10 Simple Things You Can Do to Become a More Productive Person

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Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of never-ending tasks and yet barely crossing anything off your to-do list? 

Well, becoming super-productive isn’t really about following many complex rules and methods, as you might think. It’s all about mastering some simple strategies that will increase your efficiency so you can achieve your goals. 

In this guide, you’ll learn about 10 simple things you can do to instantly become a more productive person.

1. Wake up early

You must have heard that early birds get the worm. The statement reinforces that starting a task early increases your chances of being successful at it.

So, even if you’re a night owl, waking up a little bit (say an hour) earlier than usual can give you a head start on your to-do list and set the tone for a productive day. 

Waking up early gives you uninterrupted time to tackle the most important tasks on your list before the morning chaos sets in. 

2. Start your day with a productivity trigger

On some days, you wake up and hit the ground running, while on other days, you have no motivation to do anything—barely able to lift a finger and wanting nothing more than to remain in your soft, cozy bed.

That’s why you should make it a habit to always start your day with a productivity trigger.

This basically refers to any activity that pumps up your adrenaline level and leaves you feeling energetic and motivated to work. This can be a quick morning workout, a run down the street lane, dancing to your favorite pump-up playlist, or some meditative yoga. 

3. Keep your to-do list small 

Creating a daily task list keeps you focused on “what you should be doing.” But what do you do when your list is the exact reason you can’t get anything done?

Sometimes, the to-do list is overwhelmingly long. That’s why you become discouraged to even start and panic every hour that you don’t cross any tasks off. 

I know that you have many goals to achieve, but keep your daily task list small. Focus on tasks that truly matter. Don’t create an endless list that overwhelms you so much that you become unproductive.

4. Systematize your processes

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel every time you do a task when you can create systems—think: templates, routines, and automation—that streamline your workflows.

This can be as simple as creating a daily routine for repetitive tasks, having a swipe folder you can fall back on, creating email templates for your inquiries, setting up automation to onboard new clients, and more.

Find ways to work smarter, not harder by simplifying your processes with tools and apps. That’s how you become more productive.

5. Use the 1% rule

If there’s one thing you’ll learn from the book, Atomic Habits, it’s the concept of continuous improvement. And that’s because becoming productive or successful at anything requires long-term thinking and planning. 

The 1% rule states that you should strive to be one percent better at what you do each day. Just be better than you were yesterday, and over time, you will make significant progress.

Small, consistent efforts can lead to big results over years and decades. So commit to making productive progress every single day, and watch as your efforts compound into success.

6. Categorize your goals by priority

Have you ever completed a task, only to think deeply and realize you wouldn’t even need it in the next three months? 

And there’s your high-priority task looking more urgent than ever as you’ve spent your deadline grace period working on a low-priority task.

You should start grouping your tasks by priority level. It will instantly make you more productive.

Depending on your mapped-out goals for the year, ask yourself these questions (in this order) before working on any tasks: 

• Is this relevant?
• Is it important?
• Is it urgent?

Then, focus your energy on tackling the most urgent and important tasks first.

7. Try the 2-hour productivity sprint

This 2-hour focus sprint is a productivity strategy that has been working for me for the last three years.

I wake up during my most productive hours, usually between 6:30 and 8:30 am. Get in work mode, turn on DND, set a timer for 2 hours straight, and commit to the big tasks on my list.

As simple as it sounds, it’s super-effective, and I complete at least 80% of my daily tasks in just these two hours.  

8. Do one thing at a time

Multitasking is overrated and very distracting. The human brain isn’t designed to handle so many tasks at once.

In fact, juggling multiple tasks at once can decrease productivity and increase stress levels because your brain is constantly switching gears—trying to understand a new task while refocusing on the original one.

Instead of multitasking, focus on doing one thing at a time. Give each task your undivided attention until it’s completed. You will become more productive, and your brain will thank you for it.

9. Keep your workspace organized

As the popular saying goes, a clean space is a clear mind—and when you have clarity, productivity becomes your reality. 

Every day, before you start working, clean and organize your workspace. Clear out whatever piles and clutter there are. 

You can get a Credenza desk, build a workspace shelf, or get organizers to create enough room for storage. This way, you can find what you need quicker while staying productive. 

10. Tune out distractions

If you have a neighbor who won’t stop banging on your door every 3 hours to gist you about the latest shocking news on CNN, or maybe it’s you who keeps working from your couch—with an eye on your lappie and the other on the latest Netflix series… Then, you need to do this:

Start making intentional efforts to tune out distractions. 

This is how you stay productive, especially when you work from home. 

That could look like: No aimless scrolling on Instagram during work hours. No Netflix while working. No more gisting with the neighbor during a work week. 

Create a distraction-free zone by setting boundaries and learning self-discipline.

Become a more productive person

To become productive, you don’t need to equip yourself with more complex strategies, because it’s not about “working harder.” 

Instead, you should adopt what works for you from this list of 10 simple productivity strategies. By doing this, you’ll make the most of your time and boost your efficiency level by working smarter.