The Go-To Hub For Productivity Methods
Choose the right productivity method to organize your goals and take more action.
Productivity methods: a synopsis
Big or small, altruistic or a bit materialistic, we all have dreams and goals. Yet when it comes to achieving them, choosing the right productivity method can literally make or... break you.
But what are these productivity methods? They are tried and tested techniques that help you do more of the things that matter to you, on a consistent basis. That’s true productivity, which can only be nurtured by a system that works on all levels, manages several inputs on a daily basis, and saves you a lot more time and energy than it takes to maintain it.
How to choose the right productivity method for you?
Not all productivity methods are created equal. Some might be more fit for multitaskers who’re used to juggle between multiple projects, some are straightforward frameworks for storing and retrieving data, while others work like horse eye patches for single-minded focus.
We’ve spared you some time and brought the most essential productivity methods and techniques in a single place. Before jumping to them, here are a few things to consider:
- Focus on action and getting things done. As one famous productivity teacher put it, seek action not motion. Sure, every productivity method might take a while to set up. However, if it takes too much time to maintain it in the long run, then it’s probably not for you. Don’t worry though, there are plenty you can try and see if they’re a good fit.
- Don’t be afraid to outgrow a productivity method. You might have started with a method and relied on it for a few years. However, if it doesn’t serve you anymore due to changes in the nature of your job or you no longer see it fit for your lifestyle, then by all means try another one that makes your life easier.
- Personalization. Personalization. Personalization. Some people invent a productivity method. Others pick it, tweak it here and there, and make it truly theirs. There’s nothing wrong with this. On the contrary, this is when you unlock a method’s full potential, by adapting it to your own workflow.
Productivity Methods
6 min. readEat the Frog
Having a hard time starting your day? Beat procrastination by eating the frog - the hardest task on your to-do list - first thing in the morning and make meaningful progress towards your goals.
14 min. readGetting Things Done (GTD)
Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them. Capture - Clarify - Organize - Reflect - Engage. Use this 5-step method to deal with your wandering thoughts and tasks in a relaxed, yet controlled manner.
11 min. readPomodoro Technique
To stay focused, work with time, not against it. Divide tasks into chunks of 25 minutes, then reward yourself with a 5 minute break. This will keep your creative juices flowing, without relying on will power alone.
9 min. readEisenhower Matrix
Endless to-do lists scare us all for a good reason: you never know what to tackle next! Declutter your to-do list and prioritize what’s urgent and what’s important just like General Dwight D. Eisenhower would.
11 min. readKanban Board
Projects get messy if you don’t know how tasks are progressing. Follow the status of each task on a visual board, from start to finish. Spot bottlenecks early on and manage remote teams more visually.
9 min. readThe OKR Methodology
Discard wishful thinking and make significant progress towards your goals. Use the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) methodology both in your professional and personal life to nail goals methodically.