Work Smarter, Not Harder
Not everything in life is meant to be about making something more efficient, but when many of us feel like we have a million things to do on a day-to-day basis, it helps to have some tricks up your sleeve. The most important thing is finding a routine that works best for you. Who knows, combining some of these hacks may give you a new outlook on life.
1. Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time management method that breaks up your work into 25-minute intervals, separated by five-minute breaks. It’s said that this technique improves focus and prevents burnout, but depending on your job, it might not be a realistic option.
2. The Two-Minute Rule
The two-minute rule states that if something can be done in under two minutes, you should do it right away. This can mean making the bed, switching a load of laundry, or responding to an email. This rule encourages people to avoid procrastinating the little tasks, which can very quickly add up if you’re not careful.
3. Saying No
One of the hardest hacks to do, but one also one of the most freeing. If you’re swamped with a busy work or home life, sometimes the last thing you want to do is go on an impromptu dinner date or adventure. It’s important to socialize, so this isn’t an all-or-nothing hack, but making sure to take time for yourself is just as important.
4. Create a To-Do List
Writing everything you have to do down on paper is one of the easiest ways to organize your mind. Depending on your work style, having a general plan is sometimes effective, or you can further organize your to-dos by task, importance, or time consumption.
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5. Avoid Multitasking
Some folks need to have music or podcasts playing to complete their work, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Like driving, however, your focus must remain on the task at hand. It’s more likely that you’re going to miss something important when you’re doing five things at once.
6. Clear Your Workspace
As the saying goes, “a clean space means a clean mind.” Knowing where everything is and where everything goes will minimize distractions or procrastination attempts, and you won’t spend 10 minutes of your day looking for that very specific thing you saw on the floor, like, two weeks ago.
7. Start With The Hardest Task
Getting the hardest or most daunting task out of the way is a great way to jumpstart your productivity. By completing the worst task first, your mind will be more open to finishing the other tasks you need to do, and you’re more likely to finish all your tasks for the day.
8. Time Blocking
If you’re really into making regimens for yourself, time blocking is a great way to do so— and it doesn’t just have to be work-related. This method is effective for event preparation, house cleanings, or travel itineraries, as you can look more objectively at your day and allot yourself appropriate times for work and rest.
9. Task Automation
Sometimes, the most time-consuming tasks are the most repetitive ones, and that’s where task automation comes in. Creating email templates, setting specific pages to open when you log in for the day, or scheduling social media posts for your job are all great examples of task automation.
10. Take Regular Breaks
It seems counterintuitive, but taking regular breaks is important for brain health and functionality. Taking 5-10 minutes to emotionally reset after completing a task can help you in the long run, and also gives you time to stretch, eat a snack, or otherwise take care of your body.
11. Batch Similar Tasks
Batching tasks is exactly what it sounds like. You have a whack of emails to send out? Do it all in one go. Instead of switching between several tabs and projects, you can really hone in on the specifics of each task, and be kinder to your brain as well.
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12. The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, is another way to visualize the tasks you need to complete within the day. Separated into four quadrants: Urgent, Not Urgent, Important, Not Important, you’re less likely to feel like everything needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
13. Use Website Blockers
Even with your productivity tools in place, it’s still easy to fall into a procrastination cycle. One way to deter this is to block whatever social media websites you have from your computer, which will make it difficult to fall off track.
14. Get Enough Sleep
Heard time and time again, and easier said than done, but getting enough sleep is crucial to having a productive day. If you’re constantly working while you’re sleep-deprived, you’re more likely to burn out, lose focus, or turn in subpar work.
15. Eliminate Distractions
We mentioned using website blockers already, but physical distractions can also limit your productivity. Working in a designated workspace, wearing headphones or earplugs, and keeping your phone out of reach are a few ways to keep yourself on track.
16. Relinquish Perfection
Sure, you want your work to be good. Great, even. But it’s never going to be perfect. Whether it's a presentation, a meal, or cleaning your floors, it’s especially important to know when to stop.
17. Start a “Maintenance Day”
Relating more to your home life, a maintenance day is one day a week that you complete larger tasks. This could be a grocery shop, meal prep, laundry, or general cleaning, but the point is to make the rest of the week easier on yourself.
18. Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize
In any productivity situation, making sure you prioritize the most important tasks is crucial to having a successful day. Not only that, but it’s important to set boundaries when it comes to how you work. If a coworker is asking for something to be completed by EOD, you don’t have to immediately drop what you’re doing to help them out. Instead, schedule a spot in your day where you’re able to assist with new or current projects.
19. Make a Procrastination List
The point of these hacks is to avoid procrastination, but sometimes it can’t be helped. When you need a distraction from a more significant task, the low-energy, high-leverage, or simple tasks of the procrastination list can be a saving grace. It lets you mentally step back from an overbearing project while still letting you be productive.
20. Reward Yourself
It’s a hard life, and you’ve earned a little treat just by getting through the day. Self-imposed reward systems are a great way to keep your motivation up, and they can be anything. Tough day? Get yourself your favorite ice cream. Tough week? Give yourself a manicure, or buy a video game you’ve been meaning to try. It’s a real morale booster and gives you something to look forward to when the hard work is done.
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