Five productivity tips that actually work

I've tried bullet journals, Pomodoro timers, time-blocking apps, and at least half a dozen productivity books. Most of it didn't stick. Here are the five things that did.

1. Pick three things

Every morning, write down the three things that would make today a win. Not a to-do list — three outcomes. Done before noon, ideally.

2. Batch your meetings

Scatter your meetings across the week and you'll never have a real block of deep work. Push them all to two afternoons.

3. Turn off notifications

All of them. Email, Slack, the lot. Check on your schedule, not theirs.

4. Walk every day

Thirty minutes outside, no headphones. Solves more problems than any productivity app.

5. Sleep earlier than you think you need to

Everything else on this list breaks down without it.