Stacy Baxley

Productivity Tip:
 

Take Meal Planning Off Your Plate

Sick of staring into the fridge at 6pm wondering what to cook tonight? Try using AI as a meal-planning super assistant. đŸČ

AI tools like ChatGPT or Perplexity can learn things like:

  • Your family’s favorite meals
  • Dietary goals and nutrition preferences
  • How much time you realistically have on weeknights
  • What ingredients you already buy
  • Prep tasks you can batch ahead on Sundays


The result? Fewer last-minute decisions, less stress at dinnertime, and more mental energy for everything else! Have you tried using AI for recipe suggestions and meal planning?

Routine Breakdown
 

Stacy Baxley, Personal Growth Coach

The 5-Minute Super Routine of a Personal Growth Coach

Stacy Baxley

“As a full-time high school career development coordinator and personal growth coach, I don’t have the luxury of long, ideal morning routines,” says Stacy Baxley. “My days are full and often unpredictable, which is exactly why I needed something simple and sustainable. After years of trying to follow routines that looked good on paper but didn’t fit my real life, I realized the issue wasn’t discipline: it was misalignment.”

Stacy created a 5-minute daily intentions practice that she now teaches to clients because it’s simple, repeatable, and built for real life—not perfect conditions.

The Routine:

  • Decides who she’s becoming today (identity focus). “Each morning, I choose a word or identity—like calm, focused, or intentional—that represents how I want to show up that day. This becomes my anchor for every decision I make. I know that my actions follow my identity—so it’s important to me to choose who I’m going to be before I decide what I’m going to do.”
  • Identifies her top 3 priorities. “Instead of overwhelming myself with a long list, I identify three ‘most valuable priorities’—the actions that will create the biggest impact. Over time, this has helped me realize that overwhelm wasn’t the problem, clarity was.”
  • Chooses one thought that supports her (affirmation). I write one simple, supportive thought that aligns with how I want to show up. This helps interrupt negative thinking patterns before they take over. It also reinforces the idea that ultimately, my actions are a result of my thoughts.
  • Reconnects throughout the day. “I revisit my notecard briefly—usually between tasks or on a short walk—to realign my actions with my intentions. This isn’t a one-and-done routine; it’s a tool I return to so I can lead my day instead of reacting to it.”

 

Why it works:

  • “This routine works because it shifts the focus from doing more to becoming more. It removes decision fatigue, creates clarity, and builds consistency through small, intentional actions,” explains Stacy. We agree, and that’s why focus, priorities, and affirmation are all part of the daily section of Panda Planner: they’re all powerful ways to keep your day on track.


Stacy adds that she may not complete everything perfectly, but she always follows through on who she decided to be. “And that’s what builds real momentum over time,” she says. “5 minutes may not seem like much, but these 5 focused minutes allow me to prioritize what’s important to me before prioritizing what is important to others.”

Rebecca Hopwood

Wellness Tip:
 

Don’t Overlook Your Indoor Air

Americans spend around 90% of their time indoors, and according to the EPA, indoor air can sometimes contain pollutant levels 2–5 times higher than outdoor air! đŸ˜·

Here are some things you can do:

  • Open the windows for 10–15 minutes a day to let stale air out
  • Run an air purifier in bedrooms or the rooms you spend the most time in
  • Keep on top of dust, especially in rugs, couches, curtains, and bedding
  • Go easy on heavily fragranced sprays, candles, and cleaning products
  • Use extractor fans or open a window while cooking or showering 


And if you’ve heard that houseplants are miracle air purifiers
 the research doesn’t quite back that up in real-world homes. Sorry. But hey, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fill your space with greenery! Plants do boost mood and make the room feel calmer and more inviting. đŸȘŽđŸ„°

Here’s a handy checklist for improving air quality indoors, and more info on ventilation from the EPA.

Routine Breakdown
 

Rebecca Hopwood, Founder and Director of Youbee Media and The Hive Academy & Mother

Why This Founder Starts Her Day With Coffee + Candy Crush

Rebecca Hopwood

“My routine is simple and realistic, and it’s evolved around creating mental space before work takes over,” says Rebecca Hopwood, an entrepreneur juggling business and motherhood.

The Routine:

  • Early dog walk (20–30 minutes, no phone). “Up before anyone else, this is fresh air and my time to get some steps in. It forces me to breathe, move, and wake up properly before the noise of the day begins.”
  • Strong coffee and Candy Crush. “Ok, bear with me on this, as I know it sounds odd, but playing a bit of Candy Crush genuinely helps me switch off. My work is digital and social-heavy, so this is stress-free swiping with no comparison, no emails and no demands.”
  • Get ready for the day with a list. “I scan emails first to see what’s come in overnight, then I write my list from there. Anything urgent gets flagged, ongoing tasks get carried forward, and I know exactly what needs my attention before the day takes off.”
  • Evening boundary: switching roles, not just locations. “I close my laptop at 5pm and drive home with music to reset. This time in the car is the line between work and being present as a mum and wife. Limiting social plans and protecting evenings gives me space for Pilates or swimming without feeling like I’m stealing time from my family.”

Why it works:

  • Morning light exposure and light movement help regulate your circadian rhythm and improve alertness.
  • Writing tasks down helps “offload” them from your brain, reducing the mental distraction caused by unfinished tasks and improving focus. 
  • Simple games like Candy Crush may actually provide a quick mental reset. One study found that casual video games may help reduce stress and improve mood after demanding tasks.
  • Research on “psychological detachment” shows that mentally switching off from work is linked to lower burnout and better wellbeing. Small transition rituals help create a clearer boundary between work mode and home life.


Rebecca calls her end-of-day reset a “non-negotiable habit”. Do you have a ritual for switching out of work mode?

Molly Sims

Productivity Tip:
 

Dress for Productivity

This week’s productivity tip comes from Molly Sims (below), who says she likes to “dress for New York” even while living in LA because it makes her feel more productive. 

Can your outfit really help you get stuff done? đŸ€”

Quite possibly! Psychologists even have a term for it: “enclothed cognition.” It’s the idea that what we wear may influence how we think and perform. The research isn’t 100% definitive, but several studies suggest clothing can subtly influence our confidence, focus, and mindset.

You’ve probably experienced this before. So, regardless of the science, the best way to know if the effect is real is to experiment with it yourself. Which clothes make you feel bolder, calmer, more creative, or more capable?

Routine Breakdown
 

 Molly Sims, Model, Actress, Mom & Beauty Brand Founder

The Routine of a Supermodel-Supermom

Molly Sims

Molly Sims, supermodel/supermom and founder of beauty brand YSE, says she usually wakes up at 6:15 am – about 45 minutes before her three kids do. Once everyone is up, it’s straight into mediating their sibling bickering and getting them ready for school. Then she:

The Routine:

  • Checks her calendar. “I panic-check my calendar to make sure I am not forgetting anything.”
  • Moves. She switches between pilates with Erika Rae from Forma Pilates and cardio workouts.
  • Has coffee and breakfast. She loves egg white muffins or a Vanilla Protein Blueberry Smoothie.
  • Gets dressed for the office. “When I’m not being lazy, I love to dress up for work. I love to ‘dress for New York’ even though I live in LA. Helps me feel more productive.”
  • Powers through all her meetings, then tries to pick up the kids from school at 3pm to take them to their sports practices. 
  • Family time. They “try to eat something for dinner in between all the chaos” and binge-watch a cooking show together.

 

Why it works:


Do you try to incorporate some family time into your routine daily?

Oscar Trelles

Productivity Tip:
 

Understand Busyness vs. Productivity

“A full calendar is not proof of a full life,” says neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff. “It might just be proof that you never stopped long enough to ask what you’re filling it with.” 

What she’s referring to is the busyness trap – staying constantly active without making real progress. “You can spend hours answering emails, jumping between tasks, and putting out fires, and over time you lose space for reflection and creative thinking,” says Anne-Laure.

What to do? 

  • Track how you spend your time
  • Identify and cut low-value activities for a week
  • Reflect on your progress
  • Get comfortable with stillness (literally sit and do nothing for 10 mins a day – just reflect).


Read more here and see if you can replace the busy work with more of what matters.

Routine Breakdown
 

Oscar Trelles, Founder of Breathing Flame, Creator of the Reverse Aging Challenge

How a Burnout Survivor Rebuilt His Day for Sustainable Energy

Oscar Trelles

“This routine grew out of burnout and a long process of rebuilding my health,” says Oscar Trelles. “After years in high-pressure work environments, I learned that consistency matters more than intensity, and that balance beats perfection every time.” Oscar says the routine is meant to create rhythm, not pressure. 

The Routine:

  • Wakes around 7:30 am and drinks a large glass of water. “I do not use an alarm. Waking naturally helps me start the day without an artificial stress signal.”
  • Breathwork practice. “On workout days, I do four rounds of Wim Hof Method breathing. On other days I test or develop other breathwork protocols. This is how I regulate my nervous system before engaging with the world.”
  • Meditates. “This helps me transition from internal regulation to outward attention. It is less about clearing the mind and more about grounding.”
  • Coffee as a start-of-day signal. “Around 9, I make a pour-over coffee. I treat it as a deliberate ritual, not just a caffeine fix. It marks the beginning of my workday.”
  • Low-pressure digital scan. “From 9 to 10, I scan email, calendar, and messages. I do not book meetings before then. This protects my mornings from urgency.”
  • Training. “On workout days I train at noon, followed by sauna and steam. Strength work plus heat has been one of the most reliable ways for me to manage stress.” He also walks as much as his schedule allows every day.
  • Time-restricted eating. “I have my first meal at around 3 pm and my last before 9 pm.”
  • Device-free wind down. “By 11 pm, I start powering down. No devices enter my bedroom. Separating work, rest, and sleep environments has been critical for recovery.”

 

Why it works:

  • Breathwork is calming, and there’s some science to support the Wim Hof Method. One systematic review found that it “may reduce inflammation in healthy and non-healthy participants.” 
  • Regular meditators may enjoy benefits like better sleep, improved memory, and lower blood pressure, to name just a few. 
  • Rituals create entry points into deep work. Research shows small rituals can help you get into the flow state—even a simple coffee ritual!
  • Saunas after workouts have been shown to improve circulation and aid in recovery.
  • Oscar says time-restricted eating “supports digestion, sleep, and mental clarity.” Research agrees it has benefits, though it’s important to check if it’s right for you.


A crucial point Oscar makes about his routine is that it continues to evolve, but the principles stay the same: regulate his nervous system before engaging with work, move regularly without exhausting himself, and protect recovery as carefully as productivity. “Those choices have made the routine sustainable over time, which has mattered far more than discipline or intensity ever did.”

Chris Wilson

Wellness Tip:
 

Start With Intentions, Not Tasks

Here’s a simple way to take control of your day: set a few clear intentions each morning. That way, instead of reacting to everything that comes at you, you’ve already decided what matters most.

There’s some science to this. Research shows that setting clear intentions helps translate goals into action by activating them in your mind and making it easier to stay focused on what matters.

A system like Panda Planner can help turn intention-setting into habit. In the daily section, your Focus is essentially your main intention for the day, and your Priorities turn that into action.

Have you tried setting a daily focus or intention?

Routine Breakdown
 

 Chris Wilson, Founder & Director of Chris Wilson Fitness Studio

A Fitness Founder’s Approach to Leading From the Front

Chris-Wilson

The owner of “Australia’s most exclusive fitness studio” says his routine is built around consistency, energy management, and leading from the front. “As a business owner, coach, and father of three, I don’t have the luxury of long, flexible mornings – so my routine is simple, structured, and repeatable.”

The Routine:

  • Early wake up (4-4:30am). “I wake early to create space before the noise. No phone, no emails – just a few quiet moments to get ahead mentally.” Chris usually starts by having breakfast in peace, followed by reading 5-10 pages of a book, then setting his 3 intentions for the day.
  • Team connection and setting the standard. Chris aims to be in the studio early to invest some time in his team, connect with members, and check the small details like music, cleanliness, and energy. “These touchpoints define the experience and culture of our brand.”
  • Focused work blocks. “Midday is reserved for deep work: strategy, growth, and leadership. This is where I focus on building the business, not just operating in it.”
  • Movement, whether that’s strength training, a mobility routine, or a HYROX-style session. “I don’t negotiate with training – it’s part of who I am, not something I try to fit in. It gets me away from my work and gives me a chance to focus on myself and my health.”
  • Wind-down. “Consistency at night sets up consistency in the morning.” He keeps evenings simple, with family time, light dinner, and switching off where possible. “I aim to reduce screen time and get to bed early. Recovery is just as important as performance.”

 

Why it works:

  • As Chris says, a quiet morning sets the tone for a calm, controlled day rather than a reactive one. Plus, setting intentions aligns your daily actions with your bigger goals.
  • Chris leads by example. As he puts it, “Standards aren’t spoken – they’re seen and felt.”
  • Working in focused blocks helps your brain avoid constant switching and actually get into a deep, productive groove where you learn and get more done.
  • Chris sees being fit not just as a goal, but as part of his identity. This makes the habit more automatic and easier to stick to.
  • Adequate rest is crucial for both physical and mental health.


For Chris, balancing business with fitness is all about walking the walk. “Training sharpens my mindset, boosts energy and reinforces the standards I set. As a leader in fitness, I believe you have to live it.”

Becky May

Productivity Tip:
 

Use Visible Progress Cues

Ah, that feeling of adding a big checkmark to a “done” box. ✅We hardly need to tell you how satisfying it is! 

Research shows that visualizing progress increases motivation and effort. We’re more likely to keep going when we can clearly see how far we’ve come—and the closer we get to our goal, the harder we push (a phenomenon known as the Goal-Gradient Effect).

Here are some things you can try:

  • Tick things off on a physical checklist.
  • Move tasks across columns (To Do → In Progress → Done). Kanban tools are great for this!
  • Use a calendar like this scratch-off habit tracker.
  • Use a simple progress bar to track % done. Use a spreadsheet or even just draw a progress bar and fill it in.
  • Break big tasks into mini-steps so you’re checking things off more frequently.
  • Use color coding (red → yellow → green) to show progress stages.


How do you make progress visible? Let us know what works for you!

Routine Breakdown
 

Becky May, Dietitian & Owner of The Vitality Protocol

How a Dietitian, Business Owner & Mom Starts Her Day

Becky May

Becky May definitely keeps herself busy. On top of running a business, she juggles a full-time job and motherhood—she even manages her son’s football team! Here’s how her routine keeps her energized.

The Routine:

  • Works out every morning, alternating between weights and cardio, with one day reserved for active rest (like a walk or low-intensity stretching).”I choose to move my body early in the morning before anything can distract me or get in my way.”
  • Minimum 5 mins mediation. “I can feel a difference in my mind when I miss this part of my morning routine.”
  • Takes a shower, finishing with 30 seconds of cold water. “This makes me feel so energized and ready to take on the day. I even do this throughout winter.”
  • Coffee in the sunlight. “Taking a moment to slow down and sit with both the sunshine and my coffee sets my mind for the day.”

 

Why it works:

  • Workouts, as we all know, are good for us (body and mind!). So is incorporating active recovery into your routine, which research suggests may actually be more effective than total rest.
  • Meditation has a bunch of benefits. And yes, 5 minutes is enough to get rewards. 🙌
  • Cold showers might not sound inviting, but they may help boost metabolism, improve circulation, and generally get you alert and moving!
  • Morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms, while small rituals (mmm, coffee) can reduce stress and anxiety. 


“I have so much on my plate that my mornings need to be non-negotiable and set me up for the day,” says Becky. “Otherwise, I don’t know if I would have the mindset or energy I need to accomplish all the things I have to do throughout the day.”