Productivity techniques are helpful as long as they are adopted with the right mindset. It's crucial to approach these techniques with the intention of bringing structure and intentionality to the day, rather than trying to control every aspect. The focus should be on ensuring that the rules followed serve the individual's reality, rather than becoming rigid and self-undermining. For example, in the context of morning routines for a new parent, it's more realistic to aim for completing a few important tasks before starting work, even if the sequence gets interrupted, rather than trying to strictly adhere to a fixed schedule.