Being your most productive self is never as easy as it sounds. Even with the very best of intentions at heart to tick off everything on your to-do list, it sometimes just doesn’t go to plan, and that’s okay! But, if you’re feeling galvanised to kickstart your productivity and be the most organised and efficient you can be, we’re here to help! We’ve found some of the best productivity methods to help rid you of distractions and get into the zone…

Our 10 favourite productivity methods to boost your focus

1. ‘Eat the frog’ 

Try this if: You can’t decide which project to tackle first.

Don’t worry, we’re not going to tell you to go hunting down the bottom of the garden for any amphibians. This oddly-named productivity method is all about doing the most difficult task, or the one you are most likely to procrastinate on, first. Whilst that may seem counterintuitive at first, it actually makes sense the more you think about it! All of your other tasks will seem like a breeze once the trickiest one is out of the way, feeling like a weight is lifted for the rest of the day. 

As book lovers, we loved finding out that the concept is often attributed to Mark Twain, with the quote: ‘If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first’. We can’t argue with that! Whether he actually said that or not is disputed, but nowadays the real productivity method is widely taught by public speaker Brian Tracy – he even wrote a book about it! 

So if you’re trying to pick between two super important tasks, go ahead and swallow all of the frogs (but no actual frogs, please). It will become much quicker to get the second one done once the first more daunting thing is complete!

2. Split your time using the Pomodoro technique

Try this if: You’re struggling to stay focused.

Next up on our list of the best productivity methods is the Pomodoro technique – and no, this one has nothing to do with tomatoes. We’re not sure where they get these names either! The Pomodoro technique involves working in 30 minute blocks. Set a timer, work for 25 minutes, then take a 5 minute break. Step away from your computer, make a cup of tea, or scroll on social media – just take some time away from your screen to almost switch off. Once those 5 minutes are up, get back to the task at hand. 

There are two ways we have found best for utilising this technique. There’s the traditional way, using a timer like the one on your phone. Our founder Martha even has a special Pomodoro egg timer that runs for exactly 25 minutes! Alternatively, there are lots of smartphone apps that will split the time for you, and you can even keep track of how productive you are across the days, weeks, and months. We really like Be Focused but there are lots to choose from, so find the one that works for you!

3. Write it down.

Try this if: You need help keeping track of your upcoming tasks.

As a stationery brand, it will come as no surprise that one of our favourite productivity methods is writing things down! But did you know that putting things onto paper is not only a great way to stay organised, but can actually help with your focus and motivation, too?

There is something that switches in your brain when you take the time to write down the task you need to do. It is like you are holding yourself accountable and saying ‘yes, I will get this done’. Isn’t stationery just magic sometimes?

Day-to-day, we love using a desk pad to help us to see what we need to get done immediately, and plan out our time accordingly. For the bigger picture, our Life Planners to keep track of any ongoing tasks and upcoming events, as well as the big life goals.

The most important thing when it comes to writing down your tasks is that it is done in a way that suits your brain. There is no one-size-fits-all! It may take a little bit of trial and error, but you will soon find the thing that makes you feel empowered and organised to tackle your to-dos!

4. Break down big goals into smaller, actionable tasks

Try this if: You have lots of bigger projects that seem overwhelming.

We’ve all been there – your to-do list doesn’t look that intimidating until you sit down to do the first task and realise that it is going to take you hours, and you don’t even know where to begin. 

For example, if you had on your to-do list to ‘clean house’, that is a mammoth task that involves a lot of smaller steps. It is going to take you a long time, and then you won’t get the satisfaction of adding a little ‘tick!’ next to that task for ages. However, break it down into ‘dust desk’, ‘wash dishes’ and ‘do one load of laundry’, and before you know it, you’ll have a spotless house and a whole to-do list ticked off. Super satisfying!

Next time you feel overwhelmed at the thought of starting a big project, think about how you can break it down into smaller goals instead that can help you move towards finishing your project. This is one of our favourite productivity methods because it motivates you to tick off those smaller tasks and it gives you a clearer pathway to completing your project!

5. List tasks in order of priority

Try this if: You have a long to-do list with lots of deadlines.

A great productivity tip is to avoid multitasking and focus on one task at a time. Now we know this one might get a little heat as some people work at their best whilst multitasking, however, generally speaking, multitasking isn’t productive for your…productivity! 

But where do you start? One of the best productivity methods to utilise if you have lots of things with a similar deadline is to give them a priority rating. This could look like re-writing your to-do list with the most important tasks at the top, or colour-coding your tasks and making sure the urgent ‘red’ ones are completed first. By focusing on the one task at hand, you can fully immerse yourself, tick it off the list and move on to the next!

Our Productive Daily Planner Desk Pad is the perfect match for this productivity tip, as it has a dedicated section for prioritised tasks, so you can see at-a-glance the things you need to work on first. It is very satisfying to work through them and get them all ticked off by the end of the day!

6. Set time limits on tasks you want to get done

Try this if: You have lots of small tasks you have been procrastinating.

This one is a little similar to the Pomodoro method but works best if you have lots of smaller tasks, rather than working on one big project. It is also a great tip if you’re a procrastinator – so listen up if you have some to-dos you have been avoiding! 

For each task on your to-do list, set yourself a realistic time limit, but one that is going to challenge you enough to stay focussed and get the task done efficiently. Set a timer on your phone, and try to get it done before the alarm goes off at the end. This one works really well if paired with our next productivity method, so it is worth sticking around and reading on to see how you can use them together to become your most productive self!

7. Create a reward system

Try this if: You need motivation to get something done ASAP.

Remember those sticker charts you had when you were little? Why did we ever stop using those as adults? Giving yourself a small reward for a task, whether that’s a sticker, a scroll on Instagram, or a cup of tea, can help motivate you to get it done. 

There is science behind it that many child psychologists advocate for today, but the fun doesn’t have to stop when you’re an adult! Some of the most important steps, says Amy Przeworski of Psychology Today, is to ‘identify the reward ahead of time’ so you know what you’re working towards, and to ‘be consistent’. If you have a consistent way of rewarding yourself for the tasks you are completing, you’ll be more likely to want to complete tasks in the future. Sounds like a game-changer to us!

Next time you are struggling for motivation, pop down to your local stationery shop for some gold stars and see how quickly you can complete your to-do list. 

8. Identify your distractions 

Try this if: You struggle to stay on-task.

We live in a world filled with distractions! It’s super easy to get absorbed by the hubbub of our surroundings, especially when faced with a task you’ve been putting off. If you’re desperate to buckle down and have a productive afternoon, identifying what distracts you and avoiding that distraction is key.

If your phone notifications distract you, turn your phone on Do Not Disturb so you can have a power hour, or hand it to a friend or partner. If it’s your surroundings you find distracting, head out to a café and plug your headphones in. By identifying your distractions, you can come up with tangible ways to remedy it so you can well and truly get into the zone.  

9. Clear your workspace

Try this if: You’re feeling overwhelmed.

We are firm believers that your workspace can make or break your mood, and your productivity. One of the simplest productivity methods to implement without even realising you’re doing it, is creating an inviting place to work in, that helps you to feel calm and motivated to achieve your goals.

Maybe you have a favourite quote that spurs you on when the to-do list feels never-ending? Pop it in a photo holder on your desk for when things get overwhelming. Incorporate your favourite colours (no prizes for guessing ours!) and make your desk somewhere you enjoy going to. It will instantly improve your focus because you’re somewhere you want to be!

We’re so passionate about this productivity method that we even dedicated a whole other blog post to it, so go and have a read if you’re feeling inspired to create a productivity-boosting workspace!

10. Body Doubling

Try this if: You have a really boring task to do and have a friend who wouldn’t mind helping.

You’ll need to phone a friend or ask the audience for this one! Last on the list of our favourite productivity methods is a tip called Body Doubling. You may have heard this term floating around on social media, and once you have heard about it, you will not be able to un-notice what a difference it makes!

This method works best for the tasks that you can’t stop putting off because they are so uninteresting (we use this a lot when cleaning). It is the act of having someone else there alongside you when doing the task, but it doesn’t always have to be physical! You can give them a phone call whilst you get the task done, or if you’re sat at a computer, just having someone sat next to you can be enough for this method to work!

So what’s the science behind it? Well, there isn’t a lot of research into it yet, but a recent report found that it could be the sense of calm of having someone you trust there with you, and the feeling of being held accountable to finish the task you’re working on. They say a problem halved is a problem solved – it’s a lovely way to get things done, if you ask us!

We hope these productivity methods come in handy and provide some inspiration for next time you need to get things done. Remember, everyone is different so what will work for you might be different to someone else, but everything is worth a go once! Do let us know in the comments if you have any other productivity methods that have worked for you, that might help others too!

P.S. We are all about finding the productivity methods that work for you, and that goes for stationery too! Shop our range of Life Planners, Desk Pads or Personalised Diaries to become your most organised self yet!