Hello there, you gorgeous people! I love being productive, but sometimes, I end up binge-watching cat videos instead. To be fair, it happens to the best of us. So, armed with my ride and die – a caffeinated drink – I’ve gathered this list of ten productivity tools.
1. Embrace the power of prioritization
Let’s face it: not all tasks are created equal. Identify your most important tasks and tackle them first. Slay the biggest, baddest, most dangerous dragon first. It’s scary, but worth it. This will help you focus on one thing instead of multitasking, which can decrease productivity. It pains my heart to write this because I love multitasking.
2. Embrace the art of time blocking
Schedule specific blocks of time for different tasks throughout your day. For example, from 8-9 a.m., you reply to emails. From 9-10a.m., you eat a healthy brunch. From 10-11a.m., you watch dog videos etc. At some point, you’re bound to get something done. Right?
3. SMART Goals
Ensure your goals are created the SMART way. I’ve talked about them before, because I love them. SMART goals are the MVPs of productivity.
SMART goals stand for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
These well-defined goals help you stay focused and motivated to achieve them. Instead of saying, ”I need to finish this report.” Say, ”I need to finish the first draft of this report by the end of the day tomorrow.”
See the difference? It’s time to smarten up those goals of yours.
Blog: How to accomplish your goals the SMART way!
4. Tame the beast known as Distractions
Ah, the good old distractions – the arch nemesis of productivity. It’s also my worst enemy, you know, besides crippling anxiety. Distractions come in many shapes and forms; it can be countless hours of scrolling, noisy coworkers, kids etc.
Take necessary active steps to slay your enemies. You could, for example, put your phone in a box that has a timer on it, use noise-canceling headphones, sell your kids on Facebook Marketplace…I’M KIDDING. That last part was a joke. I’m not liable for any action or criminal offense you may decide to commit.
5. Take regular breaks without guilt
Even villains need a break from time to time. I’ll often take a ten-minute break from my computer to get some steps in and do some stretches. Honestly, I mostly turn up the music and shake some booty. But each to their own. Taking a break can help prevent burnout and actually help maintain productivity levels in your evil empire, and I’m here for that.
6. Use productivity tools
I personally use my weekly calendar. I love writing everything down on paper. I know I’m so old school for that, but it gives me a sick pleasure to cross off things on my to-do list using pen and paper. There are plenty of apps on the market crafted to remove distractions if you’re on your computer, such as Freedom, RescueTime, SelfControl etc.
7. Embrace the magic of delegation
This one is a hard one for me, but I blame the fact that I’m a September Virgo woman. But the saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. I currently don’t know because I can’t afford to hire anyone. Joke aside, if you are a family, remember you are a family. Not everything is or should be on you. If you can, do share the workload. If you’re self-employed and have the money, consider outsourcing some of the work. You could, for example, hire someone to do your social media.
8. Optimize your workspace
Create a clutter-free and organized workspace. Get an ergonomic desk and chair. Personalize your workplace to inspire creativity and motivation. I have a couple of notes taped to my computer. One specifically is a quote from Jim Rohn, who said, ”The major key to a better future is you.”
9. Pomodoro technique
Picture this: You’re sitting at your desk, staring blankly at your screen, wondering where the heck all your motivation went. Sound familiar? Well, say hello to your new best friend – the Pomodoro technique!
So, what the heck is a Pomodoro, you ask? It’s a super simple productivity hack that involves breaking your work into short, focused bursts – usually 25 minutes – followed by a short break.
Here’s how it works: Set a timer for 25 minutes and dive into your work with laser focus. No distractions, no excuses – just pure productivity. Once the timer goes off, take a short break – 5 minutes should do the trick. Stretch your legs, grab a snack, or indulge in a quick dance party (no judgment here). Then, rinse and repeat!
The best part? You can customize it to fit your workflow and preferences. Feeling extra motivated? Go for a longer Pomodoro session. Need a break after 10 minutes? No one’s judging. You do you!
The only downside to the Pomodoro technique is that after five minutes of working, my brain thinks it deserves a one-hour break.
10. Let go of perfectionism
This one is a hard one for me because, like I mentioned earlier, I’m an earth sign, more specifically, a September Virgo. I love organizing, I love overanalyzing everything, my hobby is overthinking, and I love perfection when it comes to myself. However, sometimes you just have to say: ”So what. So effing what.”
Post that blog post, get that tattoo, apply for that new job despite not being a 100 percent qualified for it (the men do this all the time and get away with it).
Remember, luck favors the doers, not the perfectionists.
So there you have it, folks – a few productivity hacks to help you conquer your to-do list without losing your sanity. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your productivity empire. This is a journey, not a race.
