Wired co-founder Kevin Kelly popularized the concept of “unsolicited advice lists” by sharing 68 bits of wisdom on his 68th birthday in 2020. This tradition continued with 99 additional bits of unsolicited advice.
Inspired by Kelly’s concise and straightforward style, here are 99 unsolicited tips specifically focused on productivity:
1. If you can complete a task in less than two minutes, do it right now.
2. Your inbox isn’t your to-do list.
3. Learn to say “no”–it’s a powerful productivity tool.
4. Get enough sleep. Rest = productivity.
5. Set artificial deadlines. “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion,” historian C. Northcote Parkinson said in 1955.
6. Use the Pomodoro technique: Work intensely for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
7. Remove as many notifications from your phone as possible.
8. Multitasking is a myth and a trap. Focus on one task at a time.
9. Start your day with the most difficult and challenging task. This is known as the Eat the Frog method.
10. Learn keyboard shortcuts. Saving seconds can lead to gaining hours.
11. Build a morning routine to give your day a clear purpose.
12. Stand during meetings to make them shorter and more efficient.
13. Write down your goals. Thoughts may fade, but your notes won’t.
14. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps. It’s easier to tackle eight small tasks than one large one.
15. Focus on organizing instead of memorizing. While the Getting Things Done system may not suit everyone, it offers valuable fundamentals.
16. Delegate tasks whenever possible. Trying to do everything yourself often goes wrong.
17. Create systems alongside your goals. These systems will stay with you even after achieving your goals.
18. Remember the Pareto principle: 20% of your efforts yield 80% of your results.
19. Practice meditation, conscious breathing, and mindfulness. Achieving mental clarity enhances both productivity and quality of life.
20. Take breaks from time to time.
21. Use a password manager and use it well.
22. Learn to type quickly. Relying on two fingers and looking at the keyboard will waste you a lot of time.
23. Automate repetitive tasks. Technology should serve you, not the other way around.
24. Follow the Ivy Lee method. Each night, write down your six most important tasks for the following day.
25. Keep your workspace tidy and inviting. A clean desk = a clear mind.
26. Improve your reading speed. Knowledge is powerful: The more you absorb, the better.
27. Exercise regularly. It’s vital for overall well-being.
28. Use Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule: Count down and take action.
29. If you find yourself easily distracted, use a web blocker to restrict access to certain sites during work hours.
30. Set a time limit for making unimportant decisions.
31. Learn to say “no” to yourself. This is key to self-discipline.
32. The “Rocks, Pebbles, Sand” analogy may be overused, but it effectively illustrates how to prioritize tasks.
33. Visualization is another well-known technique that works. Imagining what it’ll take to achieve your goals will help you reach them.
34. Apply the Seinfeld strategy: Avoid breaking your streak of productive days.
35. Try the Power Hour technique: Dedicate one hour to intense, distraction-free work. This boosts productivity and motivation.
36. Occasionally review your list of completed tasks, not just the ones pending. This reflection will remind you of your accomplishments.
37. Revisit tip number 3. Learn to say “no” with grace and empathy and protect your time without being rude.
38. Use time blocking. Reserve time in your calendar for important tasks, treating them as priorities similar to meetings and appointments with others.
39. Remember to use the task batching method. Grouping similar tasks makes them easier to complete efficiently.
40. Say “no” to unnecessary meetings. Many of them are.
41. Avoid scheduling unnecessary meetings. Only include those who have something valuable to contribute. Email is effective for all other communications.
42. Periodically declutter your tasks. Review your task manager and remove any tasks that no longer make sense or have been pending for too long. There’s usually a reason for this.
43. Maximize the use of your project management tools.
44. Make the most of all your tools: notes, email, calendar, and internal communication systems.
45. Use the Japanese 5S methodology to organize your workspace.
46. Review all your tasks in your task manager every week.
47. Train your memory. It’ll be beneficial.
48. Use the Six Thinking Hats technique to gain different perspectives when facing a complex problem.
49. Learn about data visualization to understand your productivity better.
50. Read Atomic Habits by James Clear.
51. Self-discipline doesn’t exclude self-compassion. Productivity should be sustainable, and we’re all human.
52. If a project seems unpleasant or boring, try gamifying it.
53. Concentration can be improved through breathing techniques.
54. Don’t settle for inadequate tools at your workplace. Suggest improvements and explain their benefits to the company.
55. Use automation tools like IFTTT, Zapier, and Excel macros to streamline processes.
56. Apply the Kanban method to visualize your workflow.
57. While it’s not for everyone, many people find that a 30-minute nap can significantly boost productivity.
58. Try the Minimum Viable Action strategy if you’re struggling to start a stalled project.
59. If you’re hesitant about a decision, use the 10/10/10 rule: Consider how it’ll make you feel in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
60. Apply the Pareto principle also to your professional network. A small number of contacts can provide you with the key to almost everything important.
61. If you tend to procrastinate on the same task, set a countdown timer.
62. Maintain a waiting list to jot down your ideas and future projects. Don’t rely solely on your memory.
63. Plan your ideal schedule as if it depended solely on you. This will serve as a guide and will align your time with your priorities.
64. Ask yourself: What would make today a great day? This will determine your daily focus.
65. Establish a daily closing routine to transition from your professional life to your personal life.
66. Avoid spending the day constantly checking your email inbox. Limit yourself to a few checks a day and forget about your emails the rest of the time.
67. Develop a proper evening routine that includes avoiding dinner right before bed and setting aside time away from screens to help you rest better.
68. Always write down your ideas, whether in a notebook, a notes app on your phone, or a voice memo on your smartwatch.
69. Often, a B is the optimal result. Anything below it is insufficient, while above it means you’ve spent too much time striving for a perfect A.
70. Working in different environments from time to time can boost your creativity.
71. Avoid decisions that take too long to make. They can be mentally exhausting.
72. If you work from home, congratulations! However, it’s important to set clear temporal and physical boundaries.
73. Don’t work from home wearing your pajamas.
74. Create templates for repetitive tasks to save time.
75. It’s often beneficial to rewrite long emails to make them more concise and easier to read.
76. Emojis can effectively communicate and convey ideas when used tastefully. Avoid overusing them.
77. Every meeting should have a clear purpose beforehand. If it doesn’t, it may not be necessary.
78. Identify the times of day when you feel particularly inspired and energetic. Concentrate your most challenging work during those periods.
79. Recurring delivery services, such as Amazon’s Subscribe & Save, can help you avoid worries and distractions, especially for basic supplies.
80. Just two minutes a day is enough time to learn something new, no matter how small.
81. If you feel overwhelmed, take half an hour for yourself to engage in something you truly enjoy.
82. Self-complacency and making excuses can be frustrating for others and unproductive for you.
83. If you frequently have online meetings, invest in a high-quality headset with a good microphone.
84. Similarly, use a good camera and ensure proper lighting during online meetings.
85. If you often forget to take breaks, set an alarm as a reminder.
86. Responding immediately to every minor message reflects poorly on your focus regarding your actual work.
87. What you tolerate is what you end up with.
88. Make it a habit to leave your inbox at zero on Fridays. It’ll allow you to start the next week with peace of mind.
89. Check your calendar daily and weekly. You can organize your schedule in just five minutes and be aware of your agenda.
90. If you work seated for extended periods, strengthen and stretch the muscles in your neck, back, and hips to help prevent chronic pain.
91. While digital files may not be trendy anymore, they’re still important. Maintain a consistent structure, organization, and naming convention.
92. Moments of deep concentration are more productive when your phone is set to Do Not Disturb mode.
93. Keep healthy snacks, such as fruit or nuts, on hand to avoid distractions by hunger.
94. Your browser’s autocomplete feature can be a hidden source of distractions.
95. An uncluttered and organized desk is beneficial, both on your physical desk and your computer.
96. Noise-canceling headphones are a worthwhile investment, especially if you work in a noisy environment.
97. Define a specific timeframe for responding to messages that can wait.
98. Use the dictation function on your phone. It’s an excellent tool for capturing ideas when you can’t or don’t want to type.
99. These tips aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Take what you need and what feels right for you.
Image | Isaac Smith
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