3 Fresh Productivity Hacks to Get More Done
By Garik Himebaugh
April 29, 2016 • Fact checked by Dumb Little Man
Do you want to tackle your to-do list, but you’re just not sure how? I share your passion for productivity, but sometimes I get stuck in a rut feeling like my productivity has stagnated. One thing that works great when this happens, that you can do right now, is to start some fresh productivity hacks to get you back on track. Sometimes all you need is that little push of a few fresh ideas which make productivity fun again.
Here are 3 fresh productivity hacks to get you motivated and accomplishing even more in less time.
1. Momentum
Momentum (https://momentumdash.com) is a free Google Chrome extension that appears every time you open a new tab in the Google Chrome browser. It displays a beautiful background image, a welcoming phrase with your name (such as “Good Evening Sexy”), and best of all, one daily focus goal. Each day when you open a new tab it will ask you to type in your one focus goal for that day, such as reach out to 5 prospective clients, write one article, or study for 4 hours. It will remind you of your one goal for the rest of the day in a subtle and aesthetically pleasing way. This extension can also be customized to include other things like weather, quotes, and a to-do list. Personally, I just use the daily focus feature and I love it. This extension will require you minimal effort, it’s free, and with the extra boost of motivation, it’s a no-brainer.
2. HELL YEAH! or No
You’ve probably heard it said before that we need to say no to more things in order to be more productive. We all have too much on our plates. Entrepreneur and author, Derek Sivers has said it best. When he’s faced with deciding whether or not to do something, if his feeling is not HELL YEAH, then he simply says no. You don’t have time to do everything, or to waste your time on things you just aren’t passionate and excited about. As you say no to things that don’t excite you and make more room for the things you really care about, you can ruthlessly minimize your schedule and focus your attention on what really matters. In this way, you can accomplish far more and be much happier doing it.
3. Take a Break
Taking a break to boost your productivity might sound crazy, but it works. Many productivity experts have found this to be true and suggest variations of the work-break model. Taking breaks allows you to recharge your mind and using a timer keeps you focused during your work period, helping to minimize distractions. Before you get started you will need a timer such as your smart phone, a phone app, a web app, or a physical timer that you can set in front of you. Some people recommend the physical timer but pick one that works for you.Here are a couple techniques to try:
(10+2)*5 Technique
Despite its algebraic appearance, this is super simple. You work for 10 minutes, take a 2 minute break, and then repeat. Do this 5 times and that’s 1 hour, effectively divided into 50 minutes of working and 10 minutes of breaks. The (10+2)*5 technique helps you to stay focused for that entire hour of work. Try it and see if it works for you.
Pomodoro Technique
Pick a task to accomplish. Then work for 25 minutes, take a 5 minute break (that’s one Pomodoro session), and repeat. After every 4 Pomodoro sessions, take a long break of 15-30 minutes. With the Pomodoro technique you are getting 50 minutes of work and 10 minutes of break per hour, the same as the (10+2)*5 technique, just divided up differently.
What to do on your breaks?
Drink some coffee, catch up on your phone, check email, do some push-ups, take a brisk walk, adjust your suspenders, pet your dog, or tell someone you love them; it doesn’t matter. The breaks are your chance to recharge so you’re ready to go back to work! Try one or both of these techniques, and if you like don’t like either then design your own. For example, you could work for 30 minutes and take 10 minute breaks, or pick a variation that works for you. That’s 3 fresh productivity hacks to get you closer to your goals. Got a favorite of your own? Share it in the comments!
Garik Himebaugh
Garik Himebaugh helps freelancers and entrepreneurs be more productive and grow their businesses at TurboResults.com