Best Productivity Hacks To Get Things Done In 2025

Productivity is the ability to fully focus and complete a task efficiently without procrastinating. This has been a great challenge for most people, myself included until I found a perfect productivity system that helped me improve my work efficiency.

Although you presumably already understand how important it is to work efficiently and save time, your current methods may not be sufficient. That’s why, in this article, I have put together the best productivity hacks that can help you become more productive. Here are some suggestions to help you overcome these obstacles, increase your productivity at work, and improve your life as a whole.

Benefits of Being Productive

Being productive comes with many benefits that can greatly improve various aspects of your life. Read on to find out more about some of the benefits of productivity.

Creates a Sense of Achievement: One key benefit of being productive is the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing tasks and achieving goals. When you are productive, you feel a sense of satisfaction and pride in your work, which boosts your self-esteem and confidence. This, in turn, motivates you to take on new challenges and strive for even greater success.
Improved Time Management: Effective productivity often involves planning and prioritizing tasks. This process of organization naturally leads to better time management, allowing you to make the most of your time.
Reduced stress: When you’re productive, you have a better handle on your workload and deadlines. This sense of control can significantly reduce stress levels and help prevent burnout, which can have detrimental effects on both your physical and mental well-being.
Less Procrastination: Being productive lastly helps you develop a stronger ability to focus and complete tasks on time. This reduces the urge to procrastinate, which can often lead to increased stress and missed deadlines.

16 Productivity Hacks In 2024

With that being said, let’s now move on to the best 16 productivity hacks to get things done faster.

1. Stop Multitasking

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

Multitasking is when you try to perform two or more tasks simultaneously. This is one of the greatest enemies of productivity and progress.

Even though multitasking appears to be a great strategy for completing many tasks at a given time, it is a delusion that does more harm than good. To increase your productivity levels, avoid multitasking at all costs.

Below are some of the harms multitasking does to your productivity:

Multitasking will prevent you from completing any task because you only switch from one task to another without full completion of a task. This makes tasks longer than they should be.
Doing several tasks at the same time will reduce your work efficiency and the quality of work you produce, as you are always in a hurry to switch to another task.

Instead of multitasking, focus on completing one task at a time, and you will be amazed at what you will be able to accomplish in a day.

2. Set a Single Goal for Each Day

Setting a single, clear objective for each day is a great way to increase productivity and focus, as you can easily focus on achieving a single goal for the day.

This can be done by breaking your daily goal into different tasks, which will allow you to work on a task at a given time. This method not only improves productivity but also creates a sense of direction and purpose throughout your day.

3. Break Large Tasks into Smaller Tasks

One of the most effective productivity hacks is breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. When faced with a daunting project or assignment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to start.

Therefore, by breaking it down into smaller tasks, you can easily approach each one with clarity and focus, making the overall task feel much more achievable.

To do this, start by identifying the main components or steps required to complete the task. And then, break these down even further into smaller, actionable tasks.

This not only makes the task seem less overwhelming but also allows you to track your progress more effectively.

Breaking tasks into smaller chunks also helps to prevent procrastination. It’s much easier to motivate yourself to work on a small, manageable task than it is to tackle a large, overwhelming one.

4. Create a Dedicated Workspace

Creating a dedicated workspace is another great way to increase your productivity, especially when you work from home. As great as the idea of working from home sounds, it does come with some complications and challenges.

One of which is the struggle to stay productive and focused during your working hours. That’s why it is mandatory to set up a dedicated workspace that will inspire productivity and creativity.

Having a dedicated workspace makes it easy to focus during working hours. It also saves you from the temptation to do things that are not work-related.

Tips for Setting Up a Home Workspace

Find a secluded area or room that is rarely used.
Choose a spot that is free from noise and distractions. This will help increase your work efficiency and productivity.
Make it comfortable for you to work in, as working in an uncomfortable area will affect your productivity and also make your time in the space miserable.
Choose a place closer to a window. Placing your workspace near a window will bring in natural light, which will keep you more active. If you can’t find a place close to a window, make sure you illuminate the space with lamps to avoid putting dull and unnecessary strain on your eyes.

5. Clean and Declutter both your Physical and Digital Workspace

Having a cluttered workspace is another factor that can significantly hinder productivity. Excess stuff in your workspace can overwhelm your mind and make it difficult to focus. That’s why one of the most effective productivity hacks is to regularly clean and declutter both your physical and digital workspaces.

To declutter your workspace, every day, set aside a short period to tidy your workspace, store documents, and organize materials.

Not only will this create a more visually appealing workspace, but it will also help you feel more organized and focused. Similarly, don’t neglect your digital workspace. Take the time to organize your computer files and folders logically, deleting any unnecessary documents or applications. Invest in digital organization tools such as file management software or cloud storage solutions to help keep your digital workspace clutter-free and easily accessible.

6. Use the Eisenhower matrix to organize your task by priority

When it comes to productivity, effective task management is key. The Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful tool that can help you prioritize your tasks based on their urgency and importance, allowing you to focus your time and energy where it matters most.

Named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously said, “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important,” this matrix categorizes tasks into four quadrants:

Urgent and Important: These tasks require immediate attention and are crucial to your goals or deadlines. They should be your top priority and be tackled as soon as possible.
Important, but Not Urgent: Tasks in this category are significant for your long-term objectives but don’t require immediate action. Allocate time for these tasks to prevent them from becoming urgent in the future.
Urgent, but Not Important: These tasks may seem pressing, but they don’t contribute directly to your goals. Consider delegating or minimizing them to free up time for more important activities.
Not Urgent and Not Important: Tasks that fall into this quadrant are neither urgent nor important. They are often distractions that can be eliminated or postponed without affecting your productivity.

Using the Eisenhower matrix, you can gain clarity on which tasks deserve your immediate attention and which can be deferred or delegated. This strategic approach to task management helps you make better decisions about how to invest your time, ultimately boosting your productivity and efficiency.

7. Batch your Tasks

One of the most efficient productivity hacks is task-batching. This strategy involves grouping similar tasks and completing them in one dedicated block of time.

Here’s how to implement task batching effectively:

Identify Similar Tasks: Identify tasks that require similar resources, skills, or mental focus. These include responding to emails, making phone calls, or completing research tasks.
Allocate Dedicated Time Blocks: Once you’ve identified your tasks, allocate dedicated time blocks in your schedule to focus solely on each batch of tasks. For example, you might designate the first hour of your morning for email correspondence and the afternoon for creative work or meetings.
Minimize Distractions: During your dedicated task batching sessions, minimize distractions to maintain focus and productivity. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs or applications, and create a conducive work environment to further optimize your concentration.
Stay Flexible: While task batching can help you stay organized and efficient, it’s essential to remain flexible. Some tasks may require more or less time than anticipated, so be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly.
Evaluate and Adjust: Periodically evaluate your task batching strategy to identify areas for improvement. Pay attention to which tasks are most efficiently batched together and adjust your approach as needed to optimize your productivity.

Task batching can significantly streamline your workflow, allowing you to complete tasks more quickly and effectively.

8. Avoid Distractions

Image by Richard Duijnstee from Pixabay

In this modern age, we are surrounded by a lot of things and activities, like social media, which can be a great distraction to us. Social media, for instance, makes it very difficult for an average person to focus for 20 minutes on something without being distracted.
These distractions are a great enemy of productivity, which will not only waste your time but also make you less efficient. To increase your productivity, you must find ways to eliminate these distractions, especially during work hours. This might mean silencing notifications, setting designated times for checking email or social media, creating a distraction-free work environment, etc.

9. Deep Work with the Pomodoro Method

The Pomodoro Method is a time management system that makes you work and take a break within a specific time interval. This technique requires you to work at 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks. You can take longer breaks of about 15 to 30 minutes, but only after four consecutive work sessions.

This technique is one of the great ways to develop productive work habits. Working in time intervals helps you to intensely focus on a task, whereas the mini breaks allow you to regain your energy and come back refreshed and strong.

Below are the steps to applying the Pomodoro method:

Identify the tasks you need to complete for the day.
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work on a task without any distractions.
Take 5-minute breaks when the alarm sounds.
Take a 15- to 30-minute break after four sessions and start the process all over again.

10. Wake Up Early

Another great productivity hack is to cultivate the habit of waking up early. Being an early riser helps you get a lot done, as it is much quieter and there are fewer distractions, providing the perfect opportunity to focus on your most important work. This can be exercising, meditating, or diving into your most challenging projects.

Starting your day early gives you a head start and a sense of accomplishment that can propel you forward. Also, waking up early in the morning gives you more time to plan for the day and get yourself more organized.

Waking up early is a powerful productivity hack that sets the tone for the entire day. When you rise with the sun, you gain precious extra hours to tackle your tasks before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.

11. The 2-Minute Rule

The 2-Minute Rule is a time management technique used to handle mini tasks like washing dishes or clothes, phone calls, and mailing instead of procrastinating them, especially when they can be done in two minutes or less.
However, if the task will take longer than two minutes to complete, add it to your to-do list and do it later. Using this technique makes it easy for you to tackle those little things that must be done and get them out of the way, so you can focus on the other important tasks for the day.

12. Plan your Day Ahead of Time

Another way to make your day very productive is by planning and organizing your day in advance. Planning your day ahead of time will help you stay very organized throughout the day as you know what you are working on.
This can be done by writing down everything you need to do on that day and at what time, either early in the morning or late at night. Doing this daily will help you complete all your tasks for the day without wasting time figuring out what to do next.

13. Avoid Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a great enemy of progress. Trying to perfect everything you do will only waste your time and deter you from progressing to other important things. Once the task is good enough, move on to the next task.

Avoiding perfectionism is a key productivity hack that can significantly increase your efficiency and output. While striving for excellence is admirable, perfectionism can often be a hindrance rather than a help.

Perfectionism can lead to excessive time spent on small details, procrastination, and even paralysis by analysis. Instead of focusing on completing tasks efficiently, perfectionists may find themselves endlessly tweaking and revising, never feeling satisfied with their work.

To combat perfectionism, it’s important to shift your mindset and embrace the concept of “good enough.” Recognize that perfection is often unattainable and that striving for it can impede progress. Set realistic goals and deadlines for yourself, and strive for excellence without getting bogged down by the pursuit of perfection.

14. Congratulate yourself when you achieve your daily goal

Congratulating yourself when you achieve your daily goals is a simple yet powerful productivity hack. Taking a moment to acknowledge your accomplishments not only boosts your morale but also reinforces positive behaviors that contribute to ongoing success.

When you cultivate the habit of self-recognition and praise, you create an environment that fuels productivity and fosters a sense of accomplishment. So, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back when you reach your daily milestones—you’ve earned it!

15. Use the ‘One and Done Rule’

Utilizing the ‘One and Done Rule’ is a game-changer when it comes to productivity. The principle is simple: when faced with a task, aim to complete it in one go, without the need for constant revisiting or procrastination.

This approach is particularly effective for tasks that are relatively small or straightforward. Instead of letting them linger on your to-do list, tackle them head-on and get them done the first time around. This hack will help you avoid the trap of task fragmentation, where tasks are started but never fully completed.

So, the next time you’re faced with a task, remember the power of the ‘One and Done Rule’—take action, complete it, and move on to the next challenge with confidence.

16. Know When to Say No

One way to boost your productivity is to know when to say no. The thing is that you can never be productive and efficient if you take on too many commitments. That’s why it is important to stop saying yes to everything, especially tasks and obligations you don’t want to work on or do not have the time to complete.
This will only conflict with important tasks that really matter. Also, taking on too much can leave you stressed, which will affect the quality of the work you produce.
Knowing when to say no will greatly increase your productivity, as you can better focus on important tasks while protecting your time, energy, and sanity.

Conclusion

To conclude, productivity is a journey, not a destination. It requires consistent effort and a willingness to adapt. Experiment with different hacks to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to tweak your approach as needed. Additionally, prioritize self-care and well-being, as maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for long-term productivity.