Spending hours searching Google for articles containing the best productivity methods is a classic procrastination technique, especially when that time should probably be spent doing something else instead. Very often we know exactly what we need to do and when it needs to be done by, but without that essential get-up-and-go, our potential for productivity remains limited.Â
If you are struggling to maintain your motivation or beat the slump, we have broken down the most talked about productivity methods on the web. Save time with our quick summary of the techniques that everyone else is using, and why these methods might be just what you need to make sense of your to-do list, improve output and achieve success.
Created by the master of organization that is Ryder Carroll, Bullet Journaling has taken the world by storm. Millions of us now swear by our BuJos to help keep us organized! It is basically just a to-do list system, with a key to indicate between tasks, events, appointments and what further action is needed. The best thing about the bullet journal is how you can personalize it to match your individual needs. If you have a look on Insta, some of the spreads are masterpieces and lots of people choose to use their Bullet Journal as a creative outlet, but this is not essential in the slightest. It is a flexible system, and whilst a blank notebook is best, it can also be applied to a pre-printed planner to save time.
Digitalizing Productivity
Keeping things digital is not only more convenient, but it is also better for the environment and more protected. You can stick with the calendar or notes application on your phone or you can choose from the hundreds of thousands of free and premium options. Popular choices include Wunderlist, Todoist, and Evernote. For anyone who really struggles with procrastination, Habitica is a great way to gamify your everyday tasks and routines and even adds a competitive element to maintaining your routines and schedules.
Mark Twain once said if you have to eat a live frog every day, you should do it in the morning so that you can get through your day knowing that you have already faced the worst possible part of it. Created by Brian Tracy, the Eat That Frog productivity technique is based on the premise that we should get our worst tasks done first. This method was influenced by the 80/20 principle (also known as the Pareto principle), which proposes that you spend 20% of your time on the most important tasks, and 80% on everyday tasks. Tracy also recommends prioritizing your to-do list- from A to Z, which will allow you to wheedle out the fat frogs that need to be eaten right away. Whilst some people find this to be a highly effective technique, success does depend on you and the time of your day that you are most productive.
Created by Francesco Cirillo, the Pomodoro technique is a popular productivity method that many people swear by. The method involves using a timer to block out your time into tasks and breaks. Originally, the technique asks for 25 minutes of work followed by a five-minute break. If 25 minutes seems like a big ask, you can change this to suit your needs. For example, for a particularly grueling task, a great tip is to use your timer wisely. You can do pretty much anything for just 5 minutes and often simply starting will create the momentum you need to get motivated.
Self-Care
Effective doses of self-care can have a significantly positive impact on your productivity levels. When you are happy and relaxed, you are more likely to succeed. Whether it is taking up a new hobby, a good pamper session or just a quick nap, schedule your self-care and treat it just like any other appointment.
