3️⃣ Be a scheduling fanatic
💬 “Your calendar reflects your priorities, and if you don’t fill your calendar with your priorities, someone else will fill it with theirs.”
– Jeremy Horowitz , Head of Growth @ Daasity
Seems obvious, but taking time to plan out your workday is absolutely ~crucial~ to your productivity. If you don’t have a schedule to follow, you’re more likely to get sucked into unimportant tasks, extra meetings, or binge-watching the best trick shots on YouTube.
This can be as simple as blocking time for specific tasks on your calendar. The more detailed you can get, the better (even down to 15-minute increments).
And don’t forget the concept of energy management: when are you most productive? Try to schedule your hardest/most mentally-taxing tasks for that time.
💬 “I think of my to-do list items in terms of ‘how much energy would this task require?’ and schedule my day accordingly.”
– Rochi Zalani , Freelance Writer
4️⃣ Chunk your time
If you find yourself becoming easily distracted and unable to complete big tasks, disciplined “time chunking,” can be incredibly effective.
💬 “‘Chunking’ my time into blocks of deep work (à la Cal Newport) makes me so much more productive. I’ll set aside 3-4 hours to focus on ONE thing, and that’s all I do. No phone, no Slack, no email. It’s amazing how much I can get done.”
– Kelsey Hess , Contributing Writer @ DTC Newsletter
Another popular timing hack is the Pomodoro Technique. ⏰ This involves working straight for a set amount of time with no interruptions; taking a break to go for a walk, do pushups, or meditate; and repeating – usually in 25/5 or 45/15 minute increments.
5️⃣ Use anti-distraction tech
Can’t stay off Twitter during the day? Slack notifications got your brain playing ping-pong? 🤯
Try installing technology on your computer that removes distractions and notifications.
💬 “I use the minimal theme for Twitter, and it's quite useful. I also use HEY email which has notifications off by default, so that helps minimize distractions.”
– David, Founder/Designer @ Rainier Watch
Other distracting-fighting tools and tech:
- Snooze all notifications. Just do it.
- Strict Workflow for Pomodoro technique.
- StayFocusd to limit time on certain websites.
- TimeWarp sets up browser wormholes to remind you to be productive.
- Asana, Trello, Monday, or Todoist for task management
- Listen to Brain.fm binaural beats / focus music
6️⃣ Automate when you can
One often-overlooked element of productivity is identifying what work you don’t actually have to do manually and finding a way to automate it. 💡
💬 “I set up a bunch of automations in Asana that have simplified and shortened our email brief process. [I] created a form where I input the brief info, it then automatically assigns it to our copywriter, then passes to the designer once the copy is ready. I used to do all of that manually.”
– Troy Petrunoff , Retention Marketing Manager @ Every Man Jack
Automations can literally save you hours of work each week!
7️⃣ Block out strict “you time” every day
Workaholics, listen up: don’t underestimate the power of feeling happy and healthy on your productivity.
Set boundaries with work, and block out time to engage in activities that recharge your battery each day, whether that’s exercise, cooking, hanging out with family and friends, or bingeing Netflix (no judgment).
💬 “My alarm goes off at 6:30 and I take my dog for a jog [or walk] every morning. I come back, tidy up the house, listen to an audiobook, play fetch outside, do a workout, or watch a show. I find I am happier and much more productive during the day if I take some time in the morning to myself.”
– Raven Dixon , Head of Education & Growth @ DTC Newsletter
