7 Habits That Will Make You Smarter and More Productive

Feeling overwhelmed juggling a million tasks?

Struggling to power through that mental fog?

Fed up with putting in long hours but not seeing results?

You’re not alone – we all want to be at our sharpest and most efficient. But constantly feeling burnt out, scattered, and unproductive is the enemy of peak performance. The good news? Simple habits can train your brain to operate at its best.

Ready to upgrade your gray matter and get more done?

Habit 1: Feed Your Brain

You know that sluggish, fuzzy feeling when you’ve been spacing out at your computer for hours? That’s your brain pleading for nutrients and rest.

Listen up:

• Munch on brain-boosting snacks like blueberries, nuts, avocados and leafy greens. Studies show they enhance memory, focus and cognitive function.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Sleep recharges your brain so it can fire on all cylinders. When you’re well-rested, you’ll think smarter.
• Take breaks to move – even a quick 5-minute walk increases blood flow and clears mental fog.

When you nourish your noggin, you’ll have more brainpower to tackle tasks.

Habit 2: Train Your Focus

In our distracting digital world, the ability to stay laser-focused is a superpower. Here’s how to flex that mental muscle:

• Notice when your mind wanders, then gently guide your attention back to the task at hand. This builds focus over time.
• Work in 50-90 minute focused blocks, taking short breaks between to recharge. Pushing past this leads to poor concentration.
• Minimize distractions and multitasking. Neuroscience shows our brains can’t effectively juggle multiple threads. Stay single-threaded.
• Do your toughest tasks first when you have the most mental stamina. Save easier work for later.

The more you practice staying present and shutting out distractions, the stronger your focus becomes.

Habit 3: Learn Something New

Did you know learning stimulates the creation of new neural pathways in your brain? Picking up fresh knowledge literally makes you smarter. Here are some ideas to exercise your gray matter:

• Take an online course in a subject that fascinates you. Learning engages your brain in novel ways.
• Read books and articles introducing new concepts, philosophies and perspectives. Expand your horizons.
• Pick up a new hobby like playing an instrument, painting, coding or woodworking. Hands-on learning turbocharges cognition.
• Switch up your routines by driving a new route, eating unique cuisine or traveling somewhere unfamiliar. New experiences build brain cells.

Making a habit of learning invigorates your mind. It’s the definition of using it or losing it!

Habit 4: Exercise Regularly

We all know physical activity is good for our bodies. But did you know it’s also one of the best things you can do for your brain? Here’s what exercise does upstairs:

• Increases oxygen flow to your brain providing it with energy and nourishment to think clearly.
• Prompts neurogenesis – the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, boosting learning and memory.
• Releases BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein that supports existing brain cells and promotes neuron growth.

You don’t have to train like an Olympian either. Aim for:

• Aerobic exercise like walking, swimming or cycling 3-5 times per week for 30-60 minutes. Gets your heart pumping oxygen.
• Strength training 2-3 times weekly. Lifting weights promotes BDNF and slows age-related cognitive decline.

A few sweaty sessions per week can do wonders for your brainpower!

Habit 5: Meditate Regularly

In our frenetic, over-scheduled world, meditation is a superpower for mental clarity and focus.

Just 10-20 minutes per day spent following your breath can:

• Increase your attention span by strengthening the neural circuits that regulate focus and concentration.
• Reduce stress and anxiety by lowering levels of the hormone cortisol. Less frazzled = smarter performance.
• Improve emotional intelligence by strengthening the areas of your brain managing emotions and decision making.

But meditation takes practice. Be patient and persistent with these tips:

• Start small with just 5-10 minutes per day. Work your way up over time.
• Use a guided app like Calm or Insight Timer when you’re just getting started.
• Pick the same time every day and treat it like an important meeting with yourself.

The more regularly you pause, breathe deeply and clear your mind, the sharper your focus will become.

Habit 6: Hang With Smart Folks

You know the saying – you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with?

The people around you rub off in big ways, including when it comes to intelligence and productivity.

Spend more time with:

• Well-read, intellectually curious people. Their openness to learning and growth will positively influence you.
• Hard workers who hustle toward their goals. You can’t help but up your own game.
• Creative trailblazers and original thinkers. Innovative minds will spark new ideas in you too.
• Relationships have a powerful mirror effect. Choose your crew wisely and soak up their smart habits!

Habit 7: Embrace Failure

You’ve heard it before – the tallest trees were once little seeds that stuck with it despite stormy weather.

Persisting through failure and viewing missteps as opportunities to grow is vital for boosting brainpower. Why?

• Mistakes create new neural connections as we analyze what went wrong and adapt. That’s how our brains develop!
• Quitting robs us of hard-won knowledge. Pushing through setbacks leads to true mastery.
• Fear of failure limits us. The willingness to take intellectual risks expands our potential.

So feel the fear and embrace mistakes! All the genius innovators failed repeatedly before their breakthroughs.

Get sharing, engaging and talking!

There you have it – 7 Habits That Will Make You Smarter and More Productive.
But here’s the real game changer – keeping these practices feels way easier when you’ve got an awesome crew championing you on.

So let’s hear it – which of these habits has been most helpful for firing up your focus and mental muscle? Any other smart tips to add?

I would love hear in the comment below. Your participation seeds new ideas and even help others.

And of course, amplify this intel by sharing it with your love ones or even on social media. Smarter brains = a smarter world for all!