Work Smarter Not Harder: 4 Productivity Hacks I Can’t Live Without

There are various issues I’m good at in life—making a imply rendition of Gigi Hadid’s vodka pasta, figuring out each single phrase of Taylor Swift’s newest album, housing 15 pizza rolls in a single sitting, and being self-aware (to call a number of). But when there’s one factor that’s by no means been my robust go well with, it’s staying on observe. Due to this humbling reality—and the truth that I’m a “sure” one who has approach too many issues on her plate directly—I’ve an arsenal of productiveness hacks to assist me keep centered each work day.

Amongst buzzing notifications, erratically-placed conferences, and the sound of the 1-800-EMPIRE theme track taking part in in my head always, I’ve tried a variety of techniques over the previous few years in an effort to get issues finished. Listed below are the 4 productiveness hacks I lean on day-after-day to maintain me from completely shedding my marbles:

1. Managing my process checklist with Evernote

I wish to categorize my life into two eras: B.E. (earlier than Evernote) and A.E. (after Evernote). I first downloaded Evernote earlier this yr as a result of I used to be determined to discover a system to assist me keep on process in all areas of my life. On the time, I had three jobs: a nurse in an emergency division, a Branded Content material Editor right here at The Everygirl, and a Z-list content material creator on TikTok, which took up extra time than I’d wish to admit. I used to be struggling to fulfill deadlines and to have any form of grasp on my life.

I had heard of Evernote within the context of note-taking, however as soon as I found all that Evernote really has to supply, I used to be offered. Now, I exploit Evernote to deal with all the issues that I want to recollect. It permits me to deal with any mission with my notes, duties, and schedule multi function place. It’s the to-do checklist of my goals. With Evernote, I assign duties inside my notes with due dates, flags, and reminders, so nothing falls by the cracks. Whereas I’m working, I exploit the desktop model to seamlessly combine it with my workday. Once I’m out and about, I exploit the cell model, so I at all times have my finger on the heartbeat of my obligations. In case you’re in search of a administration system that will help you to make sense of your schedule, look no additional. Evernote has your again.

2. Getting into Focus mode on my iPhone

I’m normally not an enormous fan of iPhone updates, principally as a result of I can’t sustain with their frequency and since I’m a creature of behavior. However, I’ve by no means put my foot in my mouth as rapidly as I did when iOS 15 launched Focus mode. Earlier than then, I by no means hopped on to the Do Not Disturb practice as a result of I used to be certain to my notifications. I felt like if I missed one, my world would collapse.

Now, I exploit Focus to arrange completely different permissions for apps, contacts, and extra. I’ve separate duties for after I’m at work, after I’m exercising, and after I’m seeking to wind down at house. This manner, I can management who has entry to me and when. I can reduce the fixed notifications that steal my consideration, permitting me to enter a extra productive stream throughout work hours.

3. Make the most of the 3-2-1 productiveness rule

I came upon concerning the 3-2-1 productiveness rule, the place I discover out about most issues in life. TikTok, I like your work. When it got here throughout my For You Web page, I about misplaced my thoughts. It’s so easy and has actually modified the sport for me. Primarily, the 3-2-1 productiveness rule is a prioritization methodology to assist carry readability and steerage to your day.

First, I begin with the three most necessary issues I need to obtain throughout a given day. For me at present, that’s penning this draft, prepping for and interviewing a possible candidate, and scheduling a brand new marketing campaign. Based mostly on my conferences and day by day schedule, I then prioritize which of these is probably the most urgent to finish. I observe this with which process must occur second after which third. Subsequent, I write down two additional duties—sometimes decrease precedence and fewer taxing—that I’d like to finish if I’ve time. After that, I write down one process to reward myself or to assist me unwind on the finish of the day. Penning this down on paper earlier than I leap into my duties helps me maintain my schedule practical. It helps me to see the large image as a substitute of getting slowed down by these additional duties which can be much less urgent.

4. Monotask in accordance with my power ranges

Getting a chook’s eye view of my schedule, controlling my notifications, and approaching my work day with a plan lastly made monotasking possible for me. I was the most important task-switching offender of all time, which burned a variety of power and made getting into a workflow close to unattainable.

One other factor about me? I’m not a morning particular person. Regardless of full nights of sleep and a number of cups of espresso, I’m fairly sluggish till later afternoon, after I lastly hit the bottom operating and enter my most efficient hours. For me, because of this I batch my conferences in the course of the morning. (Participating in dialog retains my sluggish mind awake.) I plan my most necessary duties between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. And I reserve the final hour of my day for these lower-importance, additional duties like reviewing my calendar for the subsequent day, catching up on emails, and responding to Slack messages. Discovering a approach to monotask with my power ranges has helped me faucet in after I’m most efficient.

This submit is sponsored by Evernote, however all the opinions inside are these of The Everygirl editorial board.