While a lot of people think productivity is only about the productivity tools, tips and hacks – it’s really about mastering the foundations of your mindset and then complementing them with tools and approaches that enhance your performance.
Once the basics – such as clarity regarding your goals, clear motivation, a well-articulated action plan, and a system of habits and routines that are conducive to consistency are in place, you can start to implement the productivity-enhancing tools. They are the cherry on top.
First things first however – not all tools are created equal. Again, it is a common misconception that the best productivity tools are things like the newest gadget, fancy paid subscription to do list, time tracking app and so on…
But I am here to tell you that my 4 MOST crucial productivity tools, that bring 90% of results are FREE and absolutely SIMPLE to use. So let’s go…
The first tool is…. drumroll please…
NO. 1 AIRPLANE MODE… (yes, let it sink)
Seriously? Airplane mode is my “hack”?
No, it’s not my hack – I do not do hacks and tricks.
I work with my high-ticket clients on their productivity holistically, combining state and energy management, with their own success blueprint and my extensive research and coaching experience. I am not a part-time intern for a big network marketing IG account posting fancy hacks to get clicks…
So yes, Airplane mode it is!
Sounds interesting? Here is how you are going to apply it today:
- When you go to sleep you put your phone on airplane mode and won’t switch it back on until 15 + minutes after you wake up (if you have a standard morning routine then after the routine)
- When at work, as soon as you start working on an important task, put your phone on airplane mode and put it away (like where you cannot see it).
- When today you are with someone important to you, put away your phone. Be really present with them, and dedicate your time and full attention. You will see that even 30 min brings more connection than an entire day when the phone is glued to your hand.
NO. 2 TIMER… (yes, I said what i said)
Now, without further ado, let’s go on to #2
And #2 is admittedly my all-time fav – because it’s all about TIME. It’s TIMER.
Yes – told you simple and free. Yet absolutely powerful. This is how I use it:
Benchmark Deep work: Many of my clients come to me complaining they lack focus, they feel unproductive and tired. When I ask them above how much time they spend focused, working on one task and how much time they rest – they have no idea. Its then hard to feel accomplished if you do not know what accomplished means. Tracking your focus time is thus essential.
Guilt free scrolling – Putting your phone away as a blanket “hack” is not a productivity strategy. Many people like myself literally work on their phone – plus phones can be such a useful tool. That is if you don’t spend every waking minute on it.Setting a timer to cap your free browsing spree is a great way to get the best of both worlds. Thee same goes to any other type of “free time” activity.
Manage expectations – I use a timer to create predictability for my daughter. If she is doing something, while I need her to be doing something else – I don’t just rip her toy off her hands. I tell her we will be soon doing XYZ instead of ABC and that I am setting a timer. As soon as the timer goes off, she is ready to transition (ok, not always but that is for another debate).
Feel the pull, but not sure how to implement it?
No worries – here’s how you will use the TIMER to get stuff done faster, feel more relaxed about your free time and have calmer household:
- 50 min Deep focus session – Set your timer anywhere between 20-50 minutes and focus on one Task only. This will be your deep work session as well as a target for feeling “productive” on a particular day. I usually set 3-4 deep focus sessions.
- 10 min do whatever you want” break – When on break set your timer for 5-10 minutes and enjoy anything you want to do guilt free. If you get back “to work” when the alarm rings, who cares if you scrolled through 23536426 reels or watched KUWTK season 1 again.
- Manage kid’s expectations – If you have kids, and want them to get moving faster, you can use alarm to create expectations and predictability for them.
NO. 3 NOTION… (let me explain)
Still here? Great because #3 is a real treat.
Its my master list platform – NOTION
I started using Notion for my To-Do List. I wanted to organize all my personal and work actions points in one place that would work on desktop and mobile equally well.
At the same time, I wanted a tool that is EASY to use, MINIMALIST, and has a very user-friendly DESIGN.
It took me a few years to find the right fit, and when I opened Notion, I felt like “home”.
Now, fast forward 1 and half years, NOTION is not only my favorite To-Do list app, but it’s so much more – Iit doubles as a project management, info-gathering, brainstorming and collaboration tool.
I use it to:
- Make a to-do list in every area of my life (personal, physical, professional, and family..)
- Prepare Daily, Weekly, and monthly plans
- Track the progress of my goals
- Share work with collaborators
- Create travel plans and packing lists
- Gather information and useful links on any topics
My heart is literally singing, because thanks to NOTION, I have everything I need to be organized under “one roof”.
Sounds interesting? Here’s how you can too (how to practically implement this “NOTION advice” I am giving you today):
STEP 1: Gather all of the action points. COllect all of the 75 posted, 3 different agendas, written notes from conferences and trainings, notes on your phone and put it all in one place
STEP 2: Download the Tool and set your account (it’s free!). You can use this LINK.
STEP 3: For every area of your life you want to have organized, create a section & subsections & pages & lists. Customize as you deem fit!
I guess by now you are pretty shocked that things like fancy planner, ultra high tech app or tiny 1% habits didn’t make the list?
Of course – the TIME MINIMALIST is a method that focuses only on quality strategies that work, not the same basic advice that’s everywhere… I urge you to go back to the previous weeks’ emails to see why.
But now, without further ado, let’s go on to #4, which is an app that seemingly has nothing to do with productivity.
Actually, I guess the gurus would tell you that THIS app is the source of your productivity issues, from procrastination to multitasking.
But you want higher level thinking, than elementary school style advice. To be truly productive, you want a proven data driven strategy.
NO #4 is YOUTUBE!
Because the science of performance says it clearly – music helps productivity on VARIOUS levels.
First, music can increase your dopamine levels. Why should you care? Because dopamine is a stimulant that helps you to concentrate and get results. Simply put, to increase your productivity, you need to boost your dopamine. Music works wonders.
What is more, music makes work more enjoyable. We are 3x more likely to do something that we enjoy. Also did you know that music (especially if it’s familiar) can help you maintain your focus and concentration longer as it blocks out distractions?
Last but not least, if you use a particular playlist over and over only for your deep work sessions, it also serves as an important trigger. This trigger is signaling to your brain that you are starting your focus session and puts you in the puts state. This helps not only to concentrate during the focus session, but most importantly it helps you to start the focus session in the first place, which is, from my experience, the actual issue.
How to use it in practice? Easy, choose a nice, slow, and enjoyable playlist on your music platform of choice (I use Youtube and Spotify), and use it during your focus sessions and ONLY during your focus sessions. Use it multiple times over and over, until it becomes both a habit AND a trigger for the habit.
CREATE TIME FOR WORK AND LIFE, AND SUCCEED IN BOTH.
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