If you feel slammed yet end the day wondering what you actually shipped, your meetings are the prime suspect. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index shows calendars filling earlier and later as the “infinite workday” creeps in. At the same time, research published in the MIT Sloan Management Review found that even one meeting-free day can improve autonomy and […]
When your calendar resembles a game of Tetris and your chat pings resemble a stock ticker, protecting deep work can feel selfish. It isn’t. High-impact work depends on extended, distraction-free focus, a point Cal Newport popularized in his work on deep work. Meanwhile, collaboration has increased by 50% or more in recent years, with many […]
You already know how to block your calendar. The challenge is making those blocks survive real life. Between ad hoc meetings, Slack pings, and shifting priorities, the best schedule can crumble by noon. Productivity researcher Cal Newport has long argued that planning every minute is the antidote to reactive work. Organizational psychology supports this, including […]
You’re booking meetings, stuffing tasks, and “managing your calendar”—but still ending each day feeling behind. Your calendar should be your productivity tool, not your tormentor. Below are seven red flags that your calendar is working against you — and what to do about each one. 1. It’s full of back-to-back meetings (no buffer time) When […]
Smartphones have long been portrayed as the ultimate villain by productivity gurus and self-help experts: constant sources of distracting notifications, bottomless scrolling, and digital distractions that derail your goals. Considering that Americans spend, on average, 5 hours and 16 minutes per day on their phones, there could be an argument here. But here’s the cold, hard truth: […]
Few things can derail a productive day faster than a scheduling conflict. When you carefully plan your calendar, two commitments overlap — or worse, you realize you’ve double-booked yourself. In addition to wasting time, conflicts can strain relationships, disrupt projects, and create unnecessary stress. The good news? By using the right systems and increasing awareness, […]
As technology advances, skills are becoming more obsolete at an alarming rate. Every industry, even hobbies, undergoes constant change as technology changes and industries evolve. To remain competitive in your career or simply maintain your brain’s sharpness, you need a reliable way of learning new skills. That’s where the DiSSS Method comes in. The DiSSS […]
What comes to mind when you think about productivity? Are you picturing frantic typing on laptops, jam-packed planners, or endless to-do lists? It’s unlikely that you associate productivity with a short walk. Movement, however, remains one of the simplest and most accessible methods for improving brainpower and time management. Think about it. During a stressful […]
While productivity strategies come and go, two stand out as both prominent yet often misunderstood: time blocking and task batching. On the surface, they seem similar. Both methods involve planning your time, minimizing distractions, and approaching work with a clear intention. However, both methods work differently. And, depending on your approach, one may be more […]
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list, you’re not alone. As a result of today’s always-on culture, it’s easy to overcommit. Moreover, anticipatory stress and anticipatory fatigue can be caused by constantly thinking about our to-do lists. Here’s the thing, though. In most cases, the problem isn’t knowing what to do; it’s figuring […]
