The Best Productivity Tool: Timeboxing

A tech company Filtered conducted a study to rank the efficacy of hundreds of productivity tools. After extensive review, Timeboxing was reported as the number one productivity tool.

Harvard Business Review echoed this sentiment: "This may be the single most important skill or practice you can possibly develop as a modern professional."

After trying it myself for a few months, I can say it definitely improved my productivity–with a few caveats.

What is Timeboxing?

It's essentially an extension of what you're already doing – scheduling things into your calendar.

To timebox, you allocate a predetermined amount of time to work on a specific task onto your calendar. During this set period, you focus solely on the task at hand. That's it!

Simple Steps to Timebox

1. List ~3 tasks you'd like to tackle for the next day
   💡Bonus tip: highlight one task as your "must-do"
2. Estimate the time needed for each task
3. Schedule each task on your calendar

Why is it so Effective?

• Unstructured time leads to easy things like doom-scrolling and TV, while avoiding difficult tasks (like working out or that hard but important task you keep delaying).
• Less multitasking improves productivity.
• You're much more likely to complete a task on your calendar (rather than a long to-do list).

Some Caveats

• Don't be a robot or a drill sergeant (I made this mistake also). Be flexible to the demands of the day, and adjust as needed.
• Double the time you think is needed for each task. We tend to overestimate our efficiency.
• Start with ~3 tasks per day. I tried 10+ tasks each day and it didn't go well 😅.

Implement!

A day without a plan leads to letting the day's emails, messages, and whatever you feel like doing (or not doing) dictate your actions. Try timeboxing to boost your productivity! 🌟

Spending less time on distractions is just as important as productivity. Check out 3 easy tips for digital detox!

Join me on a journey to redesign life, one step at a time! 👊