15+ Best Work Habits to Make Work Easy & Shine at What You Do

Work, in psychological terms, is one of the conditions for happiness. As Richard David Prent writes in his book, 'Who Am I and If So, How Many?':

"Work forces us to be active, and most people need that pressure to be sufficiently productive. Work is the best psychological therapy.

And the worst thing about unemployment is precisely the lack of this self-administered psychological treatment. Those who don't work easily feel useless and lethargic: too little dopamine and serotonin. That's also Sigmund Freud's view. According to him, happiness is having the ability to love and work."

Sounds great. But I know, sometimes working is truly a nightmare for us in today's modern world with unlimited deadlines, pressure, KPIs, OKRs, performance, etc.

Some days, you felt completely stuck at work. No matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to get things done. Some days, your to-do list feels like it's growing faster than you can check things off.

If so, I believe you need to learn how to work smarter. And if you want to work better, you need to change the way you do your work.

In this post, I'll share 15 best work habits that might help you overcome productivity hurdles. These aren't hard skills that need a lot of practice. These are easy changes that anyone can make today!

These habits can help you feel less stressed, get more done and enjoy your work again, whether you work from home, in an office, or somewhere in between.

Why We Struggle with Productivity

Before diving into these best work habits, let's talk about why we get stuck first. There are many reasons why it's so difficult to do deep work these days:

Distractions are everywhere

Our phones buzz. Emails pop up. Colleagues drop by. In fact, it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back on track after just one interruption, according to Gloria Mark, who studies digital distraction at the University of California, Irvine. No wonder we struggle to finish anything.

Time management troubles

Many of us don't plan our days effectively. We skip over important jobs, put them off, or spend too much time on things that aren't important.

Missing clear goals

When you don't have clear goals, work gets fuzzy. Our actions are pointless and don't lead to any real success.

Stress and burnout

We can't use our brains to their full potential when we're stressed. When you're stressed all the time, it's hard to keep up best work habits.

Lack of self-discipline

Let's be honest, we all know what we should do, but sometimes we don't do it. Sometimes our motivation fades, we get distracted, or we choose the easier path instead of the right one. That's why building best work habits is truly essential. Finding the right habits can help you get more done in less time, feel more calm and in charge of your day, concentrate and be more creative, and eventually move up in your career.  

Now, let's look at 15 best work habits that can absolutely make a difference!

15 Best Work Habits to Break Free From Burnout

Learn how to set priorities

Not all tasks are created equal. The best work habits start with knowing what truly matters.

There is a simple box with four quadrants called the Eisenhower Matrix. They are urgent/important, important/not urgent, urgent/not important, and neither. This helps you figure out what needs your attention first. Another helpful method is the 80/20 rule. It suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Find that important 20%. Besides, you can track your priorities daily with habit trackers like Habitify, which makes it easy to see if you're focused on what really matters.

Practice smart time management

Time is your most precious resource. Protect it with these techniques: The Pomodoro Technique works wonders - work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. It's simple but effective. I tried it, and I must say that this is the best way for me to beat my to-do lists. Pomodoro works great for me, especially when I need to get something done quickly. Time blocking is another powerful one of best work habits. Set aside certain times each day to do different things, making a visual plan of your day.

Develop a sharp focus

Shallow work fills our days, but deep work creates our greatest value. Turn off notifications, close tabs that aren't needed, and, if you can, set up real boundaries to make a space where you won't be distracted. Focus for longer amounts of time. You can start with 15 minutes of continuous work and slowly add more time.

Group similar tasks together

Task batching is one of the best work habits that instantly boost productivity. Do all of the tasks that are similar at the same time, like returning emails, making calls, or writing reports. This makes switching between different kinds of tasks easier on the brain. For example, process all emails in two dedicated blocks each day rather than checking constantly.

Set clear, achievable goals

Vague goals create vague results, that’s true. So, let’s make your SMART goals today, using this formula:

• Specific (exactly what will be accomplished)
• Measurable (how you'll track progress)
• Achievable (challenging but possible)
• Relevant (connected to what truly matters)
• Time-bound (with a deadline)

The crucial thing about this technique is that you should break down big goals into smaller steps to keep going and stay motivated.

Take regular breaks

Here’s the truth: working nonstop makes you less productive.

Take short breaks to clear your mind. In addition to the Pomodoro Technique, you can also try the 52/17 rule: work hard for 52 minutes and then take a 17-minute break. Don't forget to take longer breaks too. Taking breaks for lunch and trips are important best work habits for long-term success.

Keep your workspace organized

Our area reflects our minds. A messy desk often shows that your mind is cluttered as well. Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up. Take out the trash, clean your coffee mugs, and get your space ready for tomorrow. Set up ways to stay organized, like putting goods in specific places, using digital filing systems for papers, and regularly getting rid of things you don't need.

Communicate effectively

Clear communication keeps things from getting confusing and saves time. Be direct but kind in your messages. Make it clear what you need, when you need it, and why it's significant. You can practice active listening by focusing fully on the speaker, asking questions to get more information, and thinking carefully about what you've heard.

Always learn new things

One of the best work habits that successful people have is never stop learning. Set aside time every week to improve your skills as a worker. Build habits like reading articles in the field, taking classes online, or going to events. Then, remember to apply what you've learned right away. Knowledge without action doesn't create real change in your work life.

Build a positive mindset

Your attitude shapes your experience more than almost anything else. Begin your day with gratitude. Write down three things you like about your job or coworkers before you start working. Instead of seeing problems as things you need to avoid, see them as chances to grow.

Give tasks to others

Remember: You shouldn't try to do everything by yourself.

Find things that other people could do as well as (or better than) you. Set clear goals, deadlines, and information about tools that are available. Leave the other things behind and put your energy into the work that needs your special skills. That's the smart way to work.

Review and reflect regularly

We keep making the same mistakes because we don't reflect on them. At the end of each day, spend 10 minutes reviewing what went well and what could be done better. Set up reviews once a week or once a month to track progress on larger goals and make changes as needed.

Set up regular schedules

Predictability can be beneficial for our brains since it saves our minds the power to make important choices. So, set up habits in the morning and evening that tell your brain when to concentrate and when to relax. Track your habits with a habit tracker like Habitify until they become second nature. Being consistent is key to making the best work habits last.

Stay hydrated and eat well

Your brain is part of your body. Take care of both. Set a reminder to prompt you to drink water every so often and keep it at your desk. This is so crucial because dehydration has a big effect on how well your brain works. Choose foods that give you long-lasting energy instead of quick energy boosts and crashes. What you eat for lunch affects how productive you are in the afternoon!

Learn to say no

When you say yes to one thing, you have to say no to another. Ask yourself if new commitments are in line with your ideals and priorities before you agree. Learn how to say "no" in a polite but firm way: "That sounds interesting, but I need to focus on my current projects right now."

Final Thoughts

Although they are simple, these 15 best work habits are effective. You don't have to do all of them at the same time. Just start with the one or two that resonate with you the most.

It also takes time to form habits. Take your time and enjoy the little wins along the way. You can have a more productive and satisfying work-life if you follow these best work habits every day.

When you don't stop when others stop, you become unstoppable. Keep building these habits consistently, even when it gets challenging, and you'll develop a work ethic that sets you apart from the crowd.