Nine of My Favorite Productivity Methods in One Effective List

A good productivity method can be the difference between a disorganized and unfulfilling day and one where you get a lot done and feel great. This compromise explains the existence of so many methods, techniques, and life hacks. Some are over 100 years old , some were accidentally discovered by ordinary people seeking to improve their lives, and some are the work of self-proclaimed gurus who publish entire books about their discoveries.

Some are better than others—though perhaps this isn’t entirely objective. To find the one that’s right for you, check out this guide to my seven favorite options. It’s worth noting that these are my favorites, but there are plenty of others you can consider. Try the one that feels like it perfectly aligns with your way of thinking and working (or try avoiding work altogether).

The Energy Hour Method

The idea for the “Power Hour” comes from Adrienne Herbert’s book, ” Power Hour: How to Focus on Your Goals and Create a Life You Love.” She encourages you to dedicate an hour a day to working diligently on your most important task—or whatever matters most to you. Sometimes this is a task that needs to be completed and will have significant impact on your life, such as filling out job applications or completing homework. In this case, your overall goal—self-improvement—is most important to you. Other times, it might be a personal project or passion you want to make time for to improve your life, feel happier, and be more productive. The key is to truly commit to this hour each day, adjusting your schedule as needed .

Here is a more detailed description of this approach, which I have begun to put into practice in my life with excellent results.

The 10-Minute Rule

Of all the methods on this list, this is probably the one I use (or adapt) the most. Essentially, when there’s a small, mundane, or tedious task that doesn’t inspire you but will take no more than 10 minutes to complete, you just do it. Just do it. That’s it. It sounds easy, but it’s not, since these are the tasks you most often put off and ignore, like answering emails or washing dishes. Fighting that impulse, committing to just doing these things when they come to mind, and then doing them, is difficult at first, but over time, it becomes a habit—and a habit that brings a lot of benefits. I do this when I clean my apartment. Instead of agonizing over some cleaning to-do list or structured plan (which is helpful for many people), I simply tackle the task when I notice it needs to be done. Then not only does it just get done, which is the goal, but I also feel motivated and fulfilled. Since I started doing this, my house has never been so clean, even though I don’t follow any strict rules other than “just do it.”

I also combine this with another favorite technique, ” one more, ” which involves asking yourself, “Could I do one more?” every time you complete a small task. The answer is usually yes, and when it turns negative, you allow yourself to stop. The simple realization that you don’t have to do it, but you can do something about it, can be quite motivating.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the 10-minute rule.

A “method of action” for improving productivity

This method is one of my favorites for maintaining focus when I’m juggling multiple projects. It involves organizing tasks into three categories: action steps, references, and later tasks . Then, you enter all the data into a spreadsheet using these three categories as column headings. You organize tasks into columns, along with notes, additional materials, and anything else you need—and move them around as their status changes, since what’s a later task today may become an action step tomorrow. This organization helps you focus on the most urgent tasks. Here’s a full explanation of how to use the action method. ( The “ABC” method is very similar: “A” tasks are high-priority, “B” tasks are high-priority, and “C” tasks are low-priority.)

The 3-3-3 Productivity Improvement Method

Using this technique, you plan your day in three phases : dedicating the first three hours to deep work on your most important project, then three other urgent tasks that require less time, followed by three “support” tasks, such as responding to emails or scheduling other work. This method works because you do deep, focused work early in the day, which allows you to enter a state of flow, gives you a sense of accomplishment, and makes subsequent tasks easier. I like this method on days when I need some structure. I use a prioritization method—usually MIT , which forces me to think about my responsibilities in terms of the impact they will have on my life, but sometimes something like the Eisenhower Matrix —to determine which category all my to-dos fall into, and then follow the guidelines to ensure they all get done. I usually use this method when I have a big project and am having trouble figuring out how to get it all done. Even breaking one big task down into three hours of hard work, three urgent components, and three “maintenance” tasks makes the whole process a little easier.

Here’s a guide to planning your day in three steps.

The Eat the Frog Productivity Method

Similar to the 3-3-3 method, the ” Eat the Frog ” method encourages you to tackle your biggest, scariest, most difficult task first thing in the morning. No matter how time-consuming the task is, the one that keeps you up at night, it should be the first thing you do. It’s similar to the “Power Hour” in that it should be tackled early in the morning, but it differs in that it doesn’t have to be your most important or most beloved project. After that, everything else should become easier. While most proponents insist on “Eat the Frog” immediately after waking up, this method can work on any schedule as long as you’re willing to tackle a challenging task early in the morning with enthusiasm and confidence, thus freeing up the rest of the day for other work and reducing overall stress. When I use this method, I refine its terms a bit. If cleaning the kitchen is the most time-consuming task of the day, that doesn’t mean I should do it right after waking up, but only when I get home from work or after running errands. It doesn’t make sense to put off leaving work all day just to do this, but making it the “first thing” I do when I’m in the right place makes sense, as it will brighten up the rest of the evening spent at home.

Here’s a guide to eating your first frog, so to speak .

The Kanban productivity improvement method

Kanban is similar to the Action Method, but it requires you to mark tasks as “to do,” “in progress,” and “done.” It works best in a spreadsheet or even on a large sticky note board, but you need three columns to move completed tasks to the “done” pile and those that still need to be done to the “to do” pile. If you’re a visual person, this will be a real game changer, as it helps you easily see what needs to be done and gives you the satisfaction of seeing completed tasks piling up in the “done” pile.

Here’s a guide to implementing the Kanban productivity method.

A method for increasing productivity using timeboxing

Another technique for those who are visual learners and motivated is timeboxing. It requires planning out your entire day. Every action, from responding to emails and working on a major project to grabbing a snack, should be scheduled on your calendar. A digital calendar like Google Calendar is much easier for this, as much of your day can change, and it’s easier to move tasks around than a paper planner. However, try not to deviate too much from your schedule just because it’s easy to drag and drop. The idea behind this method is that it allows you to schedule just the right amount of time for each task, while still filling your entire day with activities. There are many techniques associated with this method, and once you get started, you can immerse yourself in a world of productivity methods. For example, Parkinson’s Law states that the more time you allow yourself to work on something, the longer you’ll spend doing it, which over time reduces your productivity, deteriorates the quality of your work , and prevents you from focusing on other things. With timeboxing, you can and should practice cutting down on all your tasks, reducing the overall time you spend working. Don’t forget to take breaks during these gaps. They are also important for productivity .

Here’s a guide to getting started with timeboxing.

The Pomodoro productivity technique

This is a time-tested method that works great: work on a task for 25 minutes, take a short break of about five minutes, and then work for another 25 minutes. Each time you complete four 25-minute cycles, take a longer break. This helps you get into the rhythm of working hard during those 25-minute periods, knowing you’ll get a short break. The break recharges you, and you return to work again and again until you’re finished. To maximize the benefits of the Pomodoro Method, invest in a dedicated timer so you don’t have to set alarms on your phone and can work without being distracted by it and all its distracting apps. Alternatively, an app might be just what you need. I really like Focus Pomo , an app specifically designed for the Pomodoro Method that blocks all other apps during “focus sessions.” If after a few tries, this approach doesn’t seem effective, don’t be afraid to adapt it . The standard work schedule of 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of rest works well for many, but you may need shorter or longer work or break sessions. The key is to time your work wisely, take your breaks, and then get back to work.

Here’s a guide to getting started with the Pomodoro Technique.

Results Planning Method (RPM)

This technique was developed by renowned motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who created it as a motivating, quick, and effective tool. The acronym stands not only for “Rapid Planning Method” but also as a guide to what your day should look like: results-oriented, goal-oriented, and built around a “big picture action plan.”

Every morning or once a week, regularly ask yourself these three questions:

1. What do I want?

2. What is my goal?

3. What do I need to do/What is my big action plan?

This way, you become more connected to your mission and have more energy to immediately start working on answering the third question, instead of spending a lot of time thinking about what you should or shouldn’t do.

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