How to Increase Your Productivity Using Habit-Stacking

Productivity is a crucial aspect of achieving your goals. In this post, we’ll explore some ways you can increase productivity, including habit-stacking, building new habits, and how to cut out habits we want to quit.

What is Habit-Stacking?

Habit-stacking is a technique that involves adding a new habit on top of one you already have. This creates a chain of activities that can help to reinforce one another.

If you want to start journaling in the morning, you could stack it on top of your existing routine of drinking coffee. This way, every morning you’ll start your day off with your new habit, and the more you do it the more that habit will become part of your morning routine.

By starting with small, manageable habits and gradually building up over time, you can create a routine that works for you and helps to support your overall health and well-being.

In addition to creating new habits and routines, habit-stacking can also help to reinforce existing habits. For example, if you already have a habit of taking a daily walk, you could add a new habit of drinking a glass of water when you get back. This way, you’re getting the benefits of exercise and you’re also building a new habit that focuses on hydration.

The key to successful habit-stacking is to start small and be consistent. By choosing manageable habits and sticking with them, you can gradually build up a routine that supports your goals.

How Can I Habit-Stack Tasks to Increase Productivity?

To habit-stack new tasks in your daily life, first identify habits you already have. Write down all your current habits, even the ones you may not be proud of doing. Include anything from drinking coffee to taking a shower in the morning, to taking your dog for a walk, or putting on your shoes before you leave the house.

Once you’ve identified your existing habits, make a list of new habits you’d like to incorporate into your existing routine. Choose to adopt only one new habit at a time. The smaller your goal is, the easier it will be for you to manage adding that habit into your routine. For example, if you already take a shower in the morning, you could add a new habit of doing a quick workout before your shower. By doing this, you build on the foundation of your existing habit, which makes it easier to incorporate a new habit into your routine.

Over time, your new habits will become automatic, part of your routine, and you’ll do them without even thinking about it. This is because you are creating a routine that your brain will get used to.

Habit-stacking is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone’s habits and routines are different, and what works for one person may not work for you. By starting with small changes, however, and gradually adding more habits, you can create a habit-stacking routine that works for you.

Another important aspect of building a good daily routine is to ensure that it is sustainable. Create a routine that works for you and your lifestyle. You want your habits to be attainable.

How do I Reduce Bad Habits that Distract Me from Increasing Productivity?

To reduce bad habits that distract you from being productive, it’s important to identify those habits. Turn back to your list of habits you complete every day. Circle the “bad” habits on your list in red. The next step is to create a plan for eliminating the habits you want to quit.

In Atomic Habits by James Clear, the author states that we need to make bad habits harder to accomplish. So, if you want to eat healthier snacks during the day, don’t buy unhealthy snacks at the store, so you can’t easily reach for them. And when you bring fresh fruits and vegetables home from the grocery store, take time to immediately wash, slice, and store them. This makes it easier for you to choose a fresh, healthy snack from the fridge when you’re hungry.

If you want to stop scrolling your phone before bed and want to read a book instead, leave your phone in another room to charge overnight and place a book on your bedside table. So, when you climb into bed, a book is already there waiting for you and your phone isn’t in view.

Put Habit-Stacking to the Test

Journal for three minutes: How can you use habit-stacking to build a strong writing routine? Are there any bad habits you can swap for new habits you want to create?