How I Get More Done In Less Time

Are you tired of productivity advice that just doesn't work?

So was I, and I’ve tried more productivity hacks than I can remember.

But I finally found a method that's changing the game for me, and it might just do the same for you.

In a world where we're constantly juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, finding a productivity system that works can seem impossible.

But it doesn't have to be.

Productivity is not just about getting more done. It's about reclaiming your time, your focus, and ultimately, your happiness and well-being.

In today’s letter, I’m going to share with you the minimalist method that's helping me stay focused on what matters and get more done in less time.

Let’s dive in!

The Challenge

Nowadays I find myself juggling client work, coaching marketers and entrepreneurs, doing business development, working on new offers, writing LinkedIn content, sending a weekly newsletter, reading and researching, engaging and networking, and a list of other personal things.

So there’s a lot going on (to say the least).

I used to time-block everything on my calendar and track every hour I spent. It worked to some extent, but I was still falling behind every now and then. Soon enough, managing my calendar became a job of its own. Not fun!

So in the spirit of doing less (and feeling better about waking up in the morning), I started following this strategy and I’m much happier as a result.

5 Steps to Becoming More Productive Without Burning Out and Losing Your Sanity

1. I time block only 4hrs on my calendar

I work in two 2-hour blocks with a 1-hour lunch break. I work best between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. So I simply stick to that.

1st two-hour block: 10:00 am → 12:00 pm
2nd two-hour block: 1:00 pm → 3:00 pm

These are my focused work hours. I use the first two-hour block to work on my top goal for the day. I use this time for high-leverage work while my brain is still functioning at its best.

No phone, no notifications, or any other distractions during this time (no matter how important they might seem).

Of course, most days I end up working more, but everything else I do outside of these 4 hours is a bonus. I use the rest of my work time for the less important and less urgent tasks. Things that don’t require as much focus and creative energy.

I don’t block time on my calendar for anything else unless it’s a meeting (or a personal activity that I need to be reminded of).

This makes it less overwhelming to stick to. I don’t feel the need to track everything. If I complete my 4 hours of high-leverage focused work, I know I won the day, and that gives me peace of mind.

2. I do different things on different days

Some days are dedicated to client work, others to business development, and some to content creation.

Routine work (like replying to emails or engaging on LinkedIn) happens outside the 4 hours of focused work.

I find it easier when every day has its theme rather than constantly switching from one thing to another.

On busier days, I split my day in half. For example, the first half is for content creation, second half is for client work. The aim is to reduce context switching as much as possible.

3. The main goals are weekly not daily goals

I shifted from setting only daily goals to setting weekly goals.

This means if I have a bad day (or simply a low-energy day) I can make up for it. What matters is that by the end of the week, I’ve done what I wanted to do.

Bad days are inevitable. The sooner you accept them, the faster you can work around them without compromising your output.

Let’s face it, sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is take a break. If resting for a day means you'll perform better over the next few days, take a guilt-free break.

4. I set a north-star metric for success

When there’s no clear finish line, you risk burning out and losing motivation.

So every day I choose one thing that if I complete within that day, I know I’ve done enough. The same applies for the week, except it's usually a bigger goal.

This is not just for psychological relief, but also for avoiding unnecessary detours. It’s for staying focused on the main thing.

5. I protect my time from busy work

None of this matters if you can't protect your personal time.

Burnout happens when work takes over your personal life, leaving you with little time or energy to care for your mental, physical, and spiritual health.

So, schedule your personal time, family time, and social activities too.

These things should be on your calendar as well. You don’t necessarily have to time-block these things, but you should at least know that from 7 pm to 9 pm you’re strictly not allowed to work or even think about work.

You have two hours to do whatever you want with whoever you want. Even if it means doing absolutely nothing during this time. There’s value in that too.

If you enjoyed this, hit reply and let me know.

Until next time, keep creating!

Omara

Quick Picks

1. On the topic of productivity, here are some great tips from Tim Ferriss.

2. On the topic of focusing on what matters, you can’t go wrong with this book.

3. If you’re struggling to hit inbox zero, this article might save you.

P.S. If you want to build your online presence without wasting months on guesswork, book a 1:1 Coaching Session with me and let me help you.