Productivity is one of those words that can feel both inspiring and guilt-inducing at the same time. You know the vibe, you’ve got a mountain of assignments, a creative project that’s been sitting half-finished for weeks, and your brain decides now is the perfect time to scroll TikTok for an hour.
Sound familiar? Same.
What I’ve learned (through a lot of trial and error) is that being productive is about working smarter, and sometimes even lazier (in the best way).
So, grab your coffee, tea and let’s talk real-life hacks that actually help students and creatives like us get things done without losing our minds.
1. The “Top 3” Rule
Instead of writing a mile-long to-do list, I pick just three main tasks for the day. That’s it. Everything else is a bonus.
Why it works? Your brain feels less overwhelmed, and you actually get things done instead of staring at a giant scary list.
Try this tomorrow: write down your Top 3 tasks, and make peace with ignoring the rest
2. Timer Magic (a.k.a. Pomodoro, but make it chill)
Set a timer for 25 minutes, work on one thing, then take a 5-minute break or try the 50/10, 50 minutes work, 10 minutes pause. It’s like tricking your brain into focusing because it knows freedom is around the corner.
I sometimes use this to bribe myself: “Okay, I’ll work for 25/50 minutes, then I get a snack.” Spoiler: it works.
3.Two-Minute Rule
If it takes less than 2 minutes — reply to that email, file that paper, wash that cup — just do it immediately. Otherwise it piles up like laundry on a chair (and we all know how that ends).
4. Batch the Boring Stuff
Answering emails, scheduling posts, updating files? Don’t scatter them all day. Pick one block of time and batch them. I usually do it on Sundays. It feels like ripping off a Band-Aid instead of death by paper cuts.
5. Theme Your Day
If you’re juggling school + creative projects, try giving certain days a “theme.” Example:
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Monday → admin/errands
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Tuesday → writing/creative work
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Wednesday → studying heavy topics
This way you don’t waste brain energy switching gears a million times a day.
6. Habit Pairing (Sneaky but Effective)
Attach a task you hate to something you already do. Like:
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Review notes while sipping coffee ☕
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Brainstorm ideas while walking 🚶
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Prep art supplies while your playlist runs 🎶
Your brain thinks: “Oh, we’re already here, might as well do the thing.”
7. The “Parking Spot” Trick
When you stop working, leave yourself a “parking spot” — a note about what to do next. Example: “Next step: outline intro paragraph” or “Fill in color for panel 3.”
That way, when you come back, you don’t waste 20 minutes remembering where you left off.
8. Creative Sprints
For creatives especially: set a short sprint (like 15 minutes) to just make something ugly on purpose. Half the time, the pressure drops and your brain unlocks. Perfectionism kills productivity — sprints bring it back to life.
9. Guard Your “Golden Hours”
Are you a morning brain, night owl, or mid-day power player? Figure it out, then schedule your hardest tasks in those golden hours. I’m useless before coffee but weirdly brilliant at 9 p.m. Knowing that changed everything.
10. Rest Counts as Work (Yes, Really)
Here’s your permission slip: naps, walks, and doing nothing are part of the process. Burnt-out brains don’t create masterpieces or pass exams. Rest is maintenance for your most important resource: you.
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Look, you don’t need to do all ten of these tomorrow. Pick one or two, try them out, and see what sticks.
Productivity isn’t about becoming a robot — it’s about designing little systems that work for your life and your brain.
And remember: if you spend a day doing one big thing and resting after? That’s still productive. Don’t let the hustle-culture noise fool you.
You’ve got this — one hack, one day, one step at a time.
💙 If this post resonated with you and you’d like to support my writing, here’s my BMAC page where I share more tools and reflections
