Do you ever feel like you’re being pulled in a million different directions?
Imagine this: you’ve got a big presentation coming up at work, and you have tons of things on your to-do list.
On top of that, your family is all like, “Hey, let’s go out for dinner tonight!” Talk about adding more logs to the blazing fire.
Yes, we’ve all been there.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder how on earth you’re going to get it all done.
But with some productivity hacks, things can take a turn for the better.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Easier said than done!” And you’re absolutely right.
Productivity is something we all struggle with from time to time.
That’s why I’ve scoured the depths of the internet to round up the best productivity hacks that will truly make a difference in your life.
Let’s do this!
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1. Plan Your Day Ahead of Time
Planning your day ahead of time is a simple yet effective productivity hack that can drive impressive results. Just take a few minutes at the end of each day to map out your tasks and priorities for the next day.
This way, when you wake up, you already have a game plan in place.
This technique allows you to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done and how you can allocate your time effectively.
But remember, find a method that works for you, whether it’s using pen and paper or one of the many productivity apps available.
Tools to plan your day: Todoist, Google Calendar
2. The “Eat the Frog” Technique
Now, don’t worry, you won’t actually be eating any frogs.
Here’s how it works: tackle your most challenging or important task first thing in the morning.
Picture your tasks as a plate full of frogs, and start by devouring the biggest, most daunting one. This sets the tone for the rest of your day, allowing you to conquer the toughest task when you have the most energy and focus.
This technique gets its name from a famous quote by Mark Twain.
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
To help you implement this strategy, consider using any task management app or simply create a to-do list.
Tools to manage your tasks: Todoist, Microsoft To-Do, Google Tasks
3. The “Two-Minute Rule”
There are two popular two-minute rules that you might have heard of.
But don’t get confused, they’re actually quite different.
Let me break it down for you.
The first rule comes from David Allen’s book “Getting Things Done.” It’s simple – if a task takes two minutes or less, don’t put it off, just do it right away.
No need to jot it down on a to-do list or let it slip your mind.
Now, the second rule is from James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits.” When you find yourself procrastinating on something you don’t want to do, break it down into a two-minute task or less.
Starting small makes it way easier to build a habit.
4. The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique, it’s a time management method that helps you help you get started and manage your time more efficiently.
The Pomodoro Technique was actually developed back in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo. He came up with it because, as a university student, he was having a hard time staying focused on his studies.
So he used a kitchen timer that looked like a tomato (which they call “Pomodoro” in Italian) and set it for just 2 minutes. He challenged himself to stay focused for that short amount of time, and guess what? It worked!
He gradually increased the time intervals and found that 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break was ideal.
Basically, you break your work tasks into these 25-minute intervals called pomodoros, and in between each one, you take a quick break.
So here’s how it goes:
First, pick your task, something you need to get done. Then, set a timer for 25 minutes and get to work. When that timer goes off, take a nice 5-minute break to recharge.
And then, just keep repeating this pattern.
The great thing about the Pomodoro Technique is that it helps you tackle overwhelming tasks by breaking them down into smaller chunks.
But here’s the thing, it can be a bit stressful if a task takes longer than your 25-minute interval. And if you finish a task before the interval is up, you might find yourself wondering what to do next.
However, you have the freedom to customize the intervals to fit your needs and see if it works for you.
5. The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a really helpful tool for managing your time and getting things done. It’s all about prioritizing your tasks based on how urgent and important they are.
You can split your tasks into four categories: ones you’ll tackle right away, ones you’ll schedule for later, ones you can give to someone else, and ones you can just forget about completely.
This method was actually named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. He once quoted an unnamed university president, saying “I have two kinds of problems, the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.”
This method was made popular by Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He took Eisenhower’s ideas and turned them into a simple and practical tool for prioritizing tasks
Today, it’s known as the Eisenhower Matrix, or you may have heard of it as The Time Management Matrix, The Eisenhower Box, The Eisenhower Method, or The Urgent-Important Matrix.
So, if you want to use the Eisenhower Matrix, you can go old school with pen and paper, or use apps that are specifically designed for this purpose.
Tools to try: you can use Todoist and either use labels or priority levels. Another option is Asana, which has an Eisenhower Matrix template and makes time management easy.
6. Delegate
If you find yourself overwhelmed with tasks, here’s a technique you can try: delegate your tasks to others.
It’s a great way to maximize your productivity and focus on high-value activities.
For example, let’s say you’re a small business owner. Instead of handling all your social media marketing yourself, you can delegate it to someone who has the skills, capacity, and interest in that area.
By doing so, you can free up your time to focus on other important aspects of your business.
So, how do you delegate effectively?
Make sure to choose someone who has the necessary skills and experience to complete the task effectively. It’s important to ensure that they have a clear understanding of the task and the desired outcome.
If you’re a manager, consider recognizing employees who already enjoy doing the task at hand. This way, you can ensure that the responsibility doesn’t fall on someone who isn’t eager to complete it.
Platforms to find talented individuals: Fiverr, Upwork, Toptal
7. Automation
Automation is a total game-changer when it comes to boosting productivity and saving precious time at work.
So, where do you start?
Well, first things first, take a moment to identify those tasks that can be automated. You know the ones – the repetitive, mundane ones that seem to eat up a big chunk of your day.
Think data entry, email management, social media posting, task and project management, invoicing and financial management, bill payments, screening potential employees, and scheduling meetings.
The good news is, there are some fantastic automation tools out there to help you out. Give them a try and see how they can streamline your workflow.
Automation tools to try: Zapier, IFTTT, Bardeen
8. Go for a Walk
Taking short breaks for physical activity, like going for a walk, can do wonders for your creativity, stress levels, and overall productivity.
Research shows that these breaks help you maintain focus and concentration better over time.
Plus, walking has been found to enhance creative thinking.
According to a study from Stanford University, people’s creative output increased by an average of 60 percent while walking.
So, instead of just sitting at your desk all day, why not take a stroll outside?
Sometimes when you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed with work, a simple stroll outside can do wonders. Just step out of the office, breathe in some fresh air, and let your mind wander for a while.
Final Words
So there you have it – 8 productivity hacks of all time!
Now it’s time to put them into action and see what works best for you.
If you’re hungry for more, make sure to check out our collection of articles on productivity.
Stay motivated, stay focused, and keep pushing yourself to new heights.
You’ve got this!
