![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/change.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAnd that put me on a journey of research, self-discovery, and, ultimately, a life-changing obsession with productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I read every book about productivity. I dived deep into how successful people achieve whatever they want in their life. I jotted down every hack I\u2019ve learned along the way and tried for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I made a list of over 100 productivity tips and tricks. I experimented with each of them, crossed off what didn\u2019t work for me, and kept what worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That changed my life forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m now proud to call myself a productive person. I\u2019ve accomplished goals that I\u2019d never thought I could make them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And today, I\u2019ll share with you the 21 most practical tips<\/strong> I\u2019ve learned about productivity. For each tip, I\u2019ll explain why it\u2019s beneficial and how I applied it to myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ready? Let\u2019s jump in.<\/p>\n\n\n[lwptoc title=”Best Productivity Tips”]\n\n\n\n You may already know this: 80% of the income you generate comes from 20% of your customers. Or, 80% of the results you obtain come from 20% of the efforts you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s the Pareto principle or the 80\/20 rule. It holds true for many aspects of life and work. It can benefit your focus and productivity if you know how to use it to your advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While applying the 80\/20 rule, keep in mind that only 20% of your work represents 80% of your results. That means 80% of what you\u2019re doing or will do is terribly inefficient.<\/p>\n\n\n So, to successfully apply the Pareto principle, you need to identify the most important tasks (MITs) to your work and life. In other words, they\u2019re essential to achieving your goals. Without them, you may not make your dream come true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before I share my 3 steps to identify your MITs, here are some best practices you might want to try out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the book Eat That Frog!: 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time<\/a>, self-help guru Brain Tracy shared 3 tips to manage time and boost productivity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first thing is always working from a list. Tracy suggests creating a master list, a monthly list, a weekly list, and a daily list. Then, whenever something new comes up, add it to a specific list before you do it.<\/p>\n\n\n By doing that, you can \u201cincrease your productivity and output by 25% or more from the first day that you begin working consistently from a list,\u201d as Tracy said on his blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get your MITs done before you move on to other tasks on your list. If you put them off too late, you\u2019ll get busy and run out of time to do them. It\u2019s better to get them out of the way, and the rest of your day is gravy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A task and project management tool like Upbase<\/a> is probably all you need. With Upbase, you can create task lists, Kanban boards, set task priorities by colors, and many more. You can use it to manage your personal stuff or work with your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s simple, easy to use, and free.<\/p>\n\n\n You may find a digital calendar enough. But if you\u2019re looking for a comprehensive productivity platform, I recommend you try Upbase<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psst…<\/p>\n\n\n[the_ad id=”3385″]\n\n\n\n Bear in mind that a tool is just a tool. You need to equip yourself with skills to make the tool work as you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve only been planning out my day before night since the beginning of this year. And I want to tell you it\u2019s the best new routine I\u2019ve picked up in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case you don\u2019t know, it\u2019s the Ivy Lee method<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each day, before going into bed, write down the three most important things you want to get done tomorrow. Then, start each day by working on those three things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s why it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you spend 10 to 15 minutes before sleep to meditate on and write down the things you want to accomplish tomorrow, you send a request to your subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your subconscious never rests<\/a>. It controls your heartbeat, blood circulation, digestion, and all the vital processes and functions of your body. It also knows the answers to all of your problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hence, what happens on your subconscious level influences what happens on your conscious level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you plan your day the night before, your subconscious will get to work on those things while you sleep. Eventually, what goes on unconsciously becomes your reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Napoleon Hill states, \u201cThe subconscious mind will translate into its physical equivalent, by the most direct and practical method available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n If you don\u2019t plan your days the night before, you\u2019ll waste your willpower deciding which tasks need to be prioritized. You end up losing 30 minutes or 1 hour instead of just a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even worse, you\u2019ll choose the easiest tasks to start your day, like checking emails, which will reduce your productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our tendency to make poor decisions is called decision fatigue, coined by social psychologist Roy Baumeister. In a groundbreaking 2005 paper<\/a>, he wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to plan your tomorrow tonight. When you do this, there\u2019s no guesswork about what you\u2019ll be doing when you sit down to work in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 3 steps to help you do that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1: Write down your most important goals you currently have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Write down all the tasks that help you reach your desired outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Ask yourself, \u201cIf I could only do one thing on this list today, which one thing would it be?\u201d. Repeat this question two more times, and you\u2019ll identify the other two most important tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n If you have a hard time identifying your MITs, just look at the tasks you have been putting it off for too long. In my experiences, there’s a good chance that they are your MITs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I personally hate all types of notifications. SMS, Skype, Facebook Messengers, Apple updates, Windows, you name it. I disable all notifications on my phone and desktop.<\/p>\n\n\n My friends asked me, \u201cWhat if you miss an urgent call or message? What if your parents call you? What if something happens?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of \u201cwhat ifs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the truth is I haven\u2019t missed anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of people blame it on fear of missing out. They need notifications or to be active on social media because they want to be involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But whatever reasons you have, you can\u2019t deny that notifications and all other types of distractions stop you in your tracks and hurt your productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a study<\/a>, three researchers at Florida State University found that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c[…] mobile phones can disrupt attention performance even if one does not interact with the device, […] As mobile phones become integrated into more and more tasks, it may become increasingly difficult for people to set their phones aside and concentrate fully on the task at hand, whatever it may be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another thing you probably wouldn\u2019t have guessed: \u201c[…] unless your phone is fully silenced or off, it\u2019s probably still distracting you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, as long as your phone is next to you, and you know there is some sweet cellular action happening, your productivity isn\u2019t protected.<\/p>\n\n\n And notifications aren\u2019t all that distracting. Social media, newspapers, YouTube, Netflix\u2014They all are your productivity\u2019s enemy and make you suffer from \u201cdistraction syndrome<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how can you cure this syndrome? Here\u2019s what works for me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distractions are the number one enemy of productivity. When you eliminate them, your productivity will boost through the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most common lessons I\u2019ve learned when searching for productivity tips is to stop multitasking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I stopped doing that when I knew it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s see what I found:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alright, that\u2019s enough. I don\u2019t want to overwhelm you with more data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing to remember: Stop multitasking. Instead, do a single task at a time. <\/p>\n\n\n I love how Leo Babauta<\/a>, blogger at Zen Habits, does to avoid multi-tasking. I tried to apply for myself, and they work really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For years, I tried to be a perfectionist. I was always afraid of something going wrong, so I waited, waited, and waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2018I\u2019m not talented. I\u2019m not ready. I don\u2019t have enough money. I don\u2019t have any contact. What if I start now and fail? What if nobody will help me. Now isn\u2019t the right time. I\u2019ll start when I have more money, time, experience, and resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n These thoughts were big excuses that stopped me from making changes.<\/p>\n\n\n Let me get this straight: If I didn’t make my decision to stop waiting, I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n And best of all: forming many healthy habits that I thought I would never succeed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a study on perfectionism and productivity<\/a>, Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychology professor at Dalhousie University, found increased perfectionism is correlated with decreased productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some problems associated with being a perfectionist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfectionism is the enemy of your productivity. Don\u2019t fall into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your workspace, no matter if it’s in the office or in your home, must be a place that inspires you to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself tired or discouraged from sitting in front of your computer, you need to check your desk right now.<\/p>\n\n\n For me, I\u2019d like to keep my workspace as simple and organized as possible. A clean workspace helps me better focus on the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a survey from the Brothers International Corporation<\/a>, \u201c87% of office workers say when their workspace is disorganized, they feel they are less productive than when their workspace is organized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever I declutter my desk, I apply the KonMari method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case you don\u2019t know: The KonMari method is created by Mario Kondo, tidying expert and author of the best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The KonMari method includes six basic rules of tidying<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When tidying my desk, I follow the KonMari method by asking myself if a thing brings me joy. If it does, I keep it. Otherwise, I give it to others or put it in trash if it\u2019s no longer of use.<\/p>\n\n\n Besides my desk, I clean up my computer. I turn off or trash all unnecessary desktop icons, so I\u2019ve got a clutter-free desktop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re working in a mess, there isn\u2019t much to focus on. You\u2019ll end up sifting through papers and boxes to find what you\u2019re looking for and waste valuable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t to say your workspace needs to be clean all the time, but if you find that the clutter is distracting you, it might be time to tidy up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Journaling is a key morning routine habit of many highly successful people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Journaling was always something that I wanted to do regularly. But I couldn\u2019t make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this year has been different. I started a journal on January 01, 2020, and have an entry for just about every day since then\u2014nearly 10 months might not seem like a lot to many people, but it\u2019s about six times what I\u2019ve ever done before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I journal both in the morning for about 5-10 minutes per session, but the return of investment is incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To improve my productivity with journaling, I don\u2019t simply write down my thoughts. I also write down my big goals every single day before I start working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By doing this, I\u2019m reminded of what I\u2019m working towards on a daily basis. It serves as fuel for my motivation and inspiration to stop procrastinating and take massive action instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also maintain a daily gratitude journal to keep myself less stressed and happier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the start of the day, I jot down 3 things that I\u2019m grateful for. They can be my recent achievements or anything that makes me feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n Imagine you can leave your house with a smiling face and full of positive energy. If you want to get this feeling, start journaling your gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes I also write down the lessons I\u2019ve learned from my failure or mistakes. Where did things go wrong? How can I do better next time? Should I seek help from others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This way, I can avoid making the same mistakes and realize what I need to improve to accomplish my goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I know some people don\u2019t have time to write in the morning or even in the evening. If you can\u2019t make it early in the day, choose any time in the day that works for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may have heard of the Pomodoro technique<\/a>. But if you haven\u2019t, it\u2019s a time management method using specifically timed intervals. Each interval, also called a pomodoro (meaning tomato in Italy), lasts 25 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During each pomodoro, you pay attention to working on one task. Once the time is up, you move on to another. After a few pomodoros, you\u2019re allowed to take a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I didn\u2019t know this technique until I read the book Deep Work by Cal Newport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dozen friends recommended it to me. But thinking it might be like other productivity books, so I didn\u2019t check it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, a bad day came, and I decided to read Deep Work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In three words: It\u2019s INCREDIBLE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It transforms the way I approach work. It makes me think about how I am using my time. Every time I re-read the book, I learn something valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n According to Newport, deep work requires long uninterrupted periods. It\u2019s \u201ca state of distraction-free concentration that pushes your cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to replicate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about doing research, writing a book, or developing a strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, shallow work is low attention, full of distraction, and easy to replicate. Meetings, emails, or social media are great examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get into your deep work by applying the Pomodoro technique, here are a few things you need to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can combine this technique with timeboxing to enhance your focus and time management. There are many great timeboxing apps<\/a> out there to get you started more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2-minute rule comes from David Allen, who brought the Getting Things Dones (GTD) method to the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two parts of the 2-minute rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First,<\/em> if you can do something in less than two minutes, do it now.<\/p>\n\n\n Think about washing your dishes, tossing clothes into the washing machine, or taking out the garbage. You can get them done in two minutes or less, but you decide to procrastinate because you think you can do it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This applies to many other things: mail, paperwork, phone calls, requests from others. Follow the rules and deal with them right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If something takes too long, then put it on a to-do list\u2014but avoid this if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, <\/em>when you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n James Clear explains this best:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever I build a new habit, I apply the two-minute rule. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2-minute rule isn\u2019t about the results you want to achieve. Instead, it forces you to focus on the process of actually doing the work.<\/p>\n\n\n All you need to do is get started, taking action, and let things flow from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2-minute rule works for me, and I believe it\u2019ll work for you too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may know The 5 Second Rule<\/a>, an inspirational book and life mode written by Mel Robbins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t know Mel Robbins, she is one of the world\u2019s most requested speakers and one of the most popular on-air commentators for CNN. Her TEDx Talk<\/a> has been viewed over 29 million times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>1. Write down the 3 most important tasks (MITs) every day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cNothing is less productive than to make more efficient what should not be done at all.\u201d – Peter Drucker<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Pareto-principle.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFirst, always work from the list<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/to-do-list.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSecond, always make priorities and work on your MITs first<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Third, use a tool<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Upbase_schedule.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFourth, plan your day the night before<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/productivity-tips-plan-your-day-the-night-before.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>\u201cThe process of choosing may itself drain some of the self\u2019s precious resources, thereby leaving the executive function less capable of carrying out its other activities. Decision fatigue can therefore impair self-regulation.\u201d<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
How to identify your MITs?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/MITs-Most-important-tasks.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>2. Eliminate distractions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cYour time keeps flying away into vanity while you dine with your distractions. Your life keeps diminishing while you waste your time feeding your distractions.\u201d\u2014Sunday Adelaja<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/productivity-hacks-eliminate-distraction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/no-more-distractions.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>3. Stop multitasking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cWhat looks like multitasking is really switching back and forth between multiple tasks, which reduces productivity and increases mistakes by up to 50 percent.\u201d\u2014Susan Cain<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/multitasking-at-work-1.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/focus-do-one-thing-at-a-time.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>4. Stop being a perfectionist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cPerfectionism and procrastination have such a fine line. You say, ‘Well, I want it to be good. I want it to be perfect.’ But what you’re really doing is not doing your work. You’re putting off showing up and being visible because then you’re going to be judged, and it might suck.\u201d\u2014Jen Sincero<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dont-wait.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201c[\u2026] perfectionism trips up professors on the way to research productivity. The more perfectionistic the professor, the less productive they are.\u201d<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/a>5. \u201cKonMari\u201d your workspace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cFor every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.\u201d\u2014Anonymous<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/messy-desk.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Clean-desk.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>6. Journaling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cI can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.\u201d\u2014Anne Frank<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/word-image-134.png\")
Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/gratitude-journal-habit.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>7. Deep work with the Pomodoro method<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201c[\u2026] Evolutionary biology. The human brain can\u2019t focus on a single task for long periods. Our brains are meant to ensure our survival. To protect us from looming threats the brain is in a constant state of alertness. So focusing on one thing for a long time is hard for your brain.\u201d\u2014Darius Foroux<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Deep-work-with-the-Pomodoro-method.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Deep-work.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>8. The two-minute rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u201cIf it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.\u201d\u2014David Allen<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/2-minute-rule.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>\u201cThe idea is to make your habits as easy as possible to start. Anyone can meditate for one minute, read one page, or put one item of clothing away. [\u2026] This is a powerful strategy because once you\u2019ve started doing the right thing, it is much easier to continue doing it. A new habit should not feel like a challenge. The actions that follow can be challenging, but the first two minutes should be easy.\u201d<\/h3><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/upbase.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Start-Small-But-Start.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a>9. The 5-second rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>If you have an impulse to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill the idea.\u2014Mel Robbins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n