99% Ignore These Productivity Basics In The Pursuit of Fancy Frameworks
And become more unproductive than ever before
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Hunched over my desk in the dim glow of my laptop screen, I frantically toggled between 17 tabs.
Each screamed a different productivity framework.
“The Ivy Lee Method will change your life!” one proclaimed.
“Ditch that, try the Two-Minute Rule!” another retorted.
When my flatmate, Raj, waltzed into my room, he observed the chaotic scene, and remarked, “Hunting for another silver bullet for productivity, huh?”
With a teasing glint in his eyes, he said, “Why do you always beat me at Monopoly? You stick to the basics, doofus. You don’t use fancy strategies.”
“Reflect on your life and see what worked. You’ll know what to do to be productive,” he added.
So, here’s my take.
If you’re looking for fancy productivity frameworks, revisit these 11 basic productivity rules that most of us are overlooking.
Sometimes, simplicity truly is the key.
The Snooze Button is a Trickster
Ah, the allure of the snooze button.
At 20, every morning was a tussle with that sneaky little button.
It would whisper sweet promises of “just five more minutes,” only to sucker-punch me into an hour of disjointed sleep.
I’d then drag myself out of bed, running on residual sleep inertia, grogginess clouding my every move.
Breakfasts were skipped, buses were missed, and classes?
Well, they often started without me. And ended without me, as I wasn’t allowed to enter.
That’s until I had a eureka moment.
Set the alarm for the time I actually needed to wake up.
No need to wake up early if you don’t have an agenda for the day.
The difference was night and day.
Literally.
Welcoming the morning sun instead of wrestling with my pillow gave me clarity, calmness, and a kickstart that no cup of coffee could match.
Moral of the story?
Those extra minutes of fragmented sleep aren’t worth the mayhem they bring.
To-do’s Without Priority Are Useless
I once scribbled tasks on any available surface — hands, napkins, even once on a banana peel!
But, since they lacked order, nothing got covered.
Switching to prioritized lists, especially on chaotic days, became my game-changer.
Use the Eisenhower matrix:
Urgent and important: Do it first
Important, but not urgent: Schedule it
Not important, but urgent: Delegate it
Neither important nor urgent: Delete it
Binge-Watching is the New Procrastination
University finals week.
The library’s bustling notes are scattered everywhere, and here I am, buried under a blanket, watching ‘Friends’ for the umpteenth time.
Three episodes turned to ten, and before I knew it, hours had flown by.
When reality hit, I was in panic mode — a whole semester’s worth of syllabus and only hours to cram.
Not the best recipe for success.
Everyone needs downtime.
But, it’s essential to differentiate between ‘taking a break’ and ‘avoiding responsibility.’
If Ross can get over his divorces, you can stop yourself from watching him talk about them for the fifth time.
Schedule your binge-watching sessions, maybe even as a reward, but never let it control your day.
Multitasking: The Mythical Dragon
I would pride myself on handling multiple tasks simultaneously. Emails, phone calls, presentations — I was on it.
Until I wasn’t.
Tasks slipped through the cracks, errors piled up, and the quality of my work plummeted.
My mentor noticed and dropped some wisdom, “Chase two rabbits, catch neither.”
The logic was simple: honing in on one task ensures it’s done right.
Now, I approach tasks sequentially, giving each my undivided attention.
The result?
Better quality work, fewer errors, and, oddly, more time.
Perfect is the Enemy of Done
Every time I saw my friends’ report, I found my report was subpar. I reworked and reworked.
Till the last minute of online submission, I held onto it.
By the time I submitted it, system crashed.
I couldn’t submit it.
When I went to see my teacher, he said he’d accept it because it was outstanding.
Yet he gave me a “C” for being late.
Lesson?
Strive for excellence, not unattainable perfection.
Breaks Aren’t for the Weak
Ability to work for long hours =/= Badge of honor
It’s a sign of incompetency.
Use the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break.
Those short breaks can rejuvenate your focus and mental stability.
Ditch the Drama
Lost friendships over petty squabbles can seriously affect your productivity. You lose focus because you become disturbed.
Don’t get entangled with anyone online or offline.
Your goals need your energy more than trolls.
Staying silent is not a sign of weakness.
Old-School Pen & Paper Have Power
A crashed laptop once erased a week’s work.
Heartbreak!
I now start ideas on paper.
The tactile feeling of writing sparks creativity in a way screens just can’t.
Routine is Your Rocket Fuel
For a brief moment in time, I was on what I’d cheekily call “artist time.”
I’d work when “inspiration” struck. Sounds fancy, right?
In reality, it was chaos.
My productivity ebbed and flowed like unpredictable tidal waves.
Then, a management course teacher shared a secret sauce to productivty: routine.
Initially, the idea seemed restrictive.
However, embracing a structured daily routine paradoxically offered more freedom.
It carved out dedicated time blocks for focused work, creativity, relaxation, and everything in between.
This routine became my backbone, providing stability and predictability in an otherwise chaotic professional life.
My advice?
Find your rhythm. Stop following what others are doing.
Distractions are Productivity’s Kryptonite
Distractions were everywhere.
You pick up the phone, and if you’re not aware, you lose an hour. Doing what?
Aimless scrolling on Twitter.
Consuming world news.
Binge-watching dog/cat reels.
Pfft!
It sucks your creative time and mental energy.
Put on the DND mode.
Hide your digital devices and work in another room.
Discipline yourself.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish. It’s Survival.
I was the embodiment of the ‘hustle culture’.
Sleep?
Optional.
Weekends?
Just another workday in disguise.
I prided myself on being “always on,” constantly connected, perpetually pushing the envelope.
The more hours I clocked in, the more committed I felt.
However, the cracks soon began to show.
It wasn’t just the dark circles or the constant fatigue.
I felt disconnected from everything that once brought me joy.
One evening, after a particularly grueling week, a close friend sat me down.
He handed me a journal and said, “Write down what you did for yourself this week.”
As I stared at the blank page, the realization hit hard.
I’d neglected the most crucial project.
Me….
Self-care wasn’t just about spa days or vacations.
It was about tuning in to one’s needs, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
So, I began with baby steps.
A short evening walk, listening to my favorite music, or just spending a few moments in silent reflection.
Over time, these acts evolved, from dedicated digital detox hours to reading and even regular meditation.
The impact was profound.
Surged energy levels.
Blossomed creativity.
And tasks that once seemed daunting became manageable.
Before you take care of your tasks, take care of yourself first.
Final Words
It’s funny. As I look back on my younger self, it’s like observing a completely different person — someone who was hustling hard, yet often spinning in circles.
With each passing year, every stumble and misstep, I’ve gathered these life lessons, not as a token of regret but as badges of growth.
I am sure it will speed up your pace towards your life goals!
P.S. Which basic productivity rules do you stick to?
P.P.S. 👉 If this post resonates with you, don't hesitate to pass it on to buddies!
And please, don't forget to hit that ❤️ button, helping others find it on Substack. If you’re NOT using the app, simply respond with the word “Awesome!“Thanks for the support! 🙌
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