There’s a vast difference between living each day as it comes and taking conscious steps to shape your life.

The difference is in purposeful action. Living aimlessly is like being a ship without a compass, tossed about by life’s waves. But taking intentional steps each day gives you the power to steer your life in the direction you want it to go.

Becoming more productive and happy doesn’t happen by accident. It requires daily habits that contribute to your wellbeing, productivity, and overall satisfaction with life. And as someone who’s spent years studying mindfulness and Buddhism, I can tell you, the right daily habits can transform your life in as little as 60 days.

In this article, I’ll be sharing 8 things you should start doing every day to become a more productive and happier person. These are habits I’ve incorporated into my own life with great success, and I believe they will help you too.

Let’s get started. 

1) Mindful mornings

The importance of how you start your day cannot be overstated.

In the realm of productivity and happiness, the way you kick-off your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. And those immersed in mindfulness and Buddhism, like myself, can attest to this.

You see, mornings are often a chaotic rush for many people. Alarm clocks blaring, rushed breakfasts, hurried showers – it’s a whirlwind of activity that can leave you feeling frazzled before the day has even properly begun.

But what if you could change that? What if you started your day with calmness and intention instead?

Welcome to the power of mindful mornings.

Mindful mornings involve carving out some time for yourself each morning to set your intentions for the day. It’s about quiet reflection, meditative practices, or even just enjoying a cup of tea in silence.

The aim is to start your day with a sense of peace and purpose, rather than stress and hurry. And the beautiful part is, it doesn’t have to take long. Even just 5-10 minutes can make a significant difference.

By doing this every day, you’re not only setting yourself up for a more productive day but also paving the way towards greater happiness. It’s about grounding yourself in the present moment and starting your day with positivity and clarity.

It’s essential to be genuine with this practice. Mindfulness isn’t about ticking off boxes; it’s about truly connecting with yourself each morning. So give it a try and see how it transforms your days.

2) Daily gratitude

If there’s one practice that’s transformed my life, it’s cultivating an attitude of gratitude.

As someone who spends a lot of time studying and practicing mindfulness and Buddhism, I can’t tell you enough about the transformative power of gratitude. It’s a simple practice, but its effects are profound.

Gratitude is about acknowledging the good in your life, even in the simplest things. It’s about appreciating what you have rather than focusing on what you lack.

Perhaps Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk, said it best: “When we have peace and joy inside us, if we have been taking care of it for one day, two days, three days, it begins to radiate from within us, and the people around us will benefit from our peace and joy.”

So how do you cultivate gratitude daily? It could be as simple as jotting down three things you’re grateful for each morning or pausing throughout the day to appreciate the little moments of joy.

By practicing gratitude every day, you begin to shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. And that can make a tremendous difference in your happiness and productivity levels.

It’s not just about listing things you’re thankful for. It’s about truly feeling that appreciation in your heart. So take a moment each day to pause, breathe and give thanks. You’ll be surprised at the joy it brings.

3) Embrace impermanence

This one might be a bit harder to swallow, but it’s a core tenet of Buddhism that can profoundly impact your happiness and productivity.

Life is constantly changing. Nothing stays the same forever – not your circumstances, not your feelings, not even you. This idea is encapsulated in the Buddhist concept of ‘anicca’, or impermanence.

We often resist change because it’s uncomfortable and uncertain. But resisting change only leads to suffering. When we cling to how things were or stress over how they might be, we miss out on the beauty of now.

Embracing impermanence means accepting that change is a part of life. It involves letting go of our need for control and certainty and learning to flow with the ebbs and flows of life.

Practically, this could mean acknowledging that your to-do list may not always go as planned. Some days, you might not get everything done, and that’s okay. Or it could mean accepting that some days will be harder than others, but this too shall pass.

Embracing impermanence doesn’t mean giving up or becoming passive. It means acknowledging change as an inherent part of life and learning to adapt accordingly.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, I know. But once you start embracing impermanence rather than fighting it, you’ll find a level of peace and productivity you never thought possible. It’s about being present in the moment, no matter what that moment brings. And isn’t that the essence of true productivity and happiness?

4) Practice mindful eating

In our fast-paced world, meals are often rushed affairs. We gobble down our food while scrolling through our phones or watching TV, barely tasting what we’re eating. But did you know that this mindless eating can impact your happiness and productivity levels?

Mindful eating is the practice of paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking. It’s about savoring each bite, noticing the flavors, textures, and smells, and truly appreciating the nourishment it provides.

When you eat mindfully, you’re not just feeding your body; you’re nourishing your mind as well. This focused attention brings you back to the present moment and can have a calming effect. Plus, it helps you tune into your body’s hunger and fullness cues, which can contribute to a healthier relationship with food.

But let’s be honest here – mastering mindful eating isn’t easy. It requires practice and patience.

You might start by choosing one meal or snack each day where you’ll commit to eating mindfully. Put away any distractions, take small bites, chew slowly, and really pay attention to the experience.

Mindful eating may seem simple (or even a bit “out there”), but it can be a powerful practice for enhancing your productivity and happiness. It’s an opportunity to slow down, check in with yourself, and bring a dose of mindfulness into your everyday routine. Give it a try – you might just be surprised at the difference it makes.

5) Cultivate a ‘minimum ego’

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned in my journey with mindfulness and Buddhism is the concept of “minimum ego”.

Having a ‘minimum ego’ doesn’t mean losing your sense of self or becoming a doormat for others. Rather, it’s about recognizing that your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs aren’t absolute truths. It’s about being humble enough to question yourself and open enough to consider other perspectives.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I delve deeper into this concept and how it can transform your life.

Adopting a ‘minimum ego’ approach can significantly boost your productivity and happiness. It allows you to navigate life with more flexibility and resilience, as you’re not constantly defending or asserting your viewpoint. You become more receptive to new ideas, which can fuel creativity and problem-solving.

Incorporating this into your daily life could be as simple as pausing before reacting to a situation, questioning your assumptions, or actively seeking out different viewpoints. It’s about stepping back, observing your thoughts and actions without judgment, and allowing space for growth.

So why not give it a try? Start cultivating a ‘minimum ego’ and see how it changes your perspective – on yourself, others, and the world around you.

And if you’re curious to learn more, I invite you to explore my book. It’s packed with practical wisdom that can help you live life with maximum impact and minimum ego.

6) Cultivate compassion

This one’s a toughie. In a world where competition is often promoted over cooperation, cultivating compassion can seem out of place. But hear me out.

Compassion, a central tenet in both Buddhism and mindfulness, is about recognizing the suffering in others and wanting to alleviate it. It’s about stepping outside of our own experiences and connecting with others on a deeper level.

But let’s be honest – compassion isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s downright difficult. It can be hard to feel compassion for someone who has wronged us or for those whose beliefs we don’t agree with.

Yet, cultivating compassion is one of the most transformative practices you can adopt. Not only does it foster a sense of interconnectedness with others, but it also contributes to our own happiness and productivity.

Why? Because when we extend compassion to others, we’re also extending it to ourselves. We’re acknowledging our shared human experience – the triumphs and struggles, the joys and sorrows. And this can free us from the chains of resentment and anger that weigh us down.

To practice compassion daily, start by trying to understand others’ perspectives. When you encounter someone who irritates or hurts you, instead of reacting with anger or annoyance, try to understand their viewpoint. Recognize their humanity. Acknowledge that they, like you, are dealing with their own struggles.

Cultivating compassion isn’t about being a doormat or ignoring wrongs. It’s about recognizing our shared humanity and responding with kindness rather than judgment. It’s a path to greater happiness, productivity, and peace – both for yourself and those around you.

7) Practice non-attachment

Non-attachment is a fundamental concept in Buddhism, yet it’s often misunderstood. It doesn’t mean renouncing worldly possessions or relationships. Rather, it’s about not clinging to things, people, or even ideas, understanding that everything is transient.

Let’s face it – we live in a world where we’re constantly encouraged to chase after more: more money, more success, more stuff. But this constant chasing often leaves us feeling dissatisfied and restless.

Non-attachment is a way to break free from this cycle. It’s about finding contentment in the present moment and not basing our happiness on external circumstances or possessions.

As the renowned mindfulness expert, Jon Kabat-Zinn said: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” Non-attachment is learning to surf life’s waves without getting swept up in them.

Practicing non-attachment can lead to increased productivity and happiness. When we’re not consumed by wanting or fearing, we free up mental energy that can be used elsewhere. We become more present, more focused, and less driven by fleeting emotions.

Incorporating non-attachment into your daily life could be as simple as recognizing when you’re clinging to something – be it a possession, a person, or an outcome – and consciously choosing to let go of that tight grip. It’s not always easy; in fact, it can be downright challenging. But the peace and freedom that come with non-attachment are truly liberating. Give it a try and see the difference it makes in your life.

8) Embrace ‘doing nothing’

In our hustle culture, the idea of ‘doing nothing’ might seem counterproductive, even lazy. But as a mindfulness practitioner, I can tell you that it’s anything but.

Mindfulness teaches us the importance of stillness and rest. In our busy lives, we’re often so focused on doing that we forget the art of being. We’re human beings, after all, not human doings.

Embracing ‘doing nothing’ isn’t about laziness or inactivity. It’s about giving yourself permission to just be, without any agenda or aim. It’s about taking a break from the constant noise and activity to just sit quietly and observe.

Believe it or not, this ‘doing nothing’ can actually boost your productivity and happiness levels. It provides a much-needed respite for your mind, allowing it to recharge and refresh. It can also foster creativity, as it’s in these quiet moments that ideas often emerge.

So carve out some time each day for ‘doing nothing’. It could be as simple as sitting quietly for 5 minutes, taking a leisurely walk without your phone, or just gazing out of the window.

You’re not wasting time; you’re investing in your wellbeing.

Give yourself permission to do nothing every once in a while. You might just find that it’s the most productive thing you do all day.

Conclusion

Change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistency and patience. But by incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you’re taking a proactive step towards shaping your life.

Through mindfulness and Buddhism, I’ve learned that it’s the small, daily actions that lead to significant transformations. If you’re curious to delve deeper into these principles and how they can help you live with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to explore my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

Remember, the journey towards productivity and happiness is a personal one. What works for one person might not work for another. So take these practices, adapt them to your needs, and most importantly, be patient with yourself. Here’s to a more productive and happier you in the next 60 days!