6 Game-Changing Time Management Hacks You Need to Try

Like Jamie Oliver inexplicably locked in a kitchen with access to only one type of seasoning, I can be obsessive over time. 

And to you internet stranger (or more likely my endearingly sweet Mum who reads all my blogs, hi Mum!), I’d say that’s because I recognise its scarcity.

In a cosmic, guy-at-the-party-wearing-flip-flops-trying-to-drop-truth-bombs kinda way but also frighteningly real human level, time is your most valuable resource, hence my obsessive tendencies towards measuring time and trying to work out how best to use it.

That’s why I thought I would waste a bunch of that precious time writing a blog outlining some of the different tech bro time techniques I have tried, in the hopes they can help you reach your full potential and outrun the merciless scythe of time.

Let’s dig in!

Hack #1: The Pomodoro Technique

A classic, just like its pasta namesake, the Pomodoro technique is probably the most widely known and utilised hack on this list, which makes it easy fodder for slackers like me trying to compile a list that ranks highly on Google. 

I can cut myself some slack however, as I frequently use this technique for writing specifically, so I know what I’m talking about when it comes to setting a timer and then doing a bit of work and then stopping when the timer goes off. 

Apologies for the spoiler, I’ll write it out properly. 

The Pomodoro technique works by choosing a task and setting a timer for 25 minutes. Once the timer goes off, you make a note on a piece of paper (to count how many cycles you have done, not just recreationally) and you take a break for 5 minutes away from your task. Every 4 cycles, you take a longer break (anywhere from 15-30 minutes).

The Pomodoro technique's beauty lies in its ability to prevent burnout. It’s relatively short cycles mean you end up feeling refreshed and motivated for longer than if you tried to just flat out work for 4 hours straight. It also inspires a healthy and deserved respect for tomatoes as synonymous with work ethic, something none of the other techniques on this list can say they do.

Hack #2: Prioritization with the Eisenhower Matrix

Productivity isn’t always about doing the most you can.

I’m going to do something a little bit rogue now, a bit out of character for a tech worker with a preternatural obsession with sandals, and quote Steve Jobs: 

“You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”

That’s a cool quote right? As quotes go, it’s probably the best because it’s actually incentivising you to do less. 

It’s like when I heard the Bill Gates quote “I choose a lazy person to do a hard job. Because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” and proceeded to make myself exceedingly employable by watching all of the Sopranos in the course of a week whilst orally replacing my blood with cookie batter.

Whilst you’re welcome for that mental image, I’ll endeavor to get back to the point. 

Saying no is tough. 

So why not use the Eisenhower Matrix to make things a little easier.

The Eisenhower matrix was ‘invented’ by President Eisenhower as a way to organise projects and tasks into four categories by their urgency and importance, which then tells you what you should do with these tasks. 

A real life, actual President has a lot to organise, so you can rest assured this matrix will withstand your incredibly important to-do list items like ‘find funnier phrase than cookie batter in your latest blog’.

I’m going to mention specific tools you can use later, but I’ll give you a spoiler, and tell you that when I’m really stressed out or overwhelmed, I use Notion to create an Eisenhower Matrix, starting with listing out everything I have to do (which is helpful in itself) and then adding tags on their importance and due dates, giving me a ready made order in which to do things. 

Long story short, you should vote for me in any election or socially sanctioned context where voting may be applicable, because I clearly have this whole ‘put things in four boxes’ thing nailed down.

Hack #3: Time Blocking for Clarity and Focus

As I mentioned before, time is your most important asset. Just like money, you don’t want to waste it all on one thing, despite what you may have thought by my extensive Bionicles collection leading to a 12 mile long line of women outside my door imploring me to date them. 

You need to be balanced and rigid with your output, whilst also allowing yourself proper time to reflect and relax, and also do things like exercise and meal prep to keep your mind and body in tip top shape.

Sounds like a lot? That’s where timeboxing can really help.

Timeboxing simply means setting a specific time on which to work on a task, or group of tasks, and sticking to that schedule. Google Calendar is super useful for this, giving you a really visually pleasing way to see your schedule.

I use timeboxing pretty extensively for writing and exercise, and an insider tip is that the exercise part is probably the key to unlocking additional energy where you didn’t think you had any.

Hack #4: The Two-Minute Rule

Want to know my favourite thing in the world (outside of making internet strangers laugh)? It’s when someone cancels plans. Ohhhhhhhhh what a rush that is.

For my birthday, I beg you to make plans with me and then cancel them. I’d be forever indebted to you.

Want to know how to get that kind of rush whilst not completely shunning the entirety of human civilisation?

One way is via The Two Minute Rule. The Two Minute Rule is a devilishly simple time management technique which states that if something on your to-do list takes less than two minutes to complete, you should do it immediately.

That’s it, no fancy matrixes (matrices? matrixi?) and no timing required. If it’s small, just get it fucking done. Super simple, super effective.

Hack #5: The Pareto Principle

This is by far my favourite on this list. 

I wrote in a previous blog about the Pareto Principle’s impact on the amount of work I do on this website and the correlation between that work and overall visitors, but the Pareto Principle states that for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. 

For example, 80% of the reason I find my own stupid jokes funny is because of 20% of the times I have run head first into a patio door because I didn’t see the glass.

Utilising this principle in your day-to-day means a bit of legwork in identifying the 20% of actions/causes you can influence, but once you nail it, it’s probably the quickest hack on this list for pure outcomes, as you can really start to see improvements in learning, productivity and results at a rapid pace once you embrace this philosophy.

Hack #6: Digital Tools for Time Management

Not really a hack, but I was inspired by my own blog post on how I built this site (inspired by myself? Really, that’s where we are? God I hate myself) to share some of the time management software and tools I use to help myself, because I am basically a walking billboard for technology companies at this point.

For tracking overall time spent, I use Clockify, which has a really robust free plan (and amazing collaboration and billing features for things like agency use cases on their paid plans).

To organise my work and to-dos, I use Notion like the good old techie I am, because I find that to-do lists don’t really work well for me, and the use of Kanban boards is much better. If I could run my entire life like a one man software team, I am 90% sure I would reach Nirvana. 

For exercise, I use my body. Joking, I use Strava, but don’t add me on there as I keep all my runs private as the idea of a social networking app built around everyone seeing your running splits makes my skin break out in hives.

And that’s the list! Hopefully, you’ve learned something that may help you in the future, and if not, having a 28 year old white dude rant at you about prioritisation and Notion should hopefully at least give you a sort of weird Silicon Valley dating sim vibe. Creeped myself out! Bye!