Sometimes we are wasting our time doing things that are holding us back from being productive, happy and successful. And, often we don’t recognize those things until someone points them out. That was so true for me. Then I became an entrepreneur and learned how valuable each second of the day was – that there really wasn’t any time to waste on things that didn’t grow me or my business.

So to get started, here are eight habits I’ve adopted to boost my productivity and keep the momentum going.

Habit 1 – Limit Social Media

Being on social media – checking Facebook notifications, scrolling through pictures on Instagram, reading quick updates on Twitter, whatever – it’s part of everyday life. But if you don’t control how much time you spend on it the hours will fly by and you won’t have accomplished anything on your to-do list.

Either put a time limit on it – set an alarm for when you need to minimize it, close the app, do something else – or only get on after completing necessary work and tasks and use social media as a reward.

Habit 2 – Plan Every Day

Productive people have a purpose, a laser-focused plan of things they want to achieve on a particular day. I believe in writing things down – but only the top two or three things I need to accomplish that day, not a long list of to-do’s. Ask yourself, “What are the 2-3 things that I must get done today and when I look back on my day if I accomplished them, then it was indeed a great day?”

Habit 3 – Stop Doing Emotionally Draining Activities

If you want to create a truly productive life, you have to focus on things that positively fuel your life. Productive people don’t waste their time on things that emotionally drain them.

Before committing to activities on your schedule, be sure it will positively add to your day and life. If you believe it wont, then think about saying no, or not now. Don’t feel like your have to give an answer right when you’re being asked. Follow your gut. Don’t overthink it.

Habit 4 – Focus on things you can control.

Productive people realize that worrying gets you nowhere. Worrying has NEVER solved any problem. What solves problems is taking action.

Turn your thoughts to action-based activities. Focus on things you can get done and are in your control.

Habit 5 – Hang out with positive people.

You’ve heard it before. You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. So if you want to be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best people.

Be sure to eliminate negative, toxic energy around you. If you want to be everything you want to be, you have to drop the load that is weighing you down.

Habit 6 – Learn From Past Mistakes

We all make mistakes. The key to keep the momentum going in your life is not making the same mistakes twice, learning and growing from them and becoming a better person because of them – not in-spite of them.

When you make a mistake, get into a mindset that the mistake is done and you can’t go back to the past to correct it. You can be sure you don’t repeat it today or in the future. Focus on what you learned and design a strategy to positively move forward.

Habit 7 – Focus On Your Goals, Not What Others Are Doing

It’s great to be inspired by what other people are doing, but when you’re comparing yourself to the next person and it’s bringing you down, it’s time to change your mindset.

Be inspired by others, but focus on your mindset to only compete with the most important person: yourself.

Habit 8 – Make Yourself First Priority

We all go through times when we don’t get enough sleep or exercise because we need to work on a big project. But for long-term momentum, you must put yourself at the top of your list.

Some great ways to do this is to kick start your day by doing something you love to do – maybe it’s a great workout, meditating, journaling or reading your favorite book. Do what works for you. Because when you start off your day doing something you love and that is good for you, you’ll feel happy, focused and strong the rest of the day.

What’s on this list that you want to start building into your days?

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