30 Day Productivity and Purpose Challenge for Early Retirees

We talk a lot on the channel about purpose and direction in ER. Sometimes without the direction of work it would be too easy to just drift along. As ex-teachers, we cannot break the academic year habit of a new start in September…it’s almost like a new year, fresh start. So join us on this September daily challenge to enhance our early retired life.

This 30-day challenge is packed with mindful practices to boost our productivity, reduce stress, and make room for what really matters—whether that’s family, friends, or a well-deserved nap.

Complete the 30-days or pick what works for you. Here we go…

Day 1: Start With Mindful Breathing

Before jumping into your day (and those endless things to do), take 5 minutes to breathe. Close your eyes, inhale for four seconds, hold for four, and exhale for four. It’s a quick reset for your brain. It'll ease you into your day, no matter how busy it gets.


Day 2: Establish A Morning Routine

Start your day by setting aside time for a routine that centres you. Whether it’s stretching, reading, or a few moments of journaling, having a mindful morning sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Routine takes away the uncertainty of the day and the headspace of having to make decisions early in the day.


Day 3: Identify Your Top 3 Priorities

Today, pick the three tasks that will make the biggest impact on your day. Forget about everything else for now—these three things are your focus. Keeping your list short ensures you don’t get overwhelmed. We all have loads of things that we could do, but only the most important make it onto this list!

Day 4: Declutter Your Living space

Take 10 minutes to clear your living space. You don’t need to do a full overhaul—just clear the clutter around you. A tidy space helps improve focus and reduces the stress of searching for things. Plus, it’ll make you feel like you’re organised (even if you're not!).

Day 5: Set A 30-Minute Focus Sprint

Pick a task that needs your attention and set a timer for 30 minutes. During this time, focus entirely on that one task—no checking emails, no random thoughts about other things that need doing. It’s amazing what you can do in 30 minutes. Action trumps strategy.


Day 6: Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.

It is amazing how good it feels to reconnect with an old friend or catch up with a relative that you haven’t spoken to for a while. We know we would love a random phone call out of the blue- so make that call!

Day 7: Practice Gratitude

Take a moment to write down three things you’re grateful for in your journal. Big or small, gratitude helps shift your focus from stress to appreciation. It sets a positive tone for the day and reminds you of the good stuff in your life. We have so many things to be grateful for, yet so often we focus on the things we do not have.

Day 8: Reflect On Your Week

Spend 10 minutes looking back on your week. What went well? What could you improve? This simple reflection helps us acknowledge progress and identify our areas for growth. Plus, it helps us stay grounded and clear-headed for the upcoming week.


Day 9: Break Down A Big Task Into Small Steps

We know in retirement we have more time to do as we please but sometimes we still have some huge tasks that need to be done. How do you eat an elephant? Small bites and you need to get started with the first bite! Have you got a massive task on your plate? Break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Smaller steps make big tasks feel more achievable and reduce being overwhelmed.


Day 10: Take A Wellbeing Break

Take a 30-minute break today, but make it about you. Step away from all the things that need to be done and do something that brings you joy—call a friend, enjoy a treat, or read a few pages of a book. These small moments recharge your brain and help you to be ready to tackle the next set of tasks.

Day 11: Take A 10-Minute Walk Outside

Step away from your work and take a 10-minute walk outside. No phone, no distractions—just you and the natural world around you. Take in your surroundings and focus on the present. Walking boosts our energy, refreshes our mind, and helps us reset for the rest of your day.

Day 12: Do a random act of kindness.

It’s good for you and it’s good for the recipient

Day 13: Clear Your Mind

Take a moment to write down any thoughts, worries, or tasks that are cluttering your mind. Flip to the back of your journal and get them all out and onto paper. It'll help clear your mental space and lift anything weighing you down so you can focus on what matters.


Day 14: Re-Evaluate Your Goals

Take a moment today to check in on your goals. Are you on track? Do your tasks align with your long-term objectives? If something’s lagging behind, make adjustments. Regularly reassessing helps you stay focused on your early retirement goals.

Day 15: 1-Hour Digital Detox

Maybe it’s because our lives on YouTube mean that we are constantly on our computers so this is more pertinent for us, but take at least one hour today to disconnect from all screens. No emails, no social media, no mindless scrolling. Use this time to reset, recharge, and enjoy some screen-free time. Your brain will thank you for the rest.

Day 16: Commit To A “No Distraction” Evening

Tonight, commit to a distraction-free evening. No emails, no thoughts about your to-do list—just relax and enjoy your evening. You deserve it. Downtime is essential for keeping our productivity sustainable. We need to be able to rest so that we can go again tomorrow on the things that are really important to us.

Day 17: Review Your Calendar

Take some time to review your calendar. Look for any appointments or commitments that are unnecessary. Cancel or reschedule them. Then, ensure that there’s space for the things that bring you joy—whether it’s time with your family, friends, or the hobbies you love.


Day 18: Listen, Actively

Today, when you have a conversation with anyone- give them your full attention. No phone-checking, no distractions. Active listening helps you stay present in the moment and is a simple way to practice mindfulness. It also shows respect for the person that you are talking to.

Day 19: Do One Thing With Your Full Attention

Choose one task today and give it your full attention—no distractions. Whether it’s cleaning your kitchen or planning a trip, focusing entirely on the one thing enhances your results and helps you stay in the moment.


Day 20: Set A “Do Not Disturb” Block

Create a “do not disturb” time block where you can focus completely on one task for the day. Inform others that you’re in focus mode and make this time sacred. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when interruptions are not an issue.

Day 21: Practice Mindful Eating

Today, practice mindful eating. Focus on the taste, texture, and smell of your food. Take your time, eat slowly, and savour each bite. Mindful eating helps you stay present and enjoy your meals without rushing through them.
Even in our early retirement we find ourselves eating on the go because we are so busy!

Day 22: Reflect On Your Progress

Take 10 minutes today to reflect on how you are getting on so far with the challenge. What’s working? What’s not? It’s OK that some things will not work for you. This reflection gives you a chance to appreciate your progress and adjust anything that isn’t working for you.  It'll help to keep you motivated and on track.

Day 23: Plan Tomorrow, Tonight

Before you go to bed, grab your journal and spend 10 minutes planning the next day. Write down what you would like to do or achieve and feel the relief of knowing exactly what you’ll tackle first thing in the morning. It sets you up for success and reduces stress for a good nights sleep.


Day 24: Celebrate Your Wins

We often focus on our things to do rather than celebrating the things we have done. Celebrate your small victories today. In your journal jot down three things you accomplished, big or small. Recognising your achievements, no matter how minor, will boost your confidence and keep you motivated.

Day 25: Try A New Focus Technique

Experiment with a new focus technique today. It could be listening to instrumental music, the time of day, or changing your environment. See what helps you focus best. If we only do what we have done before, we will only get the results we have got before!

Day 26: Re-Evaluate Your Tasks- Think about a “things not to do” list

Look at your to-do list, we all have them, even in our retirement. Are there tasks you can delegate, delay, or simply remove? Streamlining your list helps you focus on what’s truly important and gives you more space to breathe. Saying no to things leaves more time to do the things that are really important to us.

Day 27: Set A Personal Intention For The Week

Take a few minutes to write down one intention for the upcoming week, whether it's improving focus, being more mindful, or embracing more self-care. Setting an intention brings focus and clarity to your actions.


Day 28: Break Free From Perfectionism

Try to stop stressing over every little detail. Today, commit to finishing a task without trying to make it perfect. Done is better than perfect, and you’ll feel a lot better when you can check something off your list.
Jackie is very good at this!

Day 29: Do Nothing

Because sometimes, you just need to.


Day 30: Reflect On Your Mindset Shift

How has your mindset shifted over the past month? Are you feeling more productive, positive, less stressed, or more focused? Take a moment to reflect on the progress you’ve made and the habits you’ve built.

The goal isn’t to get you to do more, but to be smarter in how you use your time —giving you the balance and space to focus on what truly matters. Identify what you want to carry forward and what you can leave behind.

Hope you all enjoy aspects of the challenge and have a great September

Jackie and Richard