Whether you’re a morning bird (like me) or a night owl (like my spouse), you need to work on your most thought-consuming tasks when your brain is at its peak. That may mean that your schedule deviates from what’s considered “traditional,” but if it works best for you, that’s what matters! 2. Cut the clutter

Dissatisfaction and discomfort dominate our brain’s default state, but we can use them to motivate us instead of defeat us.” – Nir Eyal A well-crafted routine aligns your daily actions with your energy levels. Slot in high-concentration tasks when your mind is fresh, and save the autopilot stuff for when your brain is ready for a break. That way, you’re always playing to your strengths. If you want to lose weight, boost your energy, or sharpen your mind, there are shelves of books offering myriad styles of advice. If you want to build up your strength and cardio fitness, there are plenty of gyms and trainers ready to offer you their guidance. What all of these resources have in common is they offer you a bad deal: a lot of effort for a little payoff. Dave Asprey has found a better way.Improved time management and increased productivity will help you work smarter, not harder. Weekly and daily planning will also help you be more intentional with your time so you can prioritise effectively and start each day feeling focused. Everyone's brains are wired differently, though, so we all achieve that "flow state" using different techniques (and sometimes not very often). If you're the type who can't really get into a "flow state," consider other ways to rebuild your work habits. 4. Set up your workspace for success Work expands to fill the time available for its completion. To increase productivity and manage your time better, spend time on your biggest priorities and cut out everything else. You absorb information better when you’re alert, well-fed and rested – and even better after you’ve exercised. It's important to ensure you’ve consumed nutritious foods to get your brain powered up – things like fish, nuts, berries and yoghurt. It also pays to stay hydrated and get up to move in between your 30-minute sessions. 4. Write flash cards

It is better to keep your to-do list short. Long lists can feel intimidating and lead to procrastination or inaction. However, it can also be helpful to write a to-don't list too. On this, you can write all the things that are draining your time.Setting SMART targets helps focus your intention. You can determine precisely what you want to achieve. Everyone knows how to set goals. However, not everyone understands why goal setting works. Goals trigger behavior, sustain momentum, guide and align your focus, and promote self-mastery. Once you put goal setting into practice, these reactions become instinctive, increasing your productivity long-term. 6. Get organized