#productivity tips

[anheliotrope]

You're struggling to get stuff done? Well, have you tried building a cognitive torture machine to motivate yourself?

[glowettee]

✧・゜: self-discipline doesn't mean hating yourself into action :・゜✧:・゜✧

hey lovelies! ✧

i've been thinking about this a lot lately… how did we all collectively decide that being mean to ourselves was somehow the path to getting things done? like, who started this toxic rumor that self-discipline means internal screaming and punishment? because honestly? i spent years believing that the only way to accomplish anything was through this weird self-bullying technique and it was literally the least effective approach ever.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the wake-up call ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

last semester i hit a wall with my essay project. i had been doing that thing where you stare at your laptop, call yourself lazy in your head, promise to work for 8 straight hours to "make up for it," then get overwhelmed and watch netflix instead. but one night at like 2am (why do all realizations happen at 2am??) i wondered what would happen if i just… stopped being mean to myself about it?

what if self-discipline was actually about being the most understanding friend to yourself instead of the worst drill sergeant?

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ what actually works ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

start ridiculously small, i'm talking embarrassingly tiny steps. want to write that paper? commit to just opening the document and typing a single sentence. need to clean your space? just put away three things. the magic is that once you start, continuing feels so much easier.

create environments that make things easier, not harder. i rearranged my desk so everything i need is within reach and visible. stopped trying to work in my bed (even though it's so comfy) because my brain associates it with sleep and tiktok scrolling.

acknowledge the resistance instead of fighting it. when i feel that "i don't wanna" feeling, i literally say to myself "i hear you, and it makes sense you feel that way. what's one tiny piece we could do?" talking to myself like i'm my own bestie changed everything.

use curiosity instead of judgment. instead of "why am i so lazy?" (which never helps), try "i wonder what's making this hard for me right now?" sometimes the answer surprises you. maybe you're actually just hungry or need better lighting.

build in rest BEFORE you crash. i started scheduling actual breaks before i felt desperate for them, and somehow i get more done? it's like my brain knows it's not going to be held hostage forever.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the permission slip approach ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

my favorite technique lately has been what i call "permission slip productivity" where i literally write myself little notes giving permission to:

work imperfectly (first drafts can be messy!)

take breaks without guilt

change my approach if something isn't working

celebrate small progress instead of only the end result

acknowledge when something is genuinely difficult

there's something so powerful about physically writing yourself permission. it sounds silly but it works because it interrupts that mean inner voice that's been programmed into us.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ the results speak for themselves ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

the wildest part? i actually get MORE done now that i've stopped the self-hate productivity method. turns out your brain works better when it's not being constantly criticized? who knew!

my essay (very big essay) got finished early. my room stays cleaner. i actually enjoy my study sessions now instead of dreading them. and most importantly, i don't feel that heavy cloud of shame following me around everywhere.

self-discipline isn't forcing yourself through misery, it's creating systems that work WITH your natural tendencies, not against them. it's about making things easier, not harder. it's about treating yourself like someone you actually care about.

and maybe the real glow-up isn't just checking things off your to-do list, but doing it without sacrificing your relationship with yourself in the process.

what about you? have you been trying to hate yourself into productivity? might be time for a gentler approach. you deserve that kindness from yourself. (and honestly? it just works better.)

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[honeytonedhottie]

how im preparing for 2025⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🍬💕

MY MANIFESTING LIST ;

every year i always make a list of the things that i wanna manifest in 2025, i dont always complete it in the first sitting bcuz i add onto it as the year progresses but i like to have a basic framework of everything that im manifesting in that year.

also along with my manifest list for 2025, i also create a 2025 vision board because it motivates me and reminds me of all the amazing things that im going to experience in 2025.

REFLECTING ON THIS YEAR ;

so in my notion i have a section called the 'monthly digest' where every single month i break down the 4 weeks of the month and everything that i did in them in relation to my goals. after every month i write a little summary.

so with that being said i have a LOT to go back to and reflect on so that i can see what i accomplished this year and what i can do better in the next year. this reflection system that i have is so helpful so i'll set one up for 2025 so that i can also have that at my disposal.

BREAKING UP THE NEXT YEAR ;

i break up my year into 4 quarters (each lasting 3 months) that way i can see my year broken up and i have a clear plan and i can be organized. quarter one (january - march) quarter two (april - june) so on and so forth. and after every quarter i do a little analysis.

something else that i wanna try for next year is giving myself quarterly themes. like for each quarter of the year i'll focus on a different aspect of myself, i think that could be fun…💬🎀

PREPARATIONS ;

im wrapping up some things like my projects, assignments and things of that nature so that i can go into the next year on a clean slate. furthermore im making plans for new years eve, and january and making sure that i've already set some things in motion.

all in all, with everything in motion and everything set in place im going into the new year INCREDIBLY confident 💕📔

[messyoungie]

HABITS TO DROP WHEN GETTING YOUR LIFE TOGETHER

➝ CREATING UNAUTHENTIC & UNINTENTIONAL GOALS

the biggest mistakes you can make when creating goals is making goals that aren’t true to you and making goals for the sake of making goals.

it can be so exciting when you decide to get your life together. I mean, of course it is! there are so many possibilities! but when you start planning, don’t just write down the goals you see circulating on social media. what works for someone else may not be what works for you. don’t make your goals and habits based on what’s trending or popular in the self improvement community.

think about what you actually need for a minute. what is actually necessary? your goals and habits aren’t here to be glamorous, they’re here to help regardless of how simple or small they are. the point of thinking up new habits is to improve your life, so be intentional with your goals. what will practicing this habit or achieving this goal give you?

when you’re first starting out, your goals don’t have to be anything too crazy or intense. for example, let’s say you want to become a pink pilates girl and get into fitness. you shouldn’t jump right into it and say your goal is to work out for 2 hours 5 times a week. let’s consider some factors first. have you been living a completely sedentary kind of lifestyle? then try looking for exercises that’ll wake up dormant muscles. your goal should then be to repeat those exercises for how ever many times a week. then you’ll work your way up from there. (it’s important we don’t harm the body, so be mindful with your fitness goals.) what about your schedule? how much time can you actually give to working out? can your body even endure working out for that long?

anyways, hopefully you see what I mean. when creating goals, it’s not about having the “aesthetic” habits and goals that you may see on tiktok or tumblr. it’s about doing what is actually good for you and what’ll help you the most with where you are now in your journey. so please put some thought into your goals and where they’ll take you. creating unauthentic and unintentional habits will also mean you’ll be less likely to keep practicing them after a few times. at the end of the day, that doesn’t help you achieve anything and you’re left with a broken promise you’ve made to yourself. which leads me to my next point…

➝ NOT KEEPING YOUR WORD WHEN IT COMES TO YOU

let me start off by saying this— if you don’t even listen to yourself, why should anyone else? (harsh, ik)

a HUGE reason as to why people have no self confidence is because they don’t listen to themselves or keep the promises they’ve made to themselves. if you have no self trust, how could you have any self confidence?

now, building discipline can definitely be a challenge so if you want to start somewhere easy, nip your false promises in the bud and stop yourself from making them. that’s what I did when I was first trying to stop this habit. when my addiction to tiktok was at its peak I would always tell myself the usual “ten more minutes and then I’ll stop scrolling.” when I wanted to stop making false promises, I knew I had no control or discipline so the only thing I could do is be real with myself. I’d cut myself off when I heard myself say “five more minutes” because I knew it wasn’t going to happen. if I wasn’t going to quit my bad habit, then the least I could do is be honest with myself.

the things that you are constantly telling yourself, whether they’re mindless or intentional, matter.

so, stop telling yourself seemingly harmless lies. unnecessary false promises that you know are false will only fill you with tension.

➝ SEEING FAILURE AS AN INVITATION TO GIVE UP

this applies to so many things.

you wanted to be consistent with your reading goals but haven’t read a chapter in a week? dont give up. don’t tell yourself that being consistent is too hard for you, that since you missed a week this habit isn’t for you. make your goal a bit easier or give yourself another chance.

you wanted to spend more time doing art but it’s not turning out how you expected? dont give up. dont give yourself the title of a “bad artist” and never pick up a pencil again. move forward, give yourself another chance.

you wanted to quit your Instagram addiction but after a couple days you went back to scrolling for hours on ig reels? Don’t give up. dont tell yourself that this addiction isn’t gonna go away, don’t go back to the bad habit because you slipped up. give yourself another chance.

I think a lot of us (myself included) tend to give up at the first sign of failure, instead of reminding ourselves to keep going. it’d be wonderful if you could get it right on the first try. if you could read ten books a month right away after not reading a book in three years. if you could watch hours worth of tutorials and sketch the perfect portrait on the first attempt. if you could uninstall instagram for good and never feel the urge to go back. that would all be so amazing, but it’s not always the reality. expect the best from yourself and do the best you can, but also give yourself some compassion. keep in mind that you won’t always do things perfectly right away and that’s one thousand percent okay. when you feel yourself slipping up on your brand new goal, don’t end it there at the first failure. allow yourself to move forward, because the only other direction to move is backwards.

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆

𝟭. high quality sleep ( 💤 )

never put your sleep on the back burner, 8 hours are not even enough, the younger you are the more you need sleep, especially if you are a woman. adult women generally need to sleep 9/10 hours a night, obviously the amount of sleep needed for rest depends from person to person, but always try to have a good, consistent sleep at night. if you ever think about sacrificing your sleep to study and/or procrastinate, know that you're only hurting yourself in the long run. without adequate rest, you will not be able to function properly and perform at your best the next day.

𝟮. eat nutritious meals ( 🍜 )

when was the last time you ate a nutritious, warm, homemade meal, honey? you should eat at least (AT LEAST) 3 times a day a real, cooked, warm meal that provide you with the proteins, fats and sugars your body needs to function normally. throw away packaged and over-processed snacks, they don't meet your energy needs and are simply full of empty calories that will make you feel sick and don't help your beautiful brain to function. eat lots of protein, which helps you build the muscle mass that keeps you healthy (i'll post about that) and healthy fats which keep your beautiful brain working – the brain is mostly made up of fats so don't be afraid of them! the important thing is to eat healthy fats that are good for our body.

𝟯. less is more ( 🧩 )

do less to achieve more. if you've ever made an absolutely unrealistic to-do list, raise your hand. overwhelmed by a thousand things to do we will never be able to make consistent progress in an area that interests us. it is not possible to do everything all the time and do it well, inevitably our energy runs out, our level of attention drops and we end up doing a little bit of everything badly. not all tasks can have priority, choose what to focus on and stick with it.

𝟰. be gentle with yourself ( 🌾 )

you're really giving it your all, why be so hard on yourself? the things you have done, the goals you have achieved, you should be proud of yourself and smile about it. demanding too much from your body will not lead to anything except burnout, remember that you are a person and not a machine, that you are not made to make every single hour of your day productive, and that it is okay to rest, because only thanks to rest you can face your day with the necessary energy.

[slavic-roots-western-mind]

Things that can make your student life much easier

Having been a college student for 4 years now (crazy!), here are some things that made my life much much easier.

Earplugs. Especially the loop earplugs, they are a gamechanger.

Laptop stand Fantastic as it creates more space and can help with better posture as your eye-level becomes more level with the screen.

Book Stand for your desk This is especially useful if you're using a notebook, a textbook and a laptop but have limited space for all your study tools.

Electric Blanket A lifechanger especially in this cold winter.

Air purifier

A pen/pencil jar

Sleep mask. Sleep quality 100% will improve with this.

Taking advantage of the student discounts available. To date I still sometimes find myself surprised by discovering just how many places offer student discounts.

A sick-day pack This can simply be an extra packet of tea, meds, 4 cans of canned chicken noodle soup and throat lozenges, but it will definitely come in handy if you get ill and need something to tide you over until you feel better.

[dewinthestars]

How to Romanticize Studying Alone & Actually Stay Focused 📄‧₊˚🖇️✩ ₊˚🎧⊹♡

Idk about you all, but I love being around others when i’m studying, but others either aren’t studying or you keep yapping until you realize whoops! Hours went by!

1. Set the Vibe with Music or Ambience

• Lo-fi beats, piano instrumentals, or soft indie songs? Pick a playlist that makes studying feel cozy.

• Try a background café ambience, library sounds, or even rain noises for extra ✨ focus energy

• Noise-canceling headphones? A game changer.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

2. Create a Dedicated Study Spot

• Even if it’s just clearing off your desk or making a cozy corner with a blanket and pillows.

• Light a candle, grab a warm drink, and pretend you’re in an aesthetic study montage.

• If your usual spot feels meh, try moving locations—your brain loves novelty!

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

3. Romanticize Your Study Materials

• Use colorful pens, cute sticky notes, and make your notes look good (but don’t get lost in ✨over-decorating✨).

• Handwrite key points to help your brain process info better.

• If digital notes are more your thing, organize them neatly with a color-coded system.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

4. Use a Timer to Stay on Track

• The Pomodoro method (25 minutes studying, 5-minute break) keeps you focused without burnout.

• Try “study with me” videos to feel like you have a virtual study buddy.

• Don’t trust yourself? Use a website blocker to keep distractions away.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

5. Romantic Study Breaks Only

• Stand up, stretch, make tea, or look out the window and daydream like you’re in a Studio Ghibli movie.

• Avoid doom-scrolling—your break should feel refreshing, not like a black hole of social media.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

6. Make it a Solo Study Date

• Wear comfy clothes, make your favorite drink, and treat your study session like an act of self-care.

• Reward yourself after! A good meal, a cozy movie, or a walk outside = motivation to keep going.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

7. Remind Yourself: You’re Romanticizing Growth

Studying alone isn’t boring—it’s you investing in yourself, your knowledge, and your future. Even the small efforts add up. Keep going, and soon you’ll look back at this moment with pride. 🤍

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

Reposts, like, comments and shares super appreciated 🤍🤍

[disparition]

herbie hancock, who has been one of my musical heroes since i was a teenager, recently confessed that his latest album was delayed 15 years because he “fell down too many youtube rabbit holes” and that honestly makes me feel a lot better about myself

[writethatdown]

if you are someone who struggles with motivating yourself to attend to your chores, take care of yourself, or feel drained by the thought of hoarding so much responsibilities, i want to share a tip.

if you happen to be standing for some reason, try to complete all tasks that you usually do up standing. so for me, once i am on my feet, i do a sequence of activities like brushing my teeth, washing my face, ironing my clothes, brushing my hair, organizing my stuff for college, making my bed etc. without taking any break and i am able stack around 5 tasks comfortably. also, once the momentum is built, it gets easier!

similarly, if i am at my desk, sitting, i usually have my laptop there and always some work that needs to get done for college, admin or miscellaneous purposes. i try to do as much as i can.

this is particularly helpful for me because i am a big bedrot. especially when i am in pain or uncomfortable in general.

i just thought maybe it will help someone out there. this same hack might go in vain for me in a few weeks lol and i am just always figuring it out to push myself to be a functioning adult.

anyways, i hope u r taking care ♡

[xolunelle]

Coming soon..!

X's and O's, Elle.

[tokyoviee]

important things to realise before it's too late for efficient studying.

1. decrease the length of per study time. (!!)

this is so important and as a senior i’m stressing about this because i’ve tried to sit in front of my desk for 9 - 12 hours straight studying because it's efficient when it's not. break down your study session into multiple parts.

for every 30 minutes of study session take a 10 minute break. study for an hour? take a break for 20 minutes. drink water every 10 - 15 minutes and keep yourself hydrated.

2. Increase in the number of study sessions per day

instead of studying once a day for a long time, try to study in the morning since it's active hour for the brain. try to write or complete notes in the afternoon/ evening and always try to revise before bed. no writing. no mugging up. just quick glance at what you studied this morning.

3. wake up early

to study effectively, try to get up early so that you have enough time to complete your studies in the morning. After waking from a good night's sleep, your brain is well-rested so you can focus, understand and remember information more easily, as opposed to studying at night when you are more likely to feel tired. as much as a night owl i am, I can't deny this is useful.

4. Schedule and prioritise your tasks.

If you have an upcoming test or you want to finish a certain amount of your studies by a certain date, schedule your calendar accordingly. Ensure that you plan every hour of every day, week and month to achieve your study goals. it's fine to procrastinate sometimes. but don't make it a habit !!

5. learning style.

you don't always have to read and cram the topics, TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM, find a connecting link between each topic and subtopics so you know the next or previous things related to a particular part of your topic.

6. schedule for tests and exams.

for instance, if you are trying to gain an in-depth understanding of a topic, you are going to benefit from studying well ahead of time, whereas if you are studying for a test, it is useful to study a couple of days before the exam.

exam? study 1 - 2 weeks before

test? study 3 days before

7. difficulty in remembering topics?

When it has been a while since you studied something or solved a problem, revisit it and practise it again. This can refresh your memory and allow you to retain the information for long periods.

After you have read and understood a topic, it can be helpful to reiterate it to someone else and let them ask questions or point out any mistakes you made. This is a great way to revise and reflect on your own understanding of a subject.

[glowettee]

✧ how i stay productive during summer break (while still having fun!) ✧

hey lovelies! ✨

summer break is finally here and honestly? it's my favorite time to both relax and get things done. i know that sounds contradictory but trust me, finding that sweet balance between productivity and fun is totally possible! after years of either doing absolutely nothing or burning myself out, i've finally found my perfect summer rhythm.

first things first: the morning routine ✨

i've learned that my day flows so much better when i start it intentionally. i wake up around 8 or 9 (not too early because we deserve some extra sleep!), make my bed immediately (small win!), and spend 15 minutes journaling before checking my phone. this tiny habit has literally changed everything for me.

my summer morning essentials:

iced coffee with oat milk and a tiny bit of vanilla

a cute journal that makes me excited to write in it

10 minutes of stretching by my window

a super quick skincare routine (sunscreen is non-negotiable!)

creating a flexible structure 🤍

the secret to summer productivity is having just enough structure without feeling trapped. i divide my days into three parts:

morning: productive focus time (2-3 hours max) afternoon: flexible time for errands, friends, or projects evening: pure relaxation and fun

this way, i never feel like i'm missing out or falling behind. the key is being realistic about what you can actually accomplish in a day. i used to make these impossible to-do lists and then feel awful when i couldn't finish them.

my productivity non-negotiables:

i always make sure to do at least one productive thing each day, even if it's small. some of my favorites:

reading 20 pages of a book

organizing one small area of my room

working on a creative project for 30 minutes

learning something new for my blog

planning content or taking photos

balancing productivity with summer fun ✨

here's my little secret: schedule your fun just like you schedule your work! this sounds silly but it actually helps me look forward to both. some of my favorite summer activities that feel refreshing but don't derail my productivity:

morning walks with an audiobook

afternoon picnics where i can also read or brainstorm

coffee shop work dates with friends

sunset swims after a productive day

weekend day trips that recharge my creativity

my favorite productivity tools:

a paper planner (something about writing things down just works better for me)

the forest app to stay off my phone when focusing

aesthetic notion templates for organizing my projects

time blocking in my calendar with cute colors

lo-fi summer playlists that help me concentrate

remembering the why 🤍

summer isn't just about getting things done or having the perfect instagram moments. it's about growing, reflecting, and creating memories that will make you smile in december when it's freezing outside. productivity should support your joy, not replace it!

i've found that my happiest summer days are when i accomplish something meaningful in the morning and then have the freedom to be spontaneous in the afternoon and evening. balance isn't perfect every day, and that's okay too.

what are your favorite ways to stay productive during summer break? i'd love to hear your tips too!

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[honeytonedhottie]

aspects to focus on when focusing on yourself⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🍡

MENTAL ;

your mental health is always the most important at the end of the day so make sure that your taking good care of it! journal to keep your head space not cluttered. write down your feelings, goals, and ideas. ways to focus on your mental include

proper rest

shadow work

meditating

if your religious, prayer

RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF ;

your relationship with yourself is also extremely important because your the only one with you 24/7 so get RIGHT with urself. if u can't love you then u have no business trying to love someone else.

give yourself compliments

self concept work

be gentle with yourself

PAMPERING ;

when you look good you feel good so make sure that your taking proper care of urself and like i mentioned in a previous post, treat urself like your own favorite doll. take care of ur skin hair and nails and give your body the tender love and care that u deserve.

SETTING GOALS ;

its no fun being stagnant and not moving forward. i find that when u have no goals, you have nothing to work towards and a life without goals or things to do is a boring life to me. i've already created a post with goal ideas if u dont rly know where to start or u dont have something specific that ur working towards, WHICH IS TOTALLY OK BTW. as long as ur not drifting aimlessly.

EDUCATION ;

apply yourself and pls try in school!! focusing on ur education can do nothing but benefit you. so pls take it seriously, you're responsible for your grades so take responsibility and pride yourself on them. AND when u do get a grade that ur proud of, reward yourself for it bcuz u absolutely deserve it.

buy yourself something that you've been wanting or something that u think is pretty

treat yourself to a fun little beverage

praise yourself, cuz ur so good

[allaboutthemoonlight]

How to Maximize Your Productivity Living with Limited Time

Hello, friends! Today's post is a little longer, but it's something I felt I needed to share.

We all have different commitments—school, work, hobbies, etc.—and in today's fast-paced world, our schedules are overflowing, leaving little room for us to breathe. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and struggle with the constant juggle of work and obligations, leaving many of us feeling perpetually busy and struggling to find balance in our lives.

So, this week, I wanted to talk about time management and productivity, specifically task management systems that will help you efficiently plan out your life and find time for absolutely everything.

Over the last two months, I've experimented with a plethora of different productivity and task management systems and want to share five strategies that will help you maximize your productivity and have time for all the things you love.

Embrace slow productivity

This is probably my favorite tip I’ve ever encountered and felt compelled to share.

After listing to a podcast hosted by Jordan Harbinger and Cal Newport where they talked about shifting mindsets concerning the work we’re doing, my outlook on productivity has changed.

Slow productivity is founded on the idea of “resourcing your work so it garners a sense of fulfillment rather than leaving you feeling overwhelmed”. To really embrace slow productivity is means not over-loading your plate

That can be difficult because we’ve been conditioned to believe that beibusy and doing more is a sign of progress; however, it’s important to understand that doing less things =/ accomplishing less goals. In fact doing fewer things often makes our work more sustainable, allowing us to work at a natural pace and pay more attention to quality instead of quantity.

This is probably my favorite tip I've ever encountered and felt compelled to share. After listening to a podcast hosted by Jordan Harbinger and Cal Newport where they talked about shifting mindsets concerning the work we're doing, my outlook on productivity has changed.

Slow productivity is founded on the idea of "resourcing your work so it garners a sense of fulfillment rather than leaving you feeling overwhelmed." To really embrace slow productivity means not overloading your plate.

That can be difficult because we've been conditioned to believe that being busy and doing more is a sign of progress. However, it's important to understand that doing fewer things does not equal accomplishing fewer goals. In fact, doing fewer things often makes our work more sustainable, allowing us to work at a natural pace and pay more attention to quality instead of quantity.

Here are some steps to help you embrace slow productivity:

Prioritization: Identify the most important tasks or goals and focus on them first. Emphasize quality over quantity and aim to produce meaningful results rather than simply checking items off a list.

Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Personally, this has helped make tasks feel less overwhelming and helped me maintain focus and momentum.

Set Realistic Expectations: Setting realistic expectations is crucial. Understand the time you have and what you can accomplish within it to avoid overcommitting, particularly to tasks that don't align with your priorities.

Finding a planning system that work for you

Effectively managing your time requires a solid organizational framework. The planning system you choose plays a crucial role in maximizing your productivity. This means finding the right digital or tactile analog tool that works for you.

Digital Tools: There is a crazy amount of digital planning tools available that comprise different features such as to-do lists, task and project managers, and progress trackers. I’m slightly biased here, but apps like Notion, TickTick, obsidian, Trello, or Asana are good for organizing tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress on a project. Additionally, using a calendar app such as Google Calendar, outlook or, Fantastical can you schedule your time effectively and avoid overcommitting.

Pen and Paper: If you’re someone who prefers the simplicity and tactile experience of traditional pen and paper planners, processes such as bullet journaling or simply using a journal to keep note of all your commitments offers a flexible system for organizing tasks, events, and notes in a customizable format. One perk about using pen and paper is that it offers a level of permanence that can’t be found in digital tools. Once you write something down (depending on the tool you write with) it’s permanent.

Hybrid Approach: You can also combine both of these methods to create an experience that works for you. For example, you can use a digital calendar while also keeping a bullet journal as a task manger or place to reflect.

Personally, I find that the hybrid approach works best for me.

Time blocking

Time blocking works because it provides a structured approach to managing your time effectively.

Time blocking is the process of dividing your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or activities—allowing you to minimize distractions and maintain focus on the task at hand.

Here’s what I’ve found to be the best way to implement time blocking:

Identify Priorities: Start by identifying your most important tasks and goals for the day or week. These are the activities that align with your overall objectives, values, and contribute to meaningful progress.

Choose Time Slots: Next, choose specific time slots in your schedule for each task or activity. It’s crucial to be realistic about the amount of time needed for each task, and consider factors such as your peak productivity hours and natural energy levels.

Time blocking may seem antithetical to flexibility. However, regular review and adjustment is a good way to make modifications in response to changing priorities or interruptions.

<3 Luna

[firewalkwithmme]

⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ – productivity tips and goals

all the time i find myself feeling unmotivated and unfocused, and my goal of the year is to improve my productivity in order to keep up my academics and to improve overall mental health. some reminders and actions I am implementing into my daily life to achieve these goals include:

౨ৎ don't use your phone as soon as you wake up. i have a habit of doing this to help me wake up, but i feel much more refreshed as i start my day without prolonged use of my phone.

౨ৎ read in the mornings. i like to start my day in a relaxing way, and one of the best ways is to wake up early to have a cup of tea or coffee while reading a book. i know this doesn't work for everyone as there are many people who prefer to start their day as soon as they wake up, but personally, this is one of the best things for me as it also allows me to keep on top of my reading goals!

౨ৎ do the hardest task first. i have a tendency to put off the items on my to-do list that are the most daunting or the ones i'm least excited about. doing those tasks first is so so helpful, because not only is your mind fresh and ready to tackle harder things at the start of the day, but the rest of the day is so much more enjoyable knowing that the biggest item on your to-do list has been checked off already.

౨ৎ schedule your study time and take breaks. this is something that i want to start doing more, as i find it very helpful when i do. i like to break up my day into short periods designated to certain tasks or assignments. i find my focus starts to drop off after about an hour and a half, so it's great to take short breaks in between sessions. often, the pomodoro method is useful for me.

౨ৎ study in different areas. i find i like a change of scenery when i move from one task to another, because i can't sit still for long. i like to alternate between my desk, my living room, the different libraries on campus, and a few cafes in my area. it's also great when your study areas are in different locations, because a short walk and some fresh air can serve as a lovely break.

౨ৎ leave your phone in another room while you study. my phone distracts me to absolutely absurd amounts, and it's no secret that i'm addicted to it. it really is those damn phones. this is something i need to work on more, leaving my phone away from my workspace so i am less distracted. it's also refreshing to go the extra step and leave your phone at home when going out if you can - i've done this a few times and want to try doing it more this year.

౨ৎ something is always better than nothing. this is a saying i like to use on particularly hard days when i struggle to get anything done. it's just a small reminder that even if you have 5 things on your list and you're feeling overwhelmed and frozen (executive disfunction, anyone?) that even if you complete one page of a fifteen page reading, that's still one less page that you have to read tomorrow and it is still an accomplishment.

౨ৎ go to your damn classes. it's so cold outside right now. walking to an 8:30 am lecture in the wind and snow sounds like the worst possible thing that could ever happen. self-discipline is possibly one of my worst skills at the moment, so i get it. but just go, because the more you skip the more it becomes a habit (speaking from experience). going and getting the lecture over with is relieving, and it helps you stay caught up in the course. go to class!

in 2025, i am incorporating these into my day-to-day study routine in the interest of becoming more productive and more content!