Forget the Norm: 10 Offbeat Productivity Hacks You Should Be Using

Have you ever found yourself staring at a mountain of tasks, wondering if you should hustle harder or simply throw your damn to-do list out the window and just give up? There are no magic wands to wave, but fear not! Instead of resorting to extreme measures (like becoming a hermit or taking up interpretive dance), we’re here to explore some offbeat productivity hacks that will have you working less while getting more done.

From the bizarrely effective to the downright weird, these hacks will help you think outside the box and transform your work routine into a well-oiled, if slightly eccentric, machine.

Create a Power Hour: Dedicate one hour per day to deep work where no distractions are allowed.

It's just an hour. What could you possible get done in an hour? Well, as it turns out, a ton! We long for an extended productivity session, those 8-hour stretches where we accomplish so much a feel really proud of ourselves, but in reality we spend entirely more time trying to make time than we do tackling our mission. Set a timer, 60 minutes and don't let anything get in your way. Do it again tomorrow. And the next day! It's manageable, it's effective, and you'll surprise yourself with the results.

Start with Gratitude: Begin your day by writing down three things you're grateful for to shift your mindset positively before diving into tasks.

Every day is a blank slate and setting the tone early is an important method to maintaining a good mindset. There are no parameters here, just 3 things. That's 3 sentences, 3 pages, whatever fits into your day. But doing this in the morning will frame the rest of your day and give you some perspective on the good as you tackle your challenges.

Treat Yourself Like a Plant: Take regular "water and sunlight" breaks—get outside for fresh air or hydrate frequently.

Forget "the grind" for a few minutes and go stand outside. Take a deep breath, let the sun warm your face, listen to the birds in the trees and stay hydrated. There are too many physical and psychological benefits to even get into, but you are guaranteed to improve your mood and mental state, clear your mind, and stay ready for whatever else your day holds.

Use the Pomodoro Technique with a Twist: Pair your work sessions with something enjoyable—like listening to a podcast or an audiobook during breaks.

The Pomodoro Technique involves setting a timer and tackling a stretch of uninterrupted work until the time is up, followed by a break. These productive stretches are important, but the breaks are just as crucial in maintaining a good flow. I like to listen to a good audiobook, something mentally stimulating but enjoyable, instead of just waiting for my next stretch of work. Whatever you're into: a true crime podcast, and TED Talk, a heavy metal album, it's a time to fill with whatever suits you.

Try "Inversion Thinking": Rather than focusing on what you should do, think about what you shouldn't do to avoid distractions and inefficiency.

We gain perspective by looking at things from an alternate angle. If your typical self-motivation strategy is to focus on your goals and what you need to do to accomplish them, try writing a list of all the things that could derail your progress. Tell yourself what actions would prevent you from achieving your dreams, and if this is your usual strategy, flip it and think in an action-oriented way.

Change Your Environment Frequently: Switch workspaces or even rearrange your desk to refresh your brain and spark new ideas.

Have you ever rearranged the furniture in your living room and felt that bizarre sense of newness while your in the same room, surrounded by the same stuff as yesterday? It challenges your routines and opens your mind to different possibilities without actually making any big changes to your life. Change your work environment, rearrange things, stand up, open a window, try working with lo-fi hip hop beats playing gently in the background. I do this frequently and always see things a little differently each time.

Work with Music That has no Lyrics: Non-vocal music can stimulate concentration without distracting you with words.

A co-worker put me onto "lo-fi hip hop beats" and it was a real game changer. I love music, although the thing I love most about music is the words, the ideas, the meaning behind the songs. But when I'm trying to work that stuff just crushes my focus and kills my momentum! Having some chill beats in the background gives me something to groove to, makes the time more enjoyable, and allows me to be laser-focused on my task. Whether it's Mozart or Dubstep, you decide what suits your mood, your task and your mindset.

Try the "No-Zero Days" Rule: No matter how small, complete one productive thing each day to maintain momentum.

I cannot say enough about the power of momentum, and I will go to great lengths to keep a streak alive for no other reason that to tell myself that I have kept the streak alive. If I have a list of tasks to accomplish and have a day where I don't cross off a single thing, the next day seems a lot easier to skip as well. Whether you knock out 20 things off your list or just one, it's a win as long as it isn't a zero. And at the very minimum, doing only one thing a day, that's 30 accomplishments to be proud of at the end of the month.

Set Micro-Deadlines: Break tasks into even smaller timeframes to create a sense of urgency without the pressure.

Big tasks can feel daunting, which can lead to procrastination. With something as simple as reading a book I will often look at the time and tell myself I need to finish this page before the minute changes. Why? Because it focuses my mind. I will tell myself "Shit, I have 6 minutes to vacuum the living room!" and get it done in 4 minutes, but without the arbitrary deadline it could have taken me 20 minutes just to get motivated to get started. The best part is that it's a personal challenge and nobody cares if you don't make the deadline, but the false sense of urgency is a wonderful motivator.

Work in Reverse: Start with the hardest task first, then enjoy the ease of ticking off smaller tasks afterwards.

Many of us default to putting off the tough stuff. I did that for years, and this sense of dread always hung over my head and I checked off smaller and easier tasks, inching progressively closer to the one that I dreaded. Now I do it in reverse. What is the hardest, scariest, crappiest thing on your list? Dive straight in and kick its ass without a second thought! There hasn't been a single case where I regretted doing this. You'll finish the tough stuff and everything else is easy street, allowing you to enjoy the remaining tasks.

Use the 2-Minute Rule: Is a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately to avoid buildup.

You can spare two minutes. I don't know you or how busy you are, but I know that you can spare two minutes. No matter what task comes up, ask yourself: "Will this take less than two minutes?" and if the answer is yes, get it done. It's a gift to your future self and takes huge bites out of your future headaches with minimal effort.

Productive Procrastination: If you're avoiding one task, do something productive that is related to the task that you're avoiding.

We all procrastinate. It's human nature and it's inevitable to some degree, but we can steer that instinct in a way that moves our goals forward instead of holding us back. If I'm supposed to be working out but feel an insatiable urge to scroll my phone instead, I'll watch a video about workout ideas. I'll either get some motivation or a new idea to try out, so that wasted time isn't necessarily wasted. If I'm in the middle of an art project and I'm putting off starting the next section, I'll pick up an unrelated art book and flip through it for inspiration.

Stay organized and focused with this productivity Calendar Enhancer, taking your organization game to another level with space for your notes, goals, lists, tasks, dreams and brilliant ideas. Use it with any calendar you choose, or without one.

A standard wall calendar is a great start, but it’s missing the tools you need to truly conquer your day. And while calendar apps on your phone are handy, do you really want to spend even more time glued to a screen?

Click here to find out more!