9 Productivity Hacks: Finish What You Started
There are many techniques that help you finish your coursework, home chores, or just normal life tasks. Sometimes they can pile up and become overwhelming. Here are 9 productivity hacks that help me finish things, like this blog 😊:
EAT THE FROG
The “frog” is considered your most important and daunting task. The task you’re most likely to procrastinate. Do that task first. Get it out of the way.
KANBAN BOARD
Grab a board (I use a whiteboard because sticky notes stay in place), draw two lines, title the first category “To Do”, the second “Working On” and the last “Completed”. Write all over your tasks on separate sticky notes and add them to their appropriate group. Only work on tasks listed in the “Working On” section. Move the tasks as you work. Kanban boards are great for visual people. It’s so fun to move tasks to the completed section.
3-3-3 TO DO RULE
Start by listing all of your tasks. Then draw three boxes. Title the boxes “3 Must,” 3 Easy,” and “3 Proactive.” Now rewrite all of the tasks in their appropriate boxes. Start by completing the tasks listed in the “3 Must” section, then move on to the next box. Do this until all of the tasks are completed.
80/20 METHOD
Think of the decisions you made after waking up this morning. 80% of the results of your day came from 20% of the causes/decisions you made. 80% of your workout progress comes from 20% of your most effective workouts. When you have this mindset, you make better decisions with your 20% because it has so much value.
THE 2-MINUTE RULE
If a task takes only two minutes to do, just do it right away. Your home will stay cleaner longer if you do this. 🫧
EISENHOWER MATRIX
Sort your tasks into four categories: the tasks you’ll do first, the tasks you’ll do later, the tasks you’ll delegate (ask someone else to do), and the tasks you’ll delete/not do. This is VERY effective in moments when you feel overwhelmed.
WARREN BUFFETT 5/25
List your 25 goals, then circle the top 5 goals on your list. Boom. Only focus on those goals. This gives you a more narrow focus and helps you be more successful since the other 20 will take away from the top 5.
3-3-3 METHOD
Select three hours you plan to work effectively. Choose three tasks to do in those three hours. Then do three easy tasks, things you’ve been avoiding. Then complete three maintenance tasks. These are tasks that help you maintain your progress and keep you from getting behind. This is what good days are made of. 🤌🏾
TIME BLOCKING
Schedule your day. Be sure to include three hours of deep work, a meal, and a break. Bonus points if you add physical activity. It can be a stroll around Target (without a purchase 😉).
I use most of these at some point every year and some on a regular basis. I look forward to writing more and more and I need these techniques to manage my racing mind/ideas and the actions I take to get them written.
Being productive is needed if you have dreams and goals, and honestly, just to manage your life. But don’t forget to rest. We can only push so far if we don’t rest. None of these hacks will work if your body says “Yeah, I’mma head out”.
Hope these help!
Jau 💚
#productivitytools #productivitydiary #productivity #productivityadvices #goalsetting #schooltips#college
Hey everyone! Building on those essential productivity hacks, I wanted to dive a bit deeper, especially for my fellow students out there, or anyone feeling like they need an extra push to tackle bigger projects. I know how easy it is to get swamped with assignments, exams, or even just juggling personal goals on top of everything else. One hack that pairs perfectly with 'Time Blocking' (and is often what people mean when they search for 'pomodoro game') is the Pomodoro Technique. It's super simple but incredibly effective. Here’s how I use it: I set a timer for 25 minutes and focus intensely on ONE task – no distractions, phone on silent, just pure work. When the timer rings, I take a 5-minute break. After four 'pomodoros,' I take a longer break, maybe 20-30 minutes. This structured approach helps me maintain focus, prevents burnout, and makes those long study sessions feel less daunting. You can even find fun 'pomodoro game' apps that gamify this process, which is a great motivator! I often use a physical timer on my desk, right next to my planner with all my handwritten notes, just like in some of those productivity setups you see! For students, specifically, applying these hacks can be a game-changer. The Eisenhower Matrix isn't just for work; it's perfect for prioritizing assignments. Is that essay due tomorrow (urgent & important)? Do it now. Is that reading for next week (important but not urgent)? Schedule it. Delegating might mean asking a classmate for help on a tough concept, or forming a study group. And deleting? Sometimes you have to accept that not every optional activity can fit. Another tip for students, linking back to the '80/20 Method,' is to identify the most impactful study activities. Is it rereading notes, or doing practice problems? For me, practice problems always yielded 80% of my understanding in 20% of the time spent. Focus your precious study hours on what genuinely moves the needle. If you're aiming for that 'Harvard 100 productivity tips' level of efficiency, remember that consistency is key. Don't try to implement all 9 hacks at once. Pick one or two that resonate most, like 'Eat the Frog' for that intimidating first task, or the '2-Minute Rule' for keeping your study space tidy. Once those become habits, slowly integrate others. I personally love seeing my progress on a Kanban board, moving those sticky notes from "Working On" to "Completed" – it’s such a satisfying visual! And let's not forget the importance of self-care. The article mentions it, and I can't stress it enough. All the productivity hacks in the world won't help if you're running on empty. Schedule in your breaks, your meals, and some physical activity. Even a quick walk around campus or some stretching can reset your focus. Our brains aren't meant to be "on" 24/7. Taking care of your well-being is the ultimate productivity hack, allowing all others to truly shine. So, experiment with these tools, find what works for you, and watch yourself conquer those goals!
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