Productivity tips that actually work

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Tired of to-do lists that never seem to shrink? You're not alone. From micro-habits to music tricks, the productivity tips in this gallery might sound a little silly at first, but they genuinely work! Backed by experts, each approach is designed to beat procrastination, boost focus, and make getting started feel less overwhelming.

So whether you're stuck in a rut or just need a fresh strategy, click on for some tips that can help you build momentum and actually get things done!

Trick your brain with tiny steps

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Break tasks into ridiculously small actions. Just open your doc and write the title. That's it. This easy first step method helps overcome inertia and perfectionism. Once you've started, momentum usually kicks in, and you often end up doing more than planned.

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

It's low-pressure, brain-approved productivity that gets you past the starting line, which is often the hardest part.

Play your "hype playlist"

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Make a playlist of nostalgic, high-energy songs that get you moving instantly. According to experts, it works because movement and music equal dopamine and focus.

Count like you're about to dance

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Counting with movement helps switch tasks by physically and mentally signaling change. It's an interstitial action: a cue that one thing's done and another’s beginning.

Ditch the to-do list for a calendar

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Try power planning, meaning you slot your tasks into a calendar, not a list. This forces realism, as you can’t schedule 12 hours of work into four. It also reduces decision fatigue because you already know what to do next.

Use music like a task timer

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Create a short playlist for small chores. Use it as a built-in timer to beat procrastination. One song to answer emails. Two to clean up. Having a musical endpoint makes it easier to start, and the rhythm can help you stay focused.

Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

When everything feels urgent, it's overwhelming. Instead, break down tasks and rate them by how intense or emotionally draining they feel. Start with the least intense to get going.

Move first, think later

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Feeling mentally frozen? Don't strategize—move. Stand up, walk in a circle, stretch your arms, or shake it out. This small physical motion can jolt your system and reframe your focus.

Narrate your day like a sports commentator

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Speak your actions out loud, especially if you’re alone. Say, "Now we're opening the laptop, and here comes the email!" It keeps your brain focused and adds playfulness to boring routines.

Celebrate every micro-win

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Finished a task? Clap, cheer, high five yourself. These little celebrations trigger a dopamine boost, reinforcing positive habits. Your brain needs to associate productivity with reward, not dread.

Try the "body double" method

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Sometimes, just being near someone else whp helps you focus, whether it’s in person or over Zoom. It’s a favorite method in the ADHD community because it taps into social accountability and focus through presence. 

Reclaim dead time with a "prep list"

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Have 10 minutes before a meeting? Use that "dead time" intentionally with a go-to list of small, low-energy tasks: tidy your desk, drink water, reply to one message.

Make a "done list"

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

At the end of the day, jot down everything you actually did, even if you went off-script. Seeing what you did accomplish (even small stuff) builds confidence, reduces guilt, and helps track patterns.

Use visual timers or hourglasses

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Digital timers are great, but for some they add pressure. Try using a visual timer, like a sand timer. Watching time pass in a calm, visual way can ease time anxiety while helping you stay focused.

Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Trick your brain with tiny steps, Play your "hype playlist", Count like you're about to dance, Ditch the to-do list for a calendar, Use music like a task timer, Rate tasks by "intensity," not importance, Move first, think later, Narrate your day like a sports commentator, Celebrate every micro-win, Try the "body double" method, Reclaim dead time with a "prep list", Make a "done list", Use visual timers or hourglasses, Set an "exit plan" for tasks

Before you start a task, decide when and how you'll stop. Will you work for 30 minutes? Until a section's done? Will you close your laptop and stretch?

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