5 Unproductive Habits That Are The Worst (And How To Quit Them)

If you’re on a mission to create a productive lifestyle, routine decluttering is the first thing you want to look at. Check out these 5 unproductive habits that might be ruining your day and learn some hands-on ways to chuck them out of your life.

woman on bed reading on phone about habits that destroy your productivity

These days, I keep stumbling across articles that give some brilliant advice on raising your productivity.

I totally get the hype. Productivity is, after all, a powerful tool you need for success, happiness, and prosperity.

Now, I’m a sucker for all things related to growth and success.

But one thing I realized early on in my life was that to make space for good things, you first need to get rid of all the junk.

I like to call it a declutter program, something you should partake in if you’re looking to improve your life.

In simpler terms, get rid of the habits that hold you back, then create the ones that will make you flourish.

When you do this, you naturally attract active energy and a better routine.

And that’s perfect because an active routine is the foundation of productivity, which is our ultimate goal here.

Before reading further, pin this post to be able to read again later.

In this post, we’re going to look into some of the worst unproductive habits that mess up your daily routine.

And since there is no point discussing your unproductive habits without a ‘how-to-quit’ guide, I’ve also dropped some effective tips that will help you discard each of these habits.

If you’re ready to discard unproductivity to make way for a better life, read on.

5 Unproductive Habits That Mess Up Your Routine

1. The Big Old Procrastination

Think you might be bitten by the procrastination bug? You’re not alone, my friend.

Some time ago, I slipped into a massive procrastination zone.

It was strange and a little terrifying because all my life I’ve taken pride in being very good at keeping my routines.

I say it’s good that it happened, because a) I learned that I am not prone to slipping off track. b) I taught myself to face my fears head-on.

There are a number of reasons why we procrastinate.

The top factors are fear of failing, having an all-or-nothing mindset, feeling overwhelmed, and disinterest in the task.

Regardless of the cause, one thing is clear – Procrastination needs to be chucked out of your life.

It’s a habit that robs you of your self-confidence, holds you back from reaching your true potential and can be harmful to your mind’s brilliant tendencies.

Seriously, you are awesome, and this pesky thing shouldn’t be the reason why you are not able to realize your true worth.

Let’s take a quick detour of tips that can help you deal with procrastination.

How To Beat Procrastination Like A Pro

Recognize your reasons for procrastinating, and target them head-on.
Get over your fear of the unknown. Nothing is stronger than your mind’s capabilities.
Create a daily checklist at the start of the day to hold yourself accountable.
Use a timer to increase your focus. Start by setting 5-10 minutes of periods, and gradually build up.
Talk to a friend about this. It always helps to acknowledge things that are not working out for you.
Use Google Calendar to design your weekly schedule.
Read ‘The 5-Second Rule’ by Mel Robbins. It’s really good!

A Post I Highly Recommend: How To Be A Positive Person (10 Mindful Habits)

2. Passing Time

There are 24 hours in a day, 1440 minutes, and 26400 seconds.

That’s a lot of time to be productive and get things done.

But the thing is, we have to take our limits into consideration. It’s never a smart idea to stretch your brain beyond its limits.

There is a difference between being productive and being a workaholic. I think we all know which one is something we want to stray away from.

But there is another category that falls somewhere off-side – Passing your time just for the sake of it.

Again, it’s not a new thing. It’s something even successful people have struggled with in the past.

How do you know whether you pass your time just for the sake of it, or if you’re someone who’s truly relaxing?

There are plenty of differences between the two.

For example, taking a nap after a tiring work session is a healthy habit that encourages your body to do better.

On the other hand, scrolling through your social media feed for hours on end is a time pass.

Bedtime journaling is a positive mental exercise that helps you sleep better at night.

But lying in bed doing nothing and making a regular habit out of this, is again, a waste of the soothing hours of your bedtime.

Many of us end up wasting a lot of precious hours without even being aware of it.

Suffice it to say, we need to stop killing time and use it to its full potential.

TIPS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TIME

First and foremost, start journaling. It is an excellent use of your free time.
Get in touch with your old hobbies. Pick up that guitar, find your color box, and explore your creative side.
Find new hobbies that fit your personality the best.
Work on your time-management skills.
Practice mindfulness, the art of living each moment of your life with blissful awareness.
Use your free time to catch up with friends. Go to their house, call them, facetime them, or write an e-mail.
Listen to motivating podcasts. I am listening to ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’ these days; it’s really good.
Read books – they can be your new best friends.

You Might Like: 10 Girl Boss Habits For A Classy And Successful Life

3. Digital Media Distraction

Digital media has been around for some time now, but it keeps adapting itself according to the latest technology. And sadly, so does the distraction that it causes.

When I was a kid, it was the television that would keep me hooked. Then I was introduced to a beaten-up old box called the phone, and my world changed forever.

Soon, we had laptops, social media, and countless other advancements that were mind-boggling and exciting.

These things are of tremendous help, no doubt, but let’s face it – Digitial media distraction exists, and it might be the biggest hurdle on your path to productivity.

Think about it. How many times have you stopped mid-work to scroll through your social media feeds?

How often do you binge-watch movies and TV shows, putting off your important tasks (and in turn, promoting procrastination.)

And if you’re a student, how many hours of studying do you manage to get in without giving in to the urge to check your phone?

This can be a toxic habit to deal with, but trust me when I say this – it’s not your fault.

These things are designed to keep you hooked. It’s how this industry makes money!

But that isn’t to say you can’t find a fine balance, and use it to your advantage.

Let’s take a look at how you, as a regular user, can gain full control over your digital media usage hours.

AVOIDING DIGITAL MEDIA DISTRACTION

Assign a fixed number of hours for social media, and stick to this number.
Have digital media detox at least once a week. An hour every day would be even great.
Avoid mindless browsing. It doesn’t add any value to your life.
Put your phone away while doing any file work.
In your free time, indulge in some hobbies rather than picking up your phone.
While working on your computer, turn on focus-building music to avoid straying to distracting websites.

4. Having A Distorted Routine

It’s good to flow with life, but not when it comes to your daily routine.

Having a distorted routine is a recipe for unproductivity. It stops you from having order in your life and makes it hard to build better habits.

Now, I am a person who loves switching up her routine every now and then.

Ask my friends, and they’ll tell you they can never keep up with the changes I introduce to my routines.

But that’s the thing – every routine I create is to accommodate the latest developments in my life.

I make sure to make it as healthy as I can and fill it with ample time for both productivity and relaxation.

And that right there is the key to a good routine – Balanced hours that cater to your work, body’s wellness, and mental health.

If you’ve been struggling to stick to a routine, then it might be time to ditch those spontaneous activities and align yourself with an order that fits your lifestyle.

Create routines for every time of your day, and stick to them for at least 5 days a week.

Your morning routine should be jam-packed with uplifting activities, afternoons should be a good mix of rest and work, and nights should be all about self-care.

Weekends should be all about recharging your spirit and prepping yourself for the coming week.

HOW I CAN HELP WITH THIS

If you’d take a look around my blog, you’d find many articles on building good habits and routines. It’s one of the things I write a lot about on my site.

If you’re looking to build new routines, these are the posts you want to check out:

There is a ton of information in there that would help you create a solid plan for your mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

5. Doing Things Without Focus

We are onto our last item on this list, and I believe it to be one of the most overlooked unproductive habits.

When we think of productivity, the number of active work hours naturally pops up as an association.

It is believed that a high productivity rate should have a high number of working hours.

There might be some truth to that, but there is one factor that forms the crux of productivity – a sharp and focused mind.

If you do a task with utmost attention even for an hour, its value far surpasses 6 hours of unfocused work time.

On the other hand, working without focus makes your mind lazy and unproductive.

You also end up tiring yourself, leaving little space for other areas of your life.

That’s why you should value quality over quantity.

However you choose to spend your time, do it with laser-sharp focus, and avoid working with a disoriented mind at all costs.

BUILDING FOCUS THAT LASTS

Start your day with a morning workout. It’s the best way to activate both your brain and your body.
Listen to concentration music while doing your important tasks.
Get rid of anything that distracts you while you work.
Take short breaks in-between to avoid tiring yourself.
Breathe in some fresh air. Always remember that nature is the best healer.
Yoga works like magic.
Meditate for at least 15 minutes a day. It can be life-changing.

Quit These Unproductive Habits For A Better Routine

There is no doubt that productivity makes you self-sufficient, happy, and healthy.

It makes life easier to manage and helps you strike a good balance between your personal and professional life.

Though, before building anything substantial, it’s important to rid yourself of your not-so-good and unproductive habits.

To simplify your life, you need to ditch your habit of procrastination, stop wasting time and avoid getting distracted by digital media.

Building a good routine should be your top priority. It helps you stay organized and active all day long.

Lastly, don’t do anything without focus.

Be active, take part in exercises that increase your attention span, and make your way to a more productive life.

Were you able to relate to any of the unproductive habits mentioned in this post? Share your thoughts in the comment box. I’m always up for a good chat.

5 Unproductive Habits That Are The Worst (And How To Ditch Them For Good)