How I Turned Around One of My Worst Productivity Days This Month

About two Tuesdays ago, I woke up with zero motivation. Zero focus. Zero energy.

Yes, it happens to every human—even a productivity coach.

It was the kind of day where your brain flat-out refuses to cooperate. Mine was screaming, “We’re not doing anything today.”

Sound familiar?

The problem isn’t that it happens. The real issue is how we choose to respond to it.

Now, if you’re wired like most high achievers, your first instinct on days like this is probably to push harder. Power through. Grind it out.

But here’s the thing…

That strategy? It backfires more often than it works.

Instead of forcing productivity, I tried something different—something counterintuitive. And it changed everything.

Why Pushing Through Isn’t Always the Answer

Research in cognitive neuroscience and performance psychology has shown that when your prefrontal cortex (the brain’s command center) is fatigued, trying to force focus is like trying to drive a car on an empty tank—it only leads to burnout and frustration.

Our culture glorifies hustle, but the science tells a different story.

What we actually need in those moments is strategic recovery.

Here’s What I Did Instead—and Why It Worked

That morning, I gave myself permission to pause. I stepped back. I rested.

I’d been pushing hard for a few days—long hours, high output, and minimal recovery. And my body was asking (no, demanding) a break.

But the turning point came later in the morning when I decided to go through my morning or startup routine—even though it was already mid-morning.

This wasn’t about “catching up” or guilt-driven productivity.

It was about resetting my system.

I did the following:

🧘🏽 30 minutes of prayer and meditation
This wasn't just for peace of mind. Meditation and prayer have been shown to reduce stress and increase clarity. This was my way of grounding myself and realigning with my purpose and objectives for the day.

📝 A quick review of my 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs)
Research by productivity expert Ivy Lee and later expanded by time-blocking advocates like Cal Newport emphasizes the power of focusing on just 2–3 high-leverage tasks per day. This quick review gave my day structure and direction, without overwhelming me.

🏃🏽‍♂️ 45 minutes of running
Physical activity boosts endorphins and dopamine—all essential for mental clarity and emotional regulation. I didn’t run for the calories; I ran to reset my mind.

🧊 A cold shower
Yes, it sounds brutal. But cold exposure improves circulation, sharpens alertness, and reduces inflammation. More importantly, it signaled to my brain: “We're done resting. Time to re-engage.”

The Result? One of My Best Coaching Sessions of the Month

By the time I finished my reset, my energy had skyrocketed.

I jumped into my first coaching session of the day—and it turned out to be one of the most powerful conversations I’ve had this month. I was clear, present, and energized.

I also completed all 3 MITs before the day ended.

Not bad for a day that started in a fog.

The Bigger Lesson: Routines Rewire Your Energy

What saved my day wasn’t willpower. It was a reliable routine.

When we feel off, our instinct is to abandon our routines and default to doom scrolling or distractions. But the truth is, that’s the worst thing you can do.

Instead, anchor your day with simple habits that recharge your mental, emotional, and physical energy.

These are not hacks—they’re foundations. They activate your executive function, shift your physiology, and reignite momentum.

Try This When You’re Running on Empty

Next time you wake up feeling like you’ve hit a wall, don’t reach for your to-do list—or your phone.

Instead, try this reset formula:

1. 20–30 minutes of stillness (prayer, meditation, or journaling)

2. Identify your top 3 priorities

3. Move your body for 30–45 minutes

4. Take a cold or contrast shower

Then see how you feel.

You might just surprise yourself.

High performance isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about knowing when to pause, reset, and rebuild momentum.

Stay energized.