My Six Favorite Productivity Techniques in One Powerful List

A good productivity technique can make the difference between a disorganized, unfulfilling day and a day when you get a ton done and feel great. That’s why there are so many of these methods, techniques and hacks.

However, not every productivity method will work for every person, so here are six of my favorites. Try what seems to be the best solution for your thinking and work (or try to avoid work).

The “method of action” of productivity

This method is one of my favorites for getting things done when I’m juggling multiple projects. He encourages you to divide your tasks into three categories: action steps, links, and secondary tasks . Once you’ve done this, you put it all into a spreadsheet with these three categories as the column headings. You place tasks in each column along with notes, additional materials, and anything else you need, and move them around as they change labels, because what is a minor action item today may be an action step tomorrow. Organizing it all this way will help you stay on top of your most pressing needs. Here is a complete explanation of how to use the action method. ( The “ABC” method is very similar: “A” tasks are must-have and high-priority tasks, “B” tasks are actions that must be completed, and “C” tasks are low-priority.)

The 3-3-3 productivity method

Using this method, you aim to plan your day in threes : spend the first three hours working deeply on your most important project, then complete three other urgent tasks that require less time, and then complete three “maintenance” tasks, such as replies. email or scheduling other work. This method works because you do deep, focused work up front, which gets you into the zone and gives you a sense of accomplishment that makes it easier to solve problems later.

Here’s a guide to planning your day in threes.

The “Eat the Frog” productivity method

Similar to 3-3-3, the Eat the Frog method encourages you to get to work on your biggest, scariest, wartsiest task first thing in the morning. Whatever time-consuming task is keeping you up at night, this is what you should do first. After that, everything else should be easy. Some proponents argue that you should “eat the frog” as soon as you wake up, but this method can work in any schedule as long as you commit to tackling a difficult task early, with enthusiasm and without hesitation, thereby freeing up the rest of your time. your day to do other work and reduce your overall stress levels.

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

Kanban productivity method

Kanban is similar to the activity method, but requires you to label your tasks as “to do,” “done,” and “done.” This works best if managed in a spreadsheet or even a large board with sticky notes, but you need three columns so that you can move all completed tasks into the “Done” pile and anything else that needs to be done into the “To Do” pile. ” If you are a visual person, this will be a game changer as it will help you easily see what needs to be done and will give you some satisfaction when you see what you have already achieved piling up in the “done” column. »

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

Timeboxing productivity method

Another trick for those who are visually inclined and motivated: timeboxing requires you to plan your entire day. From answering email to working on a big project to grabbing a snack, every activity should be on your calendar. It’s much easier to use a digital calendar like Google Calendar for this, since much of a typical day can change and moving things around is easier than in a physical planner, but try to stay on schedule as well. a lot of. The idea behind this method is that it allows you to plan to spend as much time on each task as you need to complete it, while still filling your entire day with activity.

Here’s a guide to getting started with timeboxing.

Pomodoro productivity technique

This is an old standby that has stood the test of time because it works so well: work on a task for 25 minutes, take a short break of about five minutes, and work again for 25 minutes. Each time you complete four 25-minute cycles, take a longer break. This will help you work harder during those 25-minute breaks because you know a short break is coming. Taking a break recharges you and you come back again and again until your work is complete.

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