I used to think productivity was all about willpower—just push harder, stay focused, and power through. But the truth is, our environment plays a huge role in how much we get done.
The way we set up our space, the distractions we allow, even the small habits we build into our surroundings can either work for us or against us. And the best part? A few simple changes can make a massive difference.
If you really want to be more productive, start by tweaking your environment. Here are seven easy adjustments that can help you get more done—without burning out.
Most people don’t realize how much their environment affects their focus.
A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. When there’s too much stuff around, your brain has to work harder to filter out distractions—even if you’re not consciously aware of it.
Studies have shown that a messy environment can increase stress, reduce focus, and make it harder to switch between tasks efficiently.
On the flip side, a clean and organized workspace can help you think more clearly and stay on track.
You don’t need to go full minimalist, but taking a few minutes each day to tidy up can make a big difference in your productivity.
Start by removing anything that doesn’t serve a purpose in your work—your brain will thank you for it.
I used to think I could work through anything—chatty coworkers, background TV, even the constant ping of notifications. But after struggling to stay focused for way too long, I realized noise was quietly sabotaging my productivity.
One day, I tried working in complete silence, and it felt like my brain finally had room to think. That’s when I started paying attention to how different sounds affected my focus.
For deep work, I now use noise-canceling headphones or play soft instrumental music. When I need energy, I’ll put on a playlist with upbeat tracks.
And if I’m in a distracting environment, I find a quieter spot or use white noise to block it out.
The right sound—or lack of it—can make a huge difference in how well you concentrate. If you’ve never experimented with controlling your noise levels, it’s worth a try.
You might be surprised at how much more you can get done.
Productivity isn’t just about managing time—it’s also about managing your mindset. And that requires resilience.
There will always be distractions, setbacks, and moments when you don’t feel like doing the work.
That’s why I’ve learned to set up my environment in a way that encourages mental toughness.
One simple trick? Surrounding myself with small reminders of perseverance—whether it’s a quote on my wall, a book within reach, or even just a clean, distraction-free desk that signals it’s time to focus.
In my book, The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I talk about how resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. And one of the easiest ways to strengthen it is by designing your environment to support discipline and focus.
If you want to get more done, set up your space to remind you of your goals and keep you on track—even when motivation fades.
Small changes can make a big difference in staying mentally strong and productive.
It’s amazing how quickly “just a few minutes” of scrolling can turn into half an hour. And once focus is broken, it’s hard to get back into deep work.
For a long time, I struggled with this. Any time a task felt overwhelming or boring, I’d instinctively reach for my phone or open a new tab.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be productive—I just let the easiest escape win. Eventually, I realized I had to make distractions harder to access.
Now, I leave my phone in another room when I need to focus. I use website blockers to keep myself from mindlessly checking social media.
And I set a rule: if I feel the urge to escape a task, I have to sit with that feeling for at least five minutes before doing anything else.
The fewer easy escapes you have, the easier it is to stay locked in on what really matters.
It sounds productive to squeeze every bit of time for work—filling gaps between meetings, responding to emails while eating, pushing through exhaustion to “get just one more thing done.”
But ironically, this approach often leads to burnout, slower thinking, and worse results.
Some of my most productive breakthroughs have happened when I wasn’t actively working—while going for a walk, taking a break, or even staring out the window.
That’s because our brains need space to process, reflect, and reset. When we over-optimize every minute, we lose that.
Instead of trying to maximize every second, try building in intentional pauses. Step away when you feel stuck. Give yourself time to think without pressure.
It feels counterintuitive, but sometimes the best way to get more done is to stop working so hard.
Getting started is often the hardest part. The longer you hesitate, the more resistance builds up.
I’ve found that having a simple ritual before diving into work makes all the difference. It signals to my brain that it’s time to focus, cutting through procrastination and hesitation.
For me, it’s as simple as making a cup of coffee, putting on my headphones, and opening my notebook to jot down my first task. Once I do that, getting into the flow feels effortless.
Your ritual doesn’t have to be complicated. It could be stretching for a minute, listening to a specific song, or even just closing unnecessary tabs.
The key is consistency—when you repeat the same small action before starting work, your brain learns to associate it with focus.
If you struggle with getting started, don’t wait for motivation. Build a ritual that makes beginning automatic.
Time management is useless if you’re too drained to use your time well.
I used to pack my schedule as efficiently as possible, thinking that was the key to productivity.
But I ignored how different tasks affected my energy. Some work left me feeling motivated and clear-headed, while other tasks completely drained me. And no amount of time-blocking could fix that.
Now, I structure my day around my energy levels. I tackle deep work when I’m naturally most focused, batch draining tasks together, and give myself permission to rest before burnout hits. Instead of forcing productivity, I work with my energy—not against it.
If you really want to get more done, don’t just ask, Do I have time for this? Ask, Do I have the energy for this?
We like to think of productivity as a matter of discipline or motivation, but the truth is, our environment quietly shapes our habits, focus, and energy every single day.
The spaces we work in, the distractions we allow, and even the small rituals we adopt all send signals to our brain—either making deep work easier or constantly pulling us away from it.
When you start paying attention to those signals, you realize something important: productivity isn’t just about working harder; it’s about setting yourself up to succeed.
This is closely tied to resilience. In my book, The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness, I explore how mental strength isn’t just about pushing through challenges—it’s about designing your life in a way that supports long-term success.
The same applies here. A well-designed environment doesn’t just make you more productive today; it helps you stay consistent over time.
So take a look around. What small changes could make focus easier? What subtle distractions could be holding you back?
Because the more intentional you are about shaping your environment, the less you’ll have to rely on sheer willpower—and the more effortlessly productive you’ll become.
The post If you really want to be more productive, make these 7 simple environment changes appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
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