When people think about online content creation, the lifestyle is probably the first to come to mind. However, plenty of other things go on in the background. Having your personal life in check is crucial for ensuring that you can focus more intensely on your craft.

Building habits can help you stay more focused and complete more work within a shorter period of time. But what exactly should you do in order to stay productive as a content creator? Let’s find out.

1. Meditation

Many people struggle to stay focused, and it’s all too easy for your mind to juggle multiple thoughts at once. Meditation is one of the best practices you can incorporate into your daily life to tackle these problems.

You can try multiple kinds of meditation, but the most beginner-friendly option is to use your smartphone’s timer app and start with 60 seconds. You can build up from there onwards.

If you need some guided assistance, you can choose from several meditation apps.

2. Sunlight Before Screen Light

Unfortunately, many people live sedentary lives these days. One particularly negative consequence of that is not getting outside enough, which can make it harder to focus on creative work.

Generally speaking, you should try to avoid checking your phone notifications first thing in the morning. One good practice you can try, as has been endorsed by Andrew Huberman multiple times, is “sunlight before screen light.”

Huberman has said that you can still get the benefits of this if it’s cloudy. In the winter, you might need to use artificial light—but getting outside and enjoying the fresh air is a good idea regardless.

3. Cold Water Exposure

Voluntary cold water exposure is a great tool for making you feel more energized in the morning. And although the research isn’t conclusive, it could have other benefits elsewhere. For example, one study of 3,018 people in 2015 revealed that participants who took cold showers were 29% less likely to have sick days than those who didn’t.

I personally began taking cold showers in late 2019 and have seen a huge boost in my motivation and energy. This has, in turn, improved how I show up with my creative pursuits.

Even if the evidence isn’t conclusive on the benefits of cold water exposure, it’s hard to deny that taking a cold shower is difficult. The very act of doing something hard will better equip you when difficulties arise in your online content creation.

If you are interested in cold water exposure, you can always try various apps for practicing Wim Hof breathing and cold therapy.

4. Journaling About Your Creative Pursuit

As Tiago Forte mentions in his book Building a Second Brain, our brains are amazing for generating ideas. However, we shouldn’t use our brains as a place to store these thoughts. Journaling is an excellent way to get your thoughts on paper, and it’s definitely worth writing about your personal life to identify where you need to fix things.

You should also journal about your creative pursuit. You can talk about what’s going well, where you think you can improve, and make a note of any big ideas that you have.

Journaling on paper is effective for many people, but you might want to use a digital app instead. Bullet journal apps for effortless bullet journaling are a good starting point.

5. Shut Down Your Computer at a Certain Time

Being an online creator gives you immense freedom if you’re able to make money from your pursuits. One of those is the ability to design your own schedule. But one mistake that many people make is working longer than they should, just because they theoretically can.

Constantly being switched on might seem like a good idea. After all, you can write more, respond to other users, and ensure that your email inbox is at zero. However, the reality is often quite different. Often, creators will feel worse the day after because they’ve spent too much time online.

Setting a strict time each day to shut down your computer and stop working is a good idea. You can choose whatever time fits your needs best, as long as you stick to it. Getting an app such as Screen Time might help you with this.

6. No Screens for One Day Each Week

Whether you’re a filmmaker, a writer, or another form of online creator, you’ll probably spend a lot of time in front of your computer screen. Many people also spend significant time on their smartphones when not working, and this can make it hard to think creatively.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to adopt a rule where you don’t use any screens for at least one day each week. You can use this time to be present with your friends and family, and going out for walks is another healthy habit.

7. Dedicate Time Each Day to Learn More About Your Craft

When you become a professional online creator, it’s easy to spend all of your time implementing. And while this is great, you should also be actively learning to ensure that you continue improving over the long run.

Dedicating 30-60 minutes to learning about your craft daily is a solid return on investment. You can use free resources such as YouTube, along with reading blogs and taking online courses. Make sure you choose the right online course that suits you best.

8. A Regular Sleep-Wake Pattern

Some people might have you believe that sleep deprivation is a badge of honor, but it really isn’t. At the very best, you’ll perform worse than would otherwise be the case. And at the very worst, you could risk your health in the long run.

Having a regular sleep-wake pattern should be non-negotiable where possible. Of course, life can get in the way—especially if you have kids. However, aiming for eight hours of sleep per night is a good starting point. If you need some assistance, you can use various sleep apps to track your rest.

9. Read More

Books are a fantastic way to build knowledge about a certain topic from people who’ve already done the thing you want to do. You’ll likely also get plenty of creative ideas when you read, plus there is the added benefit of being away from your screen.

Some people prefer physical books, but you can also buy a Kindle eReader if you’d prefer.

Key Takeaways

• Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can help you stay focused and tackle multiple thoughts at once, making it easier to create online content.
• Prioritize spending time outside in natural sunlight before looking at screens, as it can improve focus and creativity.
• Consider voluntary cold water exposure, like taking cold showers, to boost energy and motivation, which can benefit your online content creation.

Fuel Your Content Creation Career With Healthy Habits

Being an online content creator is about more than just your craft. Building positive habits in other parts of your life will feed into your work, and you’ll likely feel better when you incorporate them.

From meditating to reading, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your creativity, productivity, and overall quality of life.