’ve planned for it (and made space for rest somewhere else), I’m fine with it. Balance isn’t always daily. You kind of have to make a give-and-take agreement with yourself.

6. I switch tasks when I’m bored, not when I’m “supposed to.”

I know the advice: batch your work, stay in flow, avoid context switching. But honestly? If I’m bored, stuck, or just plain over it, I pivot.

Sometimes that means switching from writing to designing, or from strategy work to something super tactical like updating a spreadsheet. It’s not about multitasking; it’s about momentum.

Giving myself permission to shift gears helps me stay productive without burning out. It’s one way I’ve learned to work with my natural focus and energy, not against it. That’s been key for me when it comes to habit formation.

So, one of the most realistic productivity tips I’ve learned is to listen to my focus, not fight it. Giving myself permission to shift gears helps me stay productive without burning out.

7. I wear the same outfit (almost) every day.

My super-washable joggers from Amazon? MVP status. I have multiple pairs (don’t worry, I’m not wearing the same actual clothes every day). I rotate through them like they’re high fashion, but really they’re just comfy, reliable, and one less decision to make. Same goes for my big, cozy sweaters… the kind that make me feel like a burrito with a to-do list.

Unless I’m leaving the house that day, I’m not putting in much effort to change it up. And even then, it’s a toss-up!

Hair is a whole different story. If it’s up, I’m off camera. If it’s down, I’m probably on a Zoom call and using my “phone voice” (as my daughter calls it). 

And if I show up with my hair in a messy bun on camera? Check on me. Something has gone wrong.

It’s not pretty, and that’s the whole point.

You’re not going to find my routine on some “morning inspo” Pinterest board. But it’s the stuff that gets me through the day. A mix of structure, intuition, and very specific pens and highlighters.

So if you’ve got a weird little ritual that works for you (lighting a candle at 3 PM, switching chairs halfway through the day, whatever), keep doing it. There are so many variations of what you can consider an actually useful realistic productivity tip. But as long as it works for you, then it’s a winner.