There is no shortage of productivity advice online. Every week there seems to be a new system, routine, or “life-changing” method that promises to help you finally get everything done.
Some of them genuinely help. Some work for a season. Some simply do not fit your personality, energy, or life.
Over the past few years, I have tested a handful of well-known productivity methods while building a marketing agency, running a magazine, podcasting, and trying to maintain a life outside of work.
Here is how these productivity methods actually worked for me.
Pomodoro Method
Rating: 7/10
The Pomodoro Technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s, and it is one of the most recognizable focus methods out there. The idea is simple: work for a set amount of time, then take a break.
Traditionally, this looks like 25 minutes of work followed by a 5 minute break. I personally prefer a longer version. A 60 minute focus session followed by about a 10 to 15 minute break feels more natural for how I work.
This method works best for me when I am struggling to focus or feeling scattered. Setting a timer removes the mental negotiation that happens when you are trying to convince yourself to start something.
I don’t use this every day, but it is one I return to when I feel scattered and really need to lock in.
Time Blocking
Rating: 9/10
Time blocking has been talked about by a lot of productivity thinkers over the years and it is exactly what it sounds like: planning your work directly inside your calendar instead of relying on a running to-do list.
Each day has a general theme and structure. Creative work, meetings, admin tasks, and content creation all have designated time blocks.
Living by the calendar removes decision fatigue and makes it easier to see when you are overcommitting. If it is not scheduled, it probably is not happening.
For running a business and managing content, this has been one of the most grounding systems I have tried. I still love a good physical to do list for a braindump, but having it on my calendar has changed everything.
Eat the Frog
Rating: 2/10
“Eat the Frog” was popularized by Brian Tracy, inspired by a Mark Twain quote about doing the hardest thing first.
The idea is to tackle your most difficult task at the beginning of the day so everything else feels easier afterward.
In theory, this makes sense. In practice, it does not work for me.
If I wake up knowing the first thing I have to do is the hardest task, I feel immediate resistance. Starting with something manageable helps me build momentum instead.
This one is a good reminder that just because a productivity method is popular does not mean it works for everyone.
Task Batching
Rating: 6/10
Task batching comes from workflow efficiency ideas that have been around for decades, especially in operations and creative production. The concept is to group similar tasks together so you are not constantly switching contexts.
This can look like recording multiple podcast episodes in one sitting or writing several newsletters at once.
A lighter version of batching works well for me. Recording two podcast episodes in one session is efficient without being draining.
When batching gets too ambitious, though, I feel depleted and less consistent afterward. Small, intentional batching works better than trying to maximize output.
Digital Minimalism
Rating: 10/10
Digital minimalism became widely known through Cal Newport’s work, especially his book Digital Minimalism, which focuses on protecting your attention in a world full of distractions.
Putting my phone away while working is simple but incredibly effective. Sometimes I use my Brick device for blocking certain apps, or put it on Do Not Disturb and set it somewhere else.
The difference in concentration is immediate. Tasks take less time because I’m not constantly dividing my attention.
This is easily the highest-impact productivity habit on this list.
Don’t Break the Chain
Rating: 7/10
“Don’t break the chain” is often linked to Jerry Seinfeld, who reportedly used a calendar to track daily writing habits.
The idea is to mark each day you complete a habit and build a visible streak over time.
I love the simplicity of this concept. Right now, I am experimenting with using a physical calendar to track consistency, and it feels surprisingly motivating.
It works best when treated as encouragement rather than pressure. The visual streak really does help.
The 12 Week Year
Rating: 8/10
The 12 Week Year comes from the book I love by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington, and the concept is refreshingly simple: treat 12 weeks like a full year.
Instead of thinking in long annual timelines, you focus on shorter execution cycles.
This makes goals feel more immediate and actionable. It naturally forces prioritization because there is not enough time to do everything.
For launches, business planning, and creative projects, this structure feels especially helpful.
Deep Work
Rating: 9/10
The term “deep work” was coined by Cal Newport and describes focused, distraction-free time spent on cognitively demanding tasks.
Having full days dedicated to deep work has been incredibly powerful for me. Writing, planning, and creative strategy all improve when I am not switching between tasks.
Even one deep work day per week can move projects forward in a noticeable way. It creates clarity and momentum that fragmented work rarely does.
Leaving a Task Half Finished
Rating: 9/10
This idea connects to something called the Zeigarnik Effect, discovered by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, which suggests our brains remember unfinished tasks more easily than completed ones.
Writers sometimes call this the Hemingway Method because Ernest Hemingway was known for stopping mid-thought so it would be easier to continue later.
Instead of finishing a task completely, you stop while you still know what comes next. When you return, you can jump right back in.
I love this for creative work. Starting is usually the hardest part, and this removes that friction.
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The Real Lesson About Productivity
Trying different productivity methods has taught me something important: productivity is less about finding one perfect system and more about building a toolkit that works for YOU.
Some methods help you focus. Some help you plan. Some help you protect your energy. And some simply teach you what does not work for you.
The best productivity system is the one you can return to consistently, even during busy seasons or low-energy weeks.
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