3 Productivity Hacks That Will Work For Most

We all need some productivity hacks to stay on track. Most of us have some productivity rules that we knowingly or unknowingly follow.

Our methods depend on our lifestyle and requirements. For example, time blocking and setting strict deadlines can help those who procrastinate. However, time blocking may not be practical in all situations. Similarly, some may work well in a 30-minute Pomodoro session, while others may prefer a 60-minute session in one go.

Every productivity hack may or may not be everyone’s cup of tea. What works for you may not work for me, and vice versa. Therefore, personalising our methods based on our needs is the ideal way.

But are there any hacks most of us can benefit from?

Here are 3 super-effective productivity hacks that will work for most people. If you don’t know where to start with personal growth, start with these 3 things.

3 Simple And Basic Productivity Hacks That Will Work For Most

1. Connect To The Internet Only When Needed

Let’s admit it: our devices can be a problem. A big one, in fact, when it comes to productivity.

We are blessed to have the kind of connectivity we have around now. The problem is, we are always online. We are addicted to our devices.

Even when not using our phones, we are still bombarded with notifications of unimportant things. This makes our devices a core source of distractions today.

I realise many of us may need the internet for work or studies. So, here is what you can do about it.

Turn the notifications off for all apps permanently — except for work-related apps like email. If there is an emergency, people will call you and NOT DM you on Instagram. You can see the notifications when you log in. Trust me, you’re not missing anything! Your life is not happening on social media.
If you are addicted to social media, delete the apps you can use on a computer or a laptop. Even if you only own a phone, access social media via the web browser. Apps are designed to keep you scrolling, to make you spend a lot of time on them. That is how they make money — by killing your time.
Use features like focus or something similar that lock your phone/devices for a set amount of time. You can use this feature when you are working.
Do not have your phone around you while you study. Or switch it off.

The goal is to stop the buzzing of unimportant notifications. They are the biggest distraction today.

2. Do Not Overcommit

The reason for this is simple:

If you want to do something well, you will have to dedicate significant time to it. If you overcommit, it will be difficult for you to deliver good-quality work.
To fulfil the demands of your commitments, you will have to overwork, which in the long term will lead to burnout. Burnout sucks! And it often requires a long time to bounce back from it.

So, do not overcommit. Push the unimportant things out of your to-do list. Try to have no more than 1–3 important tasks each day. I am talking about major commitments — work, personal, family-related — that you cannot miss out on for anything.

If on most days you have a long list of commitments that require a lot of time and energy, you are doing too much. Consider asking for help if things are overwhelming you. At your workplace, be honest and say no to others pushing their workload on you.

There is no point in signing up for too many things, losing interest in your work, underperforming, and eventually burning out. If it feels like a burden, you are doing too much.

Commit to less, plan ahead, know your limits, and ask for help.

3. Have A Good Night's Sleep Each Night

Yes, I consider sleep a productivity hack because you can never be productive without proper rest.

Your body needs rest to function well. Nothing in this world can replace a good night’s sleep. No pill, no hack.

Improper sleep leads to increased daytime sleepiness, which affects our output. Other than this, there are major cognitive consequences associated with sleep deprivation. Our executive function, ability to sustain attention and focus, learning abilities, and long-term memory are negatively affected when we do not sleep well.

Additionally, increased anxiety, reduced motivation, and mood disturbances are also effects of sleep deprivation.

Some of these issues manifest with just one night of improper sleep.

The bottom line is that you can never be productive without proper sleep.

FYI, the long-term effects of sleep deprivation are even more morbid. Chronic sleep deprivation leads to obesity, diabetes, heart and vascular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and even early mortality.

So, sleep well to enhance your output in life (and to preserve your health).

So, What To Remember?

Focus on the basics. Take care of yourself to deliver well in life.

You will have to practice self-control when it comes to the obsession with the internet, and learn how to say no and recognise what is important and what’s not. Lastly, you will need to treat sleep as a necessity.

If you focus on these three aspects, your productivity will naturally increase.

-Featured image: Carl Heyerdahl on Unsplash