Hello Dev Community, 👋
This week, I’m sharing some time management tips that have greatly impacted my productivity. These aren’t just generic tips; they come straight from my experience as a developer. This is the exact routine I practice every day to stay focused and productive. As we wind down 2024, it's time to prepare for the new coming year and start it on a high note 💪 💪 💪!
Start Your Day with a To-Do List
Begin your day with a list of tasks. This list serves as your map for the rest of the day. Without this map, it's easy to get lost in thousands of lines of code, and by the end of the day, you might wonder what you’ve been doing and achieved, leaving you feeling unproductive.
Manage Your Daily and Long-Term Tasks
Write down your daily tasks in a notebook. After completing each task, put a tick next to it. This gives you a great sense of reward like you’ve accomplished something. If there’s something you cannot work on during the day, record it in a task-management app like Trello or Todoist.
Use the Pomodoro Technique
It's easy to lose track of time while coding, which can harm your health and productivity. The Pomodoro Technique helps by having you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break. This method keeps your focus sharp and prevents burnout. I've been using it for over a decade, and it's been incredible for maintaining high productivity.
Minimize Distractions
Activate the Do Not Disturb mode and put your phone face down when you start your work block. Ignore calls and texts—they can wait until you finish your work block, which is only 25-35 minutes. These days, everyone and every app is screaming for your attention, so minimizing these distractions is crucial.
Take Regular Breaks
Set a timer on your phone for each work block and get up right when the alarm goes off. You may resist and want to work 5 more minutes, but don’t fall into that trap because 5 minutes can easily become 1 hour! When the alarm goes off, get up and go. Take a 5-minute walk.
Do not think about work during your break; allow your mind to relax. Break is break. Work is work. Stepping away for a few minutes can help you see things from a different perspective.
Break Down Complex Tasks
Break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable pieces—this is called divide and conquer. Write them down in your notebook and tackle them one by one. This approach gives you clarity and prevents you from getting overwhelmed.
Let It Go and Come Back Later
If you’re facing a problem you can’t solve after a couple of hours, let it go and come back to it later. Sometimes, giving your brain a break is all you need. Your brain continues to work on problems even when you’re not actively thinking about them.
Learn to Say No
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by taking on too many commitments. Learn to say no to tasks or projects that don’t align with your priorities. Focus on what truly matters to you and your career.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
I want you to follow this simple routine of mine and see how it impacts your focus and productivity:
Start your day by writing down what you need to accomplish.
Work in 30-minute blocks.
Take a 5-minute break. Go for a walk and don't think about work.
Activate the Do Not Disturb mode while working.
Put a tick next to each task as you complete it.
Try it out and let me know how it goes!
WEEKLY WISDOM
Love your job, but don’t fall in love with your company—you never know when they might stop loving you back.
I'd love to hear your thoughts- what are your goals or strategies for starting strong?
What works better for you?
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