“Habits to be more productive and happy”—quite a title, right? Thousands of articles like this flood the web today. This is a clear sign of how important both productivity and happiness are in people’s lives, hardly distinguishing between personal and professional spheres.

It would be too presumptuous to claim we can teach people how to be happier, since happiness usually arrives when something we perceive as good happens around us and positively influences us. There are countless examples: getting a raise, earning more money, or finding a partner we like. These things usually come and go; that’s life.

We borrow James Altucher’s explanation to understand this better:

“What happens if your crush doesn’t like you? Do you get sad? I know, you get sad. We live in a tiny corner of the galaxy and have the audacity to get sad if someone snubs us. Yes, it happened to me. And I had the courage to be sad. She didn’t kiss me. She said, ‘I have to go to the restroom for a moment,’ and never came back.”

But we cannot leave our happiness to chance. Sometimes it is inevitable, but we should aspire for that force to arise from within ourselves. According to Altucher, with it, we are capable of anything we set out to do. That doesn’t mean walking on Mars or owning ten private jets—it’s about doing what we truly want and need, and having the freedom to achieve our goals.

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The Key Is Productivity

Doing things well in the least amount of time possible—that’s the key. Why? Because it gives us time to do what we want. Maximum productivity doesn’t just benefit our work, giving us satisfaction or fulfillment; it also provides greater freedom of choice and more free time.

Here are some “tricks” to become more productive—and therefore happier (and vice versa):

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Want Less

The fewer things we desire, the more we appreciate what we have. Moderation is a declining value in today’s society, but it is a basic element of happiness and also boosts productivity. It directly counters materialism, which can hinder adaptation to change and confuse our sense of self.

Say No

A common problem that generates personal dissatisfaction is failing to say “no.” If we eliminate this word from our vocabulary, we risk losing respect—not just from others, but from ourselves. Time is a scarce resource, so saying no is essential for effectiveness, ensuring the quality of important projects, and avoiding burnout.

Do a Little of Something You Love

At work, this could be writing or participating in the company blog. Or it could be walking or talking with friends—whatever we love. People usually like making money, but that isn’t necessarily something they love. Doing something we love daily aids personal growth, and the more we practice it, the stronger we become.

Keep and Read a File

Some productivity experts read interesting blogs daily and save particularly good posts for later review. “Yesterday’s articles are today’s secrets,” they say. Revisiting these posts can provide perspective, source material for projects, and professional networking opportunities—especially with a friendly note of recognition: “This was a great post.”

Do What Others Cannot Do

Most people have rules about what they cannot do: you can’t start two businesses at once, make a movie without experience, date someone “out of reach,” call the President for a podcast, or finish a marathon unprepared. Many geniuses try these things simply to test whether people are right—but often because people are wrong.

Exceed Expectations

Giving people what they deserve rather than what they expect is a secret of the most successful companies. It’s common to receive the minimum, so giving a little extra can improve service profitability. It is also highly satisfying personally.

Give What You Can

Give until you have nothing left. Even then, find more to offer in any domain. Even if it’s just to make someone smile.

Sing, Paint, Laugh, Write, and Celebrate

We rarely activate some parts of our brains. At work, we engage the task-oriented side, which is normal. But creativity plays an increasingly important role in work habits. Finding new ways to approach tasks and enjoying the process motivates us and can uncover shortcuts.

Put Things in Perspective

Some things don’t need to be done—whether due to political correctness, religious mandate, or personal preference. While some lines between right and wrong are clear, many issues are flexible. Letting minor, irrelevant issues impact us reduces productivity and happiness.

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Productivity and Efficiency Come from Happiness

Being efficient and highly productive should be daily priorities. One of the biggest threats is unhappiness at work. It affects health, productivity, and generates stress, frustration, and wasted time through distractions, procrastination, and fatigue.

To take control of productivity and increase happiness at work, follow these basic principles:

• Find your passion and dedicate yourself to it. Motivation is hard to maintain in unsatisfying jobs. Aim to find your dream work and set small goals to achieve it.
• Take care of yourself by eating balanced meals, exercising moderately, and sleeping enough.
• Respect schedules for work, leisure, and daily responsibilities. A structured life supports motivation and conserves energy.
• Maintain good relationships with colleagues, family, and friends. It improves mood and workplace atmosphere.
• Don’t just pass through your company—engage actively. Bringing purpose to your work transforms duty into pleasure.