Habits for Productivity as a DAD
That you can start doing today
To achieve success, there are a few key things you need.
As a father of three, life can get hectic no matter how much we plan. In 2023, I have been working to improve my productivity, happiness, and overall health to a level where things feel more natural. Without these three things, serving my family would be complicated.
Here are five habits I have developed to be more present, happier, and overall healthier to achieve my goals.
Daily Activity
Daily activity does not have to mean intense cardio every day. I don't even do that. If you want to stay consistent and improve your wellness, start simple. Go for a 10-minute walk around the block to get outside. For example, I prefer lifting weights over cardio. Find what works for you.
Daily activity has been a game changer for me in terms of gaining mental clarity and reducing overall anxiety. I can feel when it has been a few days without working out, which is a constant reminder of why I do it.
Focus on daily activity, and I guarantee that you will start feeling more motivated to do other things and gain tremendous clarity while working throughout the day.
Consistent Writing
One of my goals for 2023 is to write more than I did in 2022. Writing daily helps me gain clarity and identify patterns that may not come up otherwise. It's important to note that most of this writing will never be seen (I hope 😂). Most of the writing I do is in my journal, where I have a conversation with myself. This process gets distilled further until it reaches my newsletter and social media.
Journaling is a practice that may seem meaningless from the outside but can be life-changing when you feel your life is falling apart. Research shows that journaling can improve mental health, although the reasons are still vague.
Writing has been the #1 habit that has improved my relationship with my family, provided tremendous clarity in my day-to-day life, and given me a sense of purpose. Writing this weekly newsletter has been a lot of fun, and having dedicated writing time has provided the structure I needed to make this habit stick.
Embrace Feedback
Receiving feedback, regardless of the source, can be a challenging experience. Recently, I had my annual review and was surprised that it did not go as expected. However, the feedback I received was exceptional. It was the first time in a while that I felt the feedback was meaningful and actionable.
Sometimes feedback can be unclear and vague, making it difficult to know what to do with it. I prefer to receive honest and candid feedback, even if it is not positive, as it helps me identify areas for improvement and work on them with my colleagues.
During my recent review, my supervisor pointed out some areas where I needed to improve. While it was not easy to hear, I recognized the importance of taking feedback seriously and acting on it. I appreciated my supervisor's honesty, and I believe it has helped me become a better employee.
In summary, feedback is an important tool for personal and professional growth. As professionals, we should embrace feedback, even if it is not what we want to hear. We should strive to seek out honest feedback that can help us identify areas for improvement and work towards becoming better versions of ourselves.
Daily Planning
I've been planning for a long time, and I have some tried-and-true methods to share with you.
Planning should be simple and to the point. Having a clear step-by-step system eliminates the guesswork. At the end of each day or the morning before starting work, I follow the same 4-step process:
Review my calendar for the next day's events.
Check notes from the day to ensure that there aren't any loose ends.
Write my to-do's for tomorrow in my Ugmonk Analog and migrate any unfinished items from today.
Create a plan for tomorrow in my Bullet Journal.
That's it. It's that simple. Planning doesn't have to be complicated but allows for tremendous clarity.
Monthly Dates
Having quality 1-on-1 time with my wife is important to me. With three kids, finding time to spend together can be hard, but we try to have monthly dates. This not only allows us to talk but also to get out of the house. It doesn't have to be anything complicated; we often go out for dinner or do something we wouldn't normally do.
Sometimes we order food and watch something at home. At the end of the day, it doesn't have to be complicated, and the 1-on-1 time is always valuable.
To be successful as a father, it's important to focus on daily activity, consistent writing, embracing feedback, daily planning, and monthly dates. These habits can help you become more present, happier, and healthier overall, making serving your family less complicated.
Daily activity is a game-changer for gaining mental clarity and reducing overall anxiety. Start simple by going for a 10-minute walk around the block, or find what works for you. Consistent writing, such as daily journaling, can help you gain clarity and identify patterns that may not otherwise come up. Regardless of the source, embracing feedback can be a challenging but important tool for personal and professional growth. Daily planning should be simple and to the point, with a clear step-by-step system to eliminate guesswork. Monthly dates are important for having quality 1-on-1 time with your spouse, allowing you to talk and get out of the house.
By implementing these habits into your daily routine, you can become more present, happier, and healthier overall, making serving your family less complicated. Remember to start simple and choose just one of these habits to implement into your daily routine starting today. And don't forget to share this article with a friend or family member who could benefit from developing these habits.