It's not about working harder but it's about working smarter and making the most of your time. Highly productive people have mastered certain daily habits that help them achieve their goals and still keep a balance in life.

Learn how you can be more effective and productive by inculcating some practices into your routine. Here's a look at the daily habits highly productive people!

Early rising - For most highly productive individuals, this is a common routine. Early rising gives a head start and hence, provides a quiet time without interruptions when you can focus on something more important. For instance, Tim Cook-CEO of Apple-rises before 4:30 a.m. to get a jump on his day. Try going to bed bit by bit much earlier than usual and set a fixed time to wake up. The early morning hours might just be an excellent time for plans, exercise, or personal projects.

Prioritizing tasks - Productive people use the Eisenhower Matrix or the Pomodoro Technique to prioritize and organize their tasks. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you divide activities into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance so that you can focus on what really matters. The Pomodoro Technique has intervals of focused working, usually in segments of 25 minutes, followed by brief rest periods. That would help you be in a good flow and avoid burning out. To create this routine, start every day with the preparation of a to-do list that outlines items by priority.

Setting clear goals - Having clear, actionable goals is critical in productivity. Highly productive people set themselves both near-term and long-term goals and then break those down into smaller, actionable tasks. They set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. If your goal, then, is to get fit, a good SMART goal would be to work out 30 minutes a day for five days a week for the coming three months. By setting clear goals, you will stay focused and motivated.

Keep a schedule - Consistency amounts to productivity. Most successful people have an everyday regime that encompasses time for work, exercise, and relaxation. A routine ensures that your day flows smoothly, minimizes decision fatigue, and saves your brain for more important tasks. For instance, making a morning routine that includes an exercise routine, a healthy breakfast, and planning your day can make the remaining part of your day quite productive. This also helps in dealing with stress and maintaining overall wellbeing.

Practice continuous learning - Several productive people spend part of their day on learning or personal improvement. It could be reading books, online courses, or even podcasts; all come under continuous learning and help a person increase their knowledge base and skill set. In fact, Warren Buffett spends around five hours a day reading and learning.

Mindfulness practice - It keeps them clear-headed and less stressed. Highly productive people use mindfulness practices to help them with focus and emotional regulation. For instance, Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs are known for injecting time into their daily schedules for mindfulness practices. Begin your day with a few minutes of meditation or deep breathing. This practice improves concentration, decision-making, and the ability to get more things done in less time.

By inculcating these daily habits into your schedule, you will become more productive and lead a better-balanced, fuller life. Start small. Be consistent. Watch these practices slowly reshape your daily routine.