4 Ways to Hack Your Time and Productivity

Introduction

Productivity is a key aspect of success in any field, especially in our day of technology, hyper-efficiency, and demands for instant answers and gratification. It seems nobody can wait for an answer to their question or a reply to their voicemail or email. We have an enormous number of productivity tools at our disposal - software, apps, productivity experts - but it can be challenging for anyone to maintain a high level of productivity consistently. In this blog post, we will discuss some time and productivity hacks that can help you achieve your goals more efficiently.

Waking up earlier

Yeah, I know, you’ve heard this one before. I bet it’s even one of your top priorities or New Year’s Resolutions this year - again. It’s a cliche, but the simple fact is, it works. Getting up and going just a few minutes earlier can increase your productivity by 500%, according to research. Your energy and mental freshness will be highest in the morning, and distractions will be at the lowest (most people are still hitting the snooze button!). Speaking of, that snooze button may seem like a good idea at the time, but it can actually make you feel more tired and groggy throughout the day. Instead, try setting your alarm for the time you actually need to get up and establish a morning routine that energizes and motivates you. For maximum effectiveness, try going to bed and getting up 15 minutes earlier each day so it’s not a shock to your system. And if all that isn’t reason enough, studies show that morning people have a higher drive and more joy in their lives than night owls, and waking up earlier can lead to a 23% lower risk of depression.

Batching

Instead of multitasking - which is counter-productive and that science shows cannot be done - try batching instead. Batching tasks is a powerful productivity technique that helps you stay focused, minimize distractions, and get more done in less time. Instead of constantly switching between different types of work—like answering emails, creating content, and scheduling social media posts—you group similar tasks together and tackle them in dedicated time blocks. This reduces mental fatigue caused by task-switching and allows you to work more efficiently. For example, setting aside a specific afternoon to batch-write blog posts or record multiple workout videos in one session can streamline your workflow and prevent last-minute stress. By implementing task batching, you can create a more structured, productive routine that frees up time for strategic planning and personal growth. Furthermore, batching tasks isn’t just a time-management hack—it’s backed by neuroscience. Studies show that the brain takes time to adjust every time you switch tasks, a phenomenon known as "attention residue," which can reduce efficiency and increase cognitive load. Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that multitasking can lower productivity by up to 40% because the brain struggles to transition seamlessly between different types of work. By focusing on similar tasks in a single session, you allow your brain to enter a state of deep work, improving concentration, efficiency, and overall performance.

Reading while working out and commuting

Reading has a ton of benefits - better memory, increased vocabulary, elevated mood, reduced stress levels, greater knowledge, etc etc. No wonder just about every single successful entrepreneur carves out time in her day for reading. And if you're like most people, you probably spend a lot of time commuting and exercising. Instead of letting this time go to waste, grab a book or fire up a podcast. Learn something new, entertain yourself, learn a new language - all while you’re just sitting in traffic or walking 10,000 steps on the treadmill.

Time blocking important tasks

Energy-driven tasks like writing or that complex work project are best completed by time-blocking, a period during which you ignore email, phone calls, and any other interruptions. This is especially important considering that it takes an average of 23 minutes to be able to fully focus again after an interruption. So if you have an hour to focus on something that requires your full attention and the phone rings twice and you have to check your email and then somebody just posted something on Facebook…well, you get the picture. If you have a focus session feature on your computer, use it. Your notifications will be turned off until your session is over.

Conclusion

Try incorporating these simple but highly effective hacks into your daily and nightly routines. Simply saying “I don’t have time” just doesn’t cut it anymore in our fast-paced, gotta-have-it-now society. By increasing your productivity, you'll find a fringe benefit too - you'll have more time to spend on you and with your family. I have increased my productivity and output greatly by implementing these ideas, and I bet you will, too.