5 Productivity Hacks (But Like, For Real)
This article is not going in the direction you might have already assumed based on the title.
I promise I will not give you unhinged tech start-up CEO advice.
“BRO. IT’S LIKE SO SIMPLE. JUST WAKE UP AT 3 AM. DO YOUR DEEPLY CLEANSING BREATHING EXERCISES AND MEDITATE. HIT THE GYM. COLD SHOWER. TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS AND FIND INNER PEACE, ALL BEFORE THE SUN IS UP. RISE AND GRIND LETSSSS GOOOOO AHHHHHHGGGHHHEJBEHJNWXBWHJXWM”
Um… yeah… no thank you 😬😬😬😬😬😬😬
This is not your average tech bro’s productivity advice
Productivity hacks are everywhere these days,
But in my opinion, most of them are either super general and not helpful, or a list of unhinged activities pulled straight out of a frat bro’s nightmare morning routine.
As freelancers and entrepreneurs, we all approach our work process in different and unique ways,
So, what works for me may not be the best fit for you.
But, if you have been struggling to hit your deadlines, have been feeling less-than-motivated, or are not getting through your list of tasks as well as you would like (we have all been there),
Here is my list of personal productivity hacks I use to keep myself and my business on track:
I push deadlines forward in my head
OK, I know this one is weird, but hear me out.
Let’s say that I have an article due on Friday. For most people, they would view Friday as the deadline to submit the work — but in my mind, it’s always a few days earlier.
Since the beginning of my freelancing career, I have always tried to be the type of freelancer that I would want to work with if I were a client
(And for me, I love, love, LOVE receiving work ahead of schedule).
So, to achieve this goal, I started bumping deadlines ahead in my head.
A Friday article is actually due on Wednesday. A new web copy project due on Wednesday is actually due on Monday.
Listen, I am not saying that this level of self-imposed delusion will work for everyone — but, for me, I have genuinely found that when it comes to hitting deadlines,
✨Delulu is always the solulu✨
Give this technique a try next time you have a project with a far enough away deadline — you may just find that it helps you stay on track!
I know when to close my door
I know this sounds quite simple and basic, but for anyone who works from home, being able to close off any distractions is a huge productivity win.
For me, I like to break my daily working tasks into two categories:
Open door work (AKA projects that I don’t mind being interrupted from by my partner, the doorbell, or my constant need to make a new cup of tea)
Closed door work (AKA projects that require focused, intense attention that I want to crush through in one work session)
It’s not always doable (especially for those with children or pets), but I encourage you to set aside some work time that is specifically to be done behind a closed door.
You might just surprise yourself with how well it works!
I count my personal work as a client
For me, one of the easiest projects for me to procrastinate and push off are pieces that I create specifically for myself
(This blog and my LinkedIn posts are prime examples)
Basically, without the financial and client-based pressure to get it done, it is easy for me to blow this work off until later, which eventually leads me to panic writing the content that is meant to represent me and my brand.
Not the greatest plan.
So, to combat this, I have started to treat my business as if they are one of my clients,
Meaning I set aside time in my work day for these projects, and record my time using my work tracking app like I do for all other clients.
Honestly, as silly as it may sound, this change has helped me a lot,
And since I made the switch, I honestly think the quality of my content has increased (and the stress I feel while making it has gone down).
I use a whiteboard to check off small victories
Since the day I was born, there have been two true fundamental truths about who I am as a person:
The scent and taste of balsamic vinegar makes me gag
I need to make and use checklists every day to function
Using a whiteboard for my checklists has been an absolute game changer, as it lets me write, erase, and adjust my daily schedule on the go with ease.
Go buy yourself a small whiteboard and put it next to you at your desk. It’s an excellent tool for staying on track!
I have two “Oh Shit” songs
Finally, despite our best efforts, projects will always get away from us for one reason or another.
When this happens, we need to be prepared to bare down and focus — and for me, the only way I can enter into the required trance-like state is by listening to insanely loud, aggressive music.
If you are on the lookout for two of the most violent, chaotic songs ever to crush out work to, I highly recommend the musical styling of these sick beats:
These songs are loud and violent, and I love them so much. I highly encourage you to use their power to fuel your work and get things done.
Productivity hacks don’t have to be toxic
So yeah, these are my 5 top productivity hacks for getting stuff done.
Do you have any non-cringe productivity hacks? Let me know about them with a reply — I truly love hearing from all of you!