- Tension: With endless to-do lists and constant distractions, it can feel like no productivity method really sticks—leaving you overwhelmed and chasing the next hack that promises results.
- Noise: Productivity culture often glorifies complex systems, color-coded journals, and rigid routines, ignoring the need for a sustainable method that actually fits your real-life rhythm.
- Direct Message: Time Blocking won not because it was flashy—but because it balanced structure and flexibility, helping me focus deeply, set boundaries, and finally work with my time instead of against it.
This article follows the Direct Message methodology, designed to cut through the noise and reveal the deeper truths behind the stories we live.
I’ve spent over a decade juggling projects, teams, and endless to-do lists. In that time, I’ve experimented with just about every productivity system under the sun. Some of them turned me into an organization ninja (for a while, anyway), and others just left me more confused.
But recently, I discovered one system that completely transformed my workflow—so much that it felt like someone flipped a switch on my productivity levels.
Here’s a rundown of the seven systems I tested, plus how I landed on the one that nearly doubled my output.
1. Getting Things Done (GTD)
The Getting Things Done method, created by David Allen, focuses on capturing every single task and idea so you can process them later. You’re supposed to categorize tasks, set up next actions, and regularly review your lists.
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What worked for me: I loved the idea of having a “mind like water” (as Allen calls it). My brain felt less cluttered because every task lived in a clear system.
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What didn’t work: GTD can be time-consuming. You have to keep track of every little detail in different lists, which can become a chore in itself. Plus, if you lose discipline with the system for even a week, things pile up fast.
2. The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix helps you prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. You have four quadrants: Urgent & Important, Important but Not Urgent, Urgent but Not Important, and Not Urgent & Not Important.
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What worked: It was nice to look at my task list and instantly know where to focus. I stopped putting out small fires and started carving out time for big-picture goals.
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What didn’t work: Life isn’t always so neatly divided. Some tasks would jump from low priority to urgent overnight, and I felt guilty shifting tasks around so often.
3. Bullet Journaling
Bullet Journaling is popular among creatives and note-takers. You can customize your journal with daily logs, habit trackers, mood charts—you name it.
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What worked: I liked the flexibility. I could track habits, project goals, and personal reflections all in one place.
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What didn’t work: Because it’s so open-ended, I spent way too much time decorating pages and planning elaborate spreads. My perfectionist side went into overdrive.
4. Eat the Frog
Eat the Frog (inspired by Brian Tracy’s idea) says you should do your most challenging task first thing in the morning. Once that’s done, everything else feels easier.
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What worked: When I actually followed through, my day felt more productive. Knocking out a big task early is like a mental weight off your shoulders.
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What didn’t work: Some days, I didn’t have just “one” big frog but several mid-sized frogs. Then I got stuck trying to figure out which was the biggest frog of all.
5. The Pomodoro Technique
You work in 25-minute blocks (or “Pomodoros”), then take a short break. After four Pomodoros, you take a longer break.
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What worked: The short intervals kept me focused, and I learned to ignore distractions until my break.
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What didn’t work: Some tasks require a longer flow state, and constant breaks can disrupt your train of thought.
6. Deep Work
Inspired by Cal Newport’s book, Deep Work is all about long, uninterrupted blocks of focus. Turn off notifications, lock the door, and immerse yourself in a single task.
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What worked: I produced some of my best work during these deep work sessions. No doubt about it.
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What didn’t work: As an entrepreneur, I’m often on call. Emergencies pop up, teammates have urgent questions, clients need immediate feedback. It’s not always realistic to unplug for hours.
7. Time Blocking—My Unexpected Winner
And here we have it: Time Blocking was the unexpected hero that helped me nearly double my output.
The idea is simple: you divide your day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or category of tasks. For example:
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8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Answer emails and Slack messages
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9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Writing or creative tasks
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11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Break/coffee/snack
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11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Meetings or calls
By creating a structured schedule, you minimize task-switching. Your brain knows exactly what it should be focusing on at any given time. And since each block has a start and end time, you’re less likely to spend three hours on something that should only take one.
Why Time Blocking Worked for Me
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Flexibility: I can adjust my blocks daily or weekly, depending on what’s important at the moment.
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Focus: When I’m in a block, I feel fully committed. Knowing I have dedicated time later for emails or admin tasks helps me stay present.
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Boundaries: Time blocking created healthier work-life boundaries. At the end of the day, I see where my last work block ends and my personal time begins.
I was honestly surprised by how much of a difference it made. For years, I avoided time blocking because it sounded too strict. But it turned out to be the perfect balance of structure and flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Testing so many productivity systems was both enlightening and frustrating. I learned a lot about how I work best—and how I don’t. While each method had its benefits, Time Blocking stood out because it helped me consistently stay focused and organized without going overboard on details.
If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of your schedule, don’t be afraid to try out different productivity hacks until you find the right one for you. And if you haven’t given Time Blocking a shot, trust me—it might just be the unexpected hero you need to double your own output.
