Boost Your Productivity and Wellbeing With a Simple Start-Up and Shut-Down Routine

Martine Ellis
3 min readJul 20, 2024

Establishing a simple start-up and shut-down routine is one of the most straightforward and least time-consuming habits you can adopt to boost your productivity and wellbeing. These high-impact routines signal the start and end of your workday, providing a structured framework for checking in with your wellbeing and professional commitments.

Why Start-Up and Shut-Down Routines are Beneficial

Start-up and shut-down routines are high-impact, wellbeing-driven productivity strategies requiring minimal time (less than 30 minutes daily). They help establish boundaries between work and personal time, preventing the lines from blurring. These routines set a positive tone for the day and provide a sense of closure at the end. They also serve as daily reminders of your priorities, keep you organised, and encourage a proactive approach to your tasks.

Planning Your Start-Up and Shut-Down Routines

Start With Your Working Week

You can use a start-up and shut-down routine every day of the week, but I recommend focusing on your working days. You might prefer to keep your days off more fluid for relaxation.

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Martine Ellis

I write, speak, and teach about wellbeing-driven productivity to help you succeed on your terms • Writer • Trainer • Consultant •