Burned Out from Productivity Hacks? Here's What Actually Works

Why time-blocking, early mornings, and jam-packed schedules are making you less productive—not more

Why do you want to manage your time better and be more productive?

Learning to become better at these is valuable. However, it can be dangerous and often leads to burnout. Time management and productivity skills are not about doing more. They are about getting the essential things done efficiently and effectively , so you can free up time to do what you love.

Yet, when many people hear the words “time management” or “productivity,” they equate them with doing more. This is the opposite of what these words mean. A crucial part of being better with your time management is becoming more effective at what you do, which means spending less time doing it.

If you were to ask me to build a coffee table, it would take me days, if not weeks, to accomplish. Ask a carpenter to do it, and they will complete the project in no time at all. Their skill and experience have taught them where to start and what to do in a more effective and efficient way than I could ever do.

To become more effective with time management and productivity, you should focus on improving the way you do your work and finding ways to fine-tune your processes so you spend less time thinking about what to do and more time doing.

How do you get there?

It’s about avoiding some common mistakes; the four most common ones are:

Don’t micromanage your time.

Time blocking is an effective way to stay focused on what is important. With time blocking, you block time on your calendar for doing your most important work. For instance, if you have an important proposal to write, you would block an hour or two on your calendar for doing that work.

However, filling your calendar with time blocks and not leaving sufficient breathing room between appointments and work sessions will destroy your productivity. Aside from leaving you exhausted, it leaves you with no flexibility to deal with the unknowns that will inevitably arise.

An urgent Slack or WhatsApp message, an email from your boss or an important client. These things cannot be controlled and will derail your day.

Instead, try to leave at least twenty minutes between appointments and focus time blocks. At the very least, this gives you time to take a bathroom break or make a cup of tea or coffee. It also lets you deal with any emergencies that arise throughout the day.

Rising early isn’t for everyone.

Just because Indra Nooyi and Tim Cook begin their days early doesn’t mean you have to. Some people are naturally morning people; others are not. What are you? If you are not a natural early riser, you will suffer if you try to be one.