12 Productivity Secrets Celebrities Use

Sometimes it seems that the whole world is obsessed with productivity and success, but nevertheless, only a few get to the top of movie charts or business ratings. How do these people manage to do it? In The Wall Street Journal's 'My Monday Morning' column, celebrities share their secrets about what helps them stay productive and achieve their goals.

1. Don't fall for the "morning blues"

Monday morning blues - the state when after the weekend it is very difficult to concentrate, stop procrastinating and switch from rest to work tasks. But it seems that Catherine Zethe-Jones is not familiar with this feeling.

Perhaps morning is not the easiest time for you, regardless of the day of the week. But if you think of it as a new beginning and the start of a productive period, it will help you get in the right mood.

2. Take time for pleasant morning rituals

American actress and writer Fran Lebowitz, best known for her role as Judge Janice Goldberg in the TV seriesLaw and order”, advises devoting more time to the usual morning activities.

Maybe your secret isn't coffee. For example, you love in a special way brew tea, walking the dog, doing yoga or other morning rituals. The main thing is not to rush anywhere and give yourself time to wake up so as not to feel tired after breakfast.

3. Start your day with a glass of water

Canadian journalist and former editor of Vanity Fair magazine Graydon Carter inherited the secret of productivity from his grandmother.

Scientists believe that drinking water in the morning helps normalizeVinu A. Vij, Anjali S. Joshi. Effect of ‘Water Induced Thermogenesis’ on Body Weight, Body Mass Index and Body Composition of Overweight Subjects / Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research weight, raiseAnna N. Chard, Victoria Trinies, Caroline J. Edmonds, Assitan Sogore, Matthew C. freeman. The impact of water consumption on hydration and cognition among schoolchildren: Methods and results from a crossover trial in rural Mali / PLoS One brain performance, improve moodNathalie Pross, Agnès Demazières, Nicolas Girard, Romain Barnouin, Déborah Metzger, Alexis Klein, Erica Perrier, Isabelle Guelinckx. Effects of changes in water intake on mood of high and low drinkers / PLoS One, skin conditionM. Akdeniz, T. Tomova‑Simitchieva, G. Dobos, U. Blume‑Peytavi, J. Kottner/ Does dietary fluid intake affect skin hydration in healthy humans? A systematic literature review / Skin Research and Technology, functioning urinaryBarry M. Popkin, Kristen E. D'Anci, and Irwin H. Rosenberg. Water, Hydration and Health / Nutrition reviews And cardiovascularJoseph C. Watso and William B. farquhar. Hydration Status and Cardiovascular Function / Nutrients systems. Maybe you should try this method too?

4. Train without getting out of bed

Fashion icon and award-winning fashion icon, Dapper Dan strives to start his productive day as early as possible. If many of Dan's colleagues plan to go to the gym at lunchtime - and therefore often skip workouts, then Dapper himself does not even need to leave the bedroom.

For an unprepared person, such training looks quite extreme. But you can choose an alternative - for example, do charging or find complexwhich gradually becomes more difficult.

5. Be sure to make your bed in the morning

Forward of the professional basketball club “Cleveland Cavaliers” Kevin Love admitted that his morning begins with a made bed. Love does it with his girlfriend and considers his morning routine the key to a good evening.

A made bed is perhaps the most important step in the fight against home mess. It takes a couple of minutes, but it helps to cheer up and makes the room cozier.

6. Walk more

Renowned relationship expert and psychotherapist Esther Perel believes in the incredible power of daily walks. They fill her with energy, help her switch, change the environment and increase productivity during the working day.

There are many ways motivate yourself to get out of the house more often. If you do this regularly, then soon walks will become a part of your life, help you become more productive, preventElaine M. Murtagh, Marie H. Murphy, and Janne Boone-Heinonen. Walking — the first steps in cardiovascular disease / Current opinion in cardiology heart diseases, improveF. Wang, S. Boros. The effect of daily walking exercise on sleep quality in healthy young adults / Sport Sciences for Health sleep and mood.

7. Make time for what matters most

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who recently topped the list of the richest people on the planet, adheres to one strict rule.

Scientists note‘Sleep on it’ is sound, science‑based advice, study suggests / ScienceDailythat sleep really helps to make a choice. And if it’s difficult for you to decide even in the morning, they will come in handy these tips.

However, researchers at Harvard Business School thinkShould You Sleep on It? The Effects of Overnight Sleep on Subjective Preference‑based Choice / Harvard Business Schoolthat sleep does not affect the confidence that the chosen option is really correct. Therefore, it is worth trying both options and deciding which one is more effective for you.

8. Create clear and structured to-do lists

American journalist, writer and broadcaster Anderson Cooper sees the basis of his productivity in compiling lists. But he did not immediately grasp the secret of the effectiveness of this technique.

Cooper also noted that he tries to immediately cross off the list two or three things. This allows you to focus on the things that matter most.

9. Set big goals

Scott Galloway, a professor at the Stern School of Business at New York University, developed his own goal setting system. Following it, he has maintained a high level of productivity for many years.

Achievements can be planned, for example, using mental maps. There are other approaches as well, goals-actions will help to improve life and in small steps, but steadily moving towards a dream.

10. Save events on paper and analyze them

CBS presenter Nora O'Donnell admitted that keeping a daily diary helps her record achievements.

Many famous people keep diaries. This lesson helps to learn from experience, remember more, take the best from every day. In a word, if you were waiting for a sign to start a diary, then here it is.

11. Remain calm even in times of crisis

Ariel Investments CEO and President Mellody Hobson advises keeping a cool head and not panicking, even if everyone else is doing it. According to Hobson, the crisis can push for impulsive decisions, but this will definitely lead to losses.

During a crisis, make mistake especially easy. But if you learn to take a break, then many losses can be avoided.

12. Subscribe to things you buy regularly

Supermodel Naomi Campbell travels a lot and tries to adhere to special hygiene rules on every trip. For example, she always takes her own blankets with her, many packs of antibacterial wipes and even protective suits. Campbell subscribed to some of these items in order not to keep track of purchases and save time.

But subscriptions are useful not only for those who are constantly on the road. For example, you can arrange the delivery of household chemicals, durable products, pet food, art supplies that you use all the time. They will be brought to you regularly, for example, once a month - this will save you time and help you become more productive.

True, this format sometimes fails. The supermodel revealed that one time her subscription didn't work because her hazmat suits ran out and she panicked when she wasn't going anywhere. But in general, this option really helps not to keep a list in your head all the time. shopping.