6 productivity tools to help you plan your day

Productivity is such a huge issue that hundreds (maybe thousands!) of books on the topic have been sweated over and published. You're not alone. The Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of people feel so stressed they're often overwhelmed and unable to cope.

Here's some of our favourite non-techie tools to help improve productivity. You can experiment with them and even combine then to come up with your own unique way of getting things done and being more productive.

Whether you're a student, a busy professional, or a stay-at-home parent, these tools can help you make the most of your time. They can even help you achieve those goals that are so huge they can seem like a dream!

1. Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is all about working hard for 25 minutes, then taking a five-minute break. It's a great way to get things done without getting side-tracked by social media or other distractions. The best part is that you can use a timer to keep yourself honest and make sure you're staying on track.

2. Eisenhower Matrix

The Eisenhower Matrix is a way to help you prioritize tasks. It's all about figuring out what's important and what's urgent, then focusing on the stuff that's both. The idea is to avoid getting bogged down with stuff that can wait, so you can stay focused on what really matters.

3. Kaizen

Kaizen is a Japanese word that means "continuous improvement." You make small changes that over time lead to big improvements. It's a great way to stay motivated and keep making progress, even when things seem overwhelming.

4. Time Blocking

This is all about setting aside - blocking - specific times to work on specific tasks so you can focus on what really matters and not waste time on stuff that doesn't. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your day, especially when your job seems to be all about meetings, or your life seems to be all about what other people want.

5. 10 Minutes of Power

This technique can help you start on stuff you've been avoiding. Just set a timer for 10 minutes and work on the task at hand. After 10 minutes, you can take a break or keep going if you're in the zone.

6. Eat that Frog

This tool was developed by Brian Tracy to help prioritise tasks. The main principle is that you tackle your most challenging or important task - the one that you are most likely to avoid or delay (the frog!) - first thing in the morning when you have the most energy and focus.

You can be more productive

In a nutshell, these six tools are all about making it easier to get stuff done. Whether you're using the Pomodoro Technique, Eisenhower Matrix, kaizen, time blocking, or 10 Minutes of Power, these tools can help you stay focused, stay motivated, and stay on track. If you'd like to try them, pick up our Productivity Planner.