25 Reminders That'll Make You More Productive Than Your Next Self-Help Book
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The internet and self-help books are flooded with tons of productivity hacks and tricks.
But how many of them do you remember in your everyday life?
I asked myself this question a while ago, and I realized that the best way to stay productive is not with hacks but with reminders.
Reminders of what’s important and what needs to be done.
Here’s why:
- Reason number one:
You aren’t a robot.
You’re not born to work 12 hours a day.
But productivity hacks make you believe so.
Plus, these hacks might work for some machines out there, but you’re a human being with emotions, distractions, and different rhythms.
You can’t just follow a formula and expect to be productive all the time.
What you need is to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and to stay focused on that.
- Reason number two:
Productivity tips and tricks are sometimes just shortcuts.
And shortcuts don’t always lead you to the destination you want to be.
Let me tell you something.
There’s no easy way out.
If you want to be productive, you need to put in the effort and work hard.
You can’t just look for the quickest way to get things done and expect to be successful.
- Reason number three:
Productivity hacks can be overwhelming.
There are so many different techniques out there, and it can be hard to know which one to follow.
One day, you’re doing the Pomodoro technique, and the next day, you’re trying out the Eisenhower matrix.
It’s like trying to choose a milkshake flavor at a diner.
Too many options can lead to indecision, confusion, and procrastination.
- Reason number four:
Productivity mantras don’t work if you don’t have a purpose.
You need to have a clear goal and a vision for your future if you want to be productive.
If you don’t know what you’re working towards, then all the productivity hacks in the world won’t help you.
You need to know where you want to go before you can start walking.
- Reason number five:
The one major problem with productivity hacks is they can make you complacent.
If you’re always looking for the easy way out, then you might start to think that you don’t need to work as hard as you should.
You might start to settle for less and be content with mediocrity.
That’s not what being productive is all about.
You need to challenge yourself, push your limits, and strive for excellence.
What I Did
I created my own list of productivity mantras from the literature I’ve read — short and meaningful phrases that remind me to stay focused on my tasks, build good habits, and boost motivation.
And they help me get 10X more done in less time!
So steal this reminder cheatsheet and stick it on your wall/fridge to pull you out of a productivity slump.
The Productivity Reminder Cheat Sheet
“Don’t just check off tasks. Create something of value.”
“Not all days are alike. It’s okay to do NOTHING.”
“If you can’t do it TODAY, what makes you think you’ll do it TOMORROW.”
“Develop a sense of urgency. Things will be done faster.”
“You’re running towards your death date, don’t waste it on trivial things like online trolls.”
“Can’t focus? Take a break. Recharge and refocus.”
“Just do it. Rework it later (if needed).”
“Always focus on the end goal, not on small milestones.”
“Delay gratification for long-term satisfaction.”
“Take care of your mind first before you take care of your tasks.”
“Make decisions based on facts and recurring events, not emotions.”
“To keep distractions afar, reflect inside — it’s your inner compass.”
“What’s draining your energy? Get rid of it.”
“Control the controllable. The uncontrollable will bow down.”
“Be mindful of your thoughts and use positive reinforcement.”
“Make choices based on what brings you closer to your goals.”
“Overwhelmed with tasks? Plan and prioritize.”
“One task at a time.”
“Know your why.”
“Let go of things that don’t make you better.”
“Nothing comes easy.”
“Trust your gut and take leaps of faith.”
“You can do anything, but not everything.”
“A completed task is better than an unfinished one.”
“Visualize you’ve achieved everything.”
👉 If this post resonates with you, forward it on to your buddies!
And please, don't forget to hit that ❤️ button. If you’re NOT using the app, respond with the word “Awesome.“ It helps others find it on Substack.
Thanks for the support! 🙌
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Planning and focusing on one's goals are the to best issues that I know help achieve more than any other.🥰