Productivity isn't a personality trait. It's a system that should fit you, not break you.

So if you follow us on Instagram, you would know that we have recently launched a free course called Introduction to Online Business.
 
Check it out here if you haven’t. 
 
Now that this one is launched we are working on 3 more. Yahoo. 
 
I want to tell you a secret. I’m not always a super hard worker.
 
Omg shock horror, the business owner tells you they don’t hustle. 
 
When we started Boring Studios 2 years ago, hustle and boss babe culture was rife.
 
I actually think it was part of the pull to start a business. 
 
But anyway, we started our business with a crazy 5am, billionaires routine. 
 
If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve probably heard this routine a few times now. 
 
So we would get up everyday at 5am, gym, sauna, breakfast, shower, work from 8-12, lunch, work from 1-8, dinner, read and bed. No tv. No seeing anyone. 
 
Nothing. Eat. Sleep. Exercise. Work. Repeat. 
 
This routine was excruciating to begin with but eventually I looked forward to the little things in life like reading or the sauna. 
 
We did this for about a year and then travelled full time for a year doing work on and off. 
 
Would we have come this far without the routine? Who knows.
 
Now, with our new home, settling into Bangkok, we needed a new routine. 
 
The idea of that hustle routine again was just not on the cards.
 
It wasn’t sustainable forever and I don’t recommend it for long periods of time. 
 
I do recommend it for a short period of time to really get your business off the ground.
 
Or for when you’ve got a big project like writing a novel or painting an exhibition. Go dark mode. 
 
But right now in my life, I’m definitely more about working smarter and not harder. 
 
So alongside my trait of not wanting to work hard forever, I also get distracted with mind-wandering thoughts often. 
 
So even if I wanted to work from 8am-8pm again, I doubt I’d get much done because I’d be scrolling, looking up random things on the internet, meal prepping, ordering groceries, booking dentist appointments, drawing or just pretending to be productive which in hindsight, is useless. 
 
The only person I’d be lying to is myself because Eden can see through my bullshit 😂
 
So what’s the solution?
 
I figured out a new routine that gives me time for life admin, personal goals and of course Boring Studios. 
 
My new routine is to wake up around 7 Monday - Thursday, play chess and drink lemon water with Eden. Coffee, get ready for the day then work from 9-4 with a lunch break, then whatever the frick I want. 
 
Why? Because forcing myself not to watch TV is not making me more successful. 
 
Some nights I want to read and some nights I want to watch Netflix - that’s fine. 
 
Some afternoons I want to go to the gym and other afternoons I want to do a handstand class. 
 
I still have routine and plan what I want to do even for the extras (like classes, movies etc) but I’m giving myself variety, choices and a mix of everything you need in life. 
 
I think people call it balance? Did we forget about it? 
 
I don’t force myself to get up at 5am because you know what? 
It’s not necessarily giving me more hours in the day or making me more productive.  
 
In fact, I think it would make me miserable. 
 
I don’t have kids that need to be taken to school. I don’t have to go to the gym before I sit down to work. And I don’t even have to start work at 8 or 9am if I need more sleep. 
 
And you know what the results have been after just 3 weeks of my new routine?
 
Fkn productive. I’m focused. I’m ready and I’m thriving. 
 
I have structure but there’s space for everything I want and need to do. 
 
Work time is work time and I give myself just enough tasks to perfectly fill my day without overwhelming me or becoming bored.
 
I focus because I know Fridays are for dates with Eden.
 
Saturdays are for personal goals and whatever I want.
 
Sunday’s are for household cleaning, planning and meal prep. 
 
Everything is organised and everything has its time. 
 
It’s my routine and it works so well for me. 
 
The myth of this 5am routine making you successful is bs. 
 
It’s become such a symbol for success but it's all fake. 
 
How about we work smarter, not harder? Because this routine doesn’t work for everyone. 
 
And even if it works for a while, it might not be sustainable for you.
 
The sun isn’t even up at 5am. It’s bad for your circadian rhythm. 
 
Your energy peaks differently in each person and obviously gender plays a huge part in this too. 
 
But realistically, at the end of the day, some people are night owls. Some are early birds.
 
Neither is more “disciplined.”
 
Trying to override your natural rhythm might be doing more harm than good.
 
What Actually Makes a Routine ‘Successful’? 
- Choosing consistency over intensity.  
- Aligning your schedule with your energy levels, lifestyle, and commitments.
- Having a planner (or two). 
- Making time for rest, play, and creative downtime - not just output like work or gym. 

I have created two separate daily planners - one for personal and one for work. It keeps my mind focused on the task at hand.
 
I also time block my days the afternoon before so even if I’m in a bad or tired mood, I know exactly what my tasks are and it makes it so much easier to follow. 
 
So whether it’s writing Boring Issues or ordering groceries, my mind sticks to that task and the day I have dedicated to either work, personal or life admin. 
 
Some varying routine examples: 
- A freelance creative who works best from 1pm–9pm.
- A parent who builds their routine around their kids' schedule.
- Someone who has non-negotiables like midday workouts or evening walks.
- Make it sustainable and enjoyable, and in turn it will be productive.
 
Use trial and error until you find one that works. 
 
How to Build a Routine That Works for You?

- Track when you feel most focused, creative, social, tired.
- Trial different rhythms (e.g: deep work in the morning, admin in the afternoon).
- Remove guilt around sleeping in, taking breaks, or working at “weird” hours. 
- Build a routine that works around your unique goals, needs, wants and heck even your mood. 
 
Let your routine work for you. 
 
Because hustling is out. Balance is in. 
 
Work smarter, not harder my friend. 
 
XX
Love from a new, and more productive Penelope