25 Productivity Hacks that will 10x Your Productivity

Did you know that Maya Angelou wrote over 36 books during her writing career, or that Toni Morrison wrote most of her books while working full time as a single mom?

When you hear stories of people producing at incredible levels, how do you feel?

If you’re like me then you want to learn from them and also identify things you need to implement to increase your output and success.

It’s recorded that Toni Morrison would usually wake up at 4 a.m to write before leaving for work, she also used small pockets of time in her day to work on her writing.

This is certainly inspiring.

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WHY DOES PRODUCTIVITY MATTER?

Building your Productivity has a direct impact on your growth and the things you achieve. It really is a game changer for anyone looking to live a happier and more meaningful life.

Some examples of productivity principles:

1. Focus
2. Consistent production/creation
3. Resilience
4. Time management
5. Prioritization
6. Alignment
7. Mental agility

While the above list is not exhaustive, it however highlights the power of productivity principles and how they can be the difference between a frustrated workday and success. More so, these productivity ideas also work hand in hand.

For example, a popular productivity advice is to time block, this is a productivity hack to increase output, and to be able to effectively time block, you need to learn how to focus and prioritise your tasks. In addition, time blocking without prioritization may mean we are focusing on the wrong things at the right time.

No one wants that.

Now that we have a clearer idea of these productivity principles, keep reading to learn 25 incredible productivity tips you should try this year.

25 PRODUCTIVITY HACKS TO BOOST YOUR WORK OUTPUT.

1. Set your priorities before you start your workday.

Knowing the key tasks for each day and focusing on these until they are completed will always be the fastest way to achieve your productivity goals.

In his book, Essentialism, Greg Mckeown had this to say:

“The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default. Instead of making choices reactively, the Essentialist deliberately distinguishes the vital few from the trivial many, eliminates the nonessentials, and then removes obstacles do the essential things have clear, smooth passage.”

2. Use a timer for productivity sprints and for meetings.

Have you noticed that there are certain daily tasks that tend to overrun. Meetings are one common example. Using a timer and setting a clear plan of action or agenda can help you keep to time and also ensure you are making time for other things.

Using a timer will help you stay focused and better structure your day.

3. Back up your work

You can set up automatic back up of your work to make sure you never lose your work or momentum.

There are several apps and devices for back up. A popular option is Google, another is Apple iCloud. You can also consider Dropbox and Microsoft’s One Drive.

If you prefer a physical option, then you can use a hard drive.

4. Track your progress.

Tracking your progress enables you to understand your progress or otherwise, in real time. You can try out a daily or weekly progress check in – this is particularly useful for multi day or multi-week projects.

One great way to do this is to create some accountability process. This may be with an accountability partner or platform.

5. Create a sheet with your usual response to messages and emails and use them regularly.

Do you usually receive similar emails and respond with the same or similar information? If so, then you can create a list of your common responses and use it where needed.

We implemented this in our business last year and it’s been a game changer. So, we saved key images and messages we usually send to our clients during enquiries or after purchase to ensure consistency and to save time.

6. Put your devices on ‘Do not disturb’.

One of the most important principles of productivity is focus. In fact, I have heard some people say it’s one of the most expensive currencies of our time.

Using a ‘Do not Disturb’ option on our devices can help us manage our time and our attention, this is especially for those of us who struggle with mindless scrolling.

7. Check your email only 2-3 times a day.

Okay, I know this one sounds easier said than done, but it is possible. To start off, you can use an app like Cape to stop you from checking your email unless it’s during the agreed times.

If you are worried about missing important work or business emails, then you can check just before or after your lunch break and just before the end of your workday. To the extent possible, avoid checking your email first thing in the morning as it can set the tone of your day. This has happened to me where checking my email first thing in the day displaces the rest of my day, and affects my already set down priorities.

8. Use timers for social media and web surfing

This is similar the point in 6 above. While I may not push for a total ban of social media, I do know using timers can help you avoid mindless scrolling.

Another option is to only access your social media on certain devices.

For instance, you can choose to only access Facebook and Instagram on your desktop. The interesting thing is that the experience on a desktop is often underwhelming and will reduce your inclination to browse these sites.

9. Create a minimalist wardrobe.

The late Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg are a few of the famous people who tend to wear the same thing every day. Mark Zuckerberg once told an interviewer that wearing the same things every day allowed him to reserve his mental capacity for more important decisions.

I know the number of times I’ve been stumped and stressed about what to wear. Simplifying this area of my life has been helpful. While I don’t wear the same things every day, I have a small number of clothes to choose from.

10. Say “No” bountifully and “Yes” sparingly.

‘No is a complete sentence. Learn how to say it well.

Here’s a tip from Seth Godin:

“You can say no with respect, you can say no promptly, and you can say no with a lead to someone who might say yes. But just saying yes because you can’t bear the short-term pain of saying no is not going to help you do the work.” 

Seth Godin

11. Permanently turn off device notifications and pings

Have you been in the throes of work only to be disrupted by a ping on WhatsApp? This used to be me, and once that happens, there is the temptation to read the message. More so, it may take some time to refocus on the task at hand.

I propose you permanently turn off all notifications and sounds to avoid these types of distractions.

12. Skip the news or restrict news sources.

Have you ever considered the impact that watching the is having on you?

Curating what you listen to and how often you do is one of the best things you can do for yourself not just for your productivity.

13. Create more than you consume.

Your ability to create is directly proportional to your output and often affects your level of success and wealth.

I remember reading some information about The Beatles. One of the articles mentioned that the group released over 213 songs between 1962 -1970. That’s over 26 songs per year.

What an incredible feat! And it also explains, in many ways why this group dominated the music scene in the 60’s.

Today, we hear of authors, youtubers, and even influencers who have produced unprecedented amount of content that has allowed them to lead in their respective industries.

One way to track this is to ensure you have a daily creation goal. This could be to write a few hundred words each day, record a video or distil a concept you have just learned.

14. Journal to process your thoughts and evaluate your progress.

You already know how much I love journaling.

I believe it is one of the secrets to longevity in business and in life. Why?

It gives us room to process and regulate our emotions. When done well, it can also help us evaluate our progress and make necessary changes.

Looking for a great journaling book? Then check out these options.

15. Try different work environments.

Did you know that Agatha Christie never owned a writing desk? Yet she wrote over 80 novels and 19 plays. How did she do it?

A phrase in honour of her is: “If I fit, I sit” meaning she would often write wherever she could sit down.

Now, some of us may prefer some level of stability, but you should be open to checking out how you work in different environments.

I will also add that sometimes the real block or challenge is in the mind and not so much about our environment.

16. Take daily walks.

There are many benefits to walking, I have mentioned these in previous post here, and here is a Healthline post that also enumerates these benefits.

If you’re just starting out, here are a few things you can do to make it more enjoyable:

• Invest in walking shoes.
• Listen to audio books or podcasts in your area of interest.
• Use a fitness watch to track your progress. I used Fitbit fitness watches for over 6 years and will recommend one every time.

17. Drink loads of water.

Having a healthy mind and body is a great productivity tactic. Staying hydrated is not only good for your digestive system but can also help reduce brain fog and migraines.

If you’ve been struggling with drinking enough water daily, you can consider using a measuring bottle like this or try one of the fancy cups.

18. Take real breaks to decompress.

Stop pushing your vacation time or holding to the belief that your business or job will not survive your absence. This may be an ego boost, but it is messing up with your health.

You need real and consistent breaks.

This could be your daily lunch breaks or longer breaks and vacations. Take them and learn to shut off work during your breaks.

Some ideas may be to take walks, spend time in nature, hang out with friends or do other activities that will improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

19. Invest in your sleep/take naps.

“We will sleep when we are dead” is such a toxic productivity mindset and one we do not support at Pineapplly. Rest is a non-negotiable and doing it well can provide an incredible boost to your productivity.

Research has shown that sleep deprivation has serious negative effects on our health (mental and physical) and our cognitive functions. It is linked to kidney diseases, obesity and even depression. (NHLBI, March 2022)

Which means sleep can help regulate your blood sugar/blood pressure, and also improve your body’s digestive process.

20. Pray

Prayer has been lifesaving. I define prayer as deep contemplation and communication.

I can’t count the number of times it has helped me:

• Stay grounded.
• Accomplish my tasks and even more in record time.
• Handle the challenges that come with the day.
• Stay positive.
• Be grateful.

There’s a quote that perfectly captures this. It says:

“If you day is hemmed in with prayer, it is less likely to come unraveled.”

Cynthia Lewis

If prayer is not your thing (yet) then you can consider meditation.

21. Read at the beginning or end of your day.

A good book not only teaches you something it can also boost your creativity.

Starting your day with a good book can provide insights and unique perspectives you can apply to your day.

22. Go to bed on time.

The tone of your day often starts with what you do the night before. You have probably heard of the need to have an effective evening routine. I agree, how we end the day often affects how we begin the next.

Going to bed 2am will likely mean you will struggle with a 5 or 6am wake up, more so, you are more likely to be groggy when you wake up.

23. Try the 90-90-1 rule.

I first heard about this rule in the 5am Club book by Robin Sharma. This productivity rule has a simple premise:

The more we can focus on one task and consistently work on it, the more likely we are to achieve mastery/success with it.

Mr Sharma’s rule proposes that we

1. Select one task e.g. writing
2. Commit to work on it for 90 mins daily.
3. And do this for 90 days.

24. Habit stacking

Habit stacking is a term popularised by S.J. Scott. The idea is that it’s easier to incorporate a new habit when you connect it to an already existing habit.

For example, if you are looking to take your daily supplements, you can combine it with another activity you already do such as taking tea or coffee in the morning.

25. Keep it simple.

There is often the temptation to do too many things at once. While you might be interested in trying out a few of these productivity ideas, avoid the temptation of trying to implement them all at once.

It’s better to select a few at a time and keep things simple.

The Habit stacking idea above can also help with this.

Your level of productivity is connected to your level of contribution.

One beautiful thing about increasing our productivity is the positive impact it often has on us and those around us. It usually leads to more wealth and freedom, which are keys to building a life of meaning.

Here’s the thing: the more we produce, the greater the desire to do meaningful work and to leave a legacy.

I hope this post inspires you to do so much more with your life.

All the best!