Productivity Tip:

Embrace Analog

Worn out from too much screen time? Try embracing the analog renaissance. The surprising thing: it’s not just good for your health, but also your productivity.

“When you step away from screens, your brain activates what neuroscientists call the default mode network – a system involved in memory consolidation and creative insight,” writes Anne-Laure Le Cunff at Ness Labs. “Research shows that this downtime helps you connect ideas, process emotions, and solve problems more effectively.”

How to go analog? Here are some of her suggestions:

• Experiment with pre-digital hobbies like woodworking, pottery, painting or knitting.
• Opt for in-person social interactions and design device-free social rituals.
• Schedule sacred offline windows – e.g., reading before bed or time outdoors.
• Replace some digital tools with physical ones, like using a physical planner over an app or taking notes in a notebook.

So our question for you this week: what’s one thing you could change from digital to analog? Let us know your answer and how making the switch goes for you.

Routine Breakdown

Stephanie Melodia, Entrepreneur, Growth Strategist, MBA Lecturer, Keynote Speaker & Host of Strategy & Tragedy

Inside the Mornings of a Female Founder & Strategist

“As a high-performing entrepreneur with a rare sleep disorder, my morning routines are vital,” says Stephanie Melodia, who adds that the first big sign of success in her routine is waking up without an alarm. Here’s how she starts her days.

The Routine:

• Wakes naturally. “I go outside, move my body, breathe fresh air, and get natural daylight within the first 30 mins of waking. (Extensive sleep research has shown that exposure to natural daylight is the most powerful driver of our sleep-wake cycles – and I need all the help I can get!)”
• Syncs her routine to her cycle. “As a woman, I also need to adjust my morning routine depending on the time of the month. Whilst ovulating, I give myself grace and slow down, including taking easy mornings where I prioritise gentle starts to the day, eating a comforting breakfast, and avoiding caffeine.”
• Hits the gym. “Outside of this, I try to work out in the mornings, as once I get stuck into work there’s no coming back and getting myself to the gym, let’s be honest! Not only does this ensure that I get my workout in for the day, but it also sets me up to be my most alert and pumped self for the day ahead.”
• Works on her key tasks. “I then try to tackle ‘the big fish,’ i.e., the biggest needle-moving priorities before getting bogged down by admin later in the day.”

Why it works:

• Morning sunlight exposure does help regulate circadian rhythms, leading to better sleep.
• Cycle syncing is very individual, but many women find that understanding their cycles and adapting their routines accordingly can help them optimize their health and productivity.
• Working out in the morning has been shown to increase focus, mood, energy, and alertness, as well as help to regulate appetite and blood sugar.
• Tackling the big fish – also known as “eating the frog” – ensures you make progress where it really matters to your goals.

Do you tackle your big fish early in the day? How do you stay focused on your big goals?