5 Tips To Keep Your Productivity Up

Most of us know mornings matter, but we don’t give enough credit to what happens the night before. That’s exactly what Mel Robbins unpacked in this podcast, and being serious Mel fans in this office, we have taken this to heart. If your mornings feel like a chaotic scramble, it’s time for a reset—and it starts long before your alarm rings. Here’s the hack: Your morning routine begins the night before. 

 Why this matters for you? Whether you’re preparing for job interviews, getting ready to step into a new role, going for a promotion, or just trying to stay on top of life in general, how you end your day determines how powerfully, rested and motivated you start the next one. Mel shares her own turning point—from wine-fueled evenings and five-alarm wake-ups to an intentional, structured routine that helped her finally feel in control. The old version of her was exhausted, scattered, and constantly reacting (like most of us). The new version? Calm, proactive, in control and motivated to get stuff done.  

 

The 5-Step Evening Routine

 

1. Follow the 3-2-1 Rule - This simple countdown gives your mind and body time to wind down, improving your sleep and reducing stress.

• • 3 hours before bed: Stop eating and drinking alcohol
  • 2 hours before bed: Stop working
  • 1 hour before bed: Shut down all screens

2. Let the today you help make life easier for the tomorrow you. Lay out your clothes. Pack your lunch. Place your journal or water bottle where you’ll need it. These tiny steps remove morning friction and support better habits—without needing willpower at 6AM.
3. Give Yourself a Clean Slate. Mel calls this “flushing the toilet.” Don’t leave dishes in the sink or chaos on the counters. Clean surfaces = a clear mind. It’s visual peace that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Imagine not waking up and immediately thinking of all the things you haven’t done yet?
4. Set Your Alarm with Intention. Not 5 alarms. Just one. And when you set it, make a promise to your future self that you’ll keep it. This isn’t just about time—it’s about identity. What kind of person are you becoming? Are you a person excited about the day and tackling the bull by the horns? That person gets up with their alarm. Your brain will eventually get that on a subconscious level too.
5. Tuck Your Phone Away—Out of the Bedroom. Plug your phone in anywhere but your bedside. This boundary protects your sleep, your focus, and your energy. If it’s your alarm, great—you’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off.

 

The Bottom Line

 You don’t need a fancy app or a complicated system. You just need to care enough about the version of yourself who wakes up tomorrow. Make their life easier. Set them up for a win. Because when your evenings are intentional, your mornings get easier. When your mornings get easier, your days get better. And over time, those better days build the life you actually want.