Let’s be real… Procrastination sometimes gets the better of us, and staying wrapped up in a blanket sounds much more inviting than actually doing the grind. That’s where these lazy girl productivity hacks come to the rescue.
You can still be productive even when you are a master procrastinator. A lot of it boils down to one concept: self-discipline. However, discipline isn’t a skill you can master overnight. Therefore, I want to focus on productivity hacks rather than self-discipline today.
Let’s jump into these low-effort hacks that won’t drain your energy.
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7 Easy Lazy Girl Productivity Hacks
1. Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that essentially encourages short sprints of focus. It helps you stay attentive and productive without risking burnout.
Interesting fact: The technique was created by Francesco Cirillo in the late ‘80s. The word ‘pomodoro’ means tomato in Italian, and was named after the little tomato-shaped kitchen timers of the era.
How does it work?
- Pick a task you want to get done.
- Set a timer for 25 minutes.
- Work on the task with zero distractions.
- When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break and grab a coffee or doom-scroll TikTok.
- Repeat the cycle 4 times, then take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
2. Apply Habit Stacking to Your Life
Habit stacking is a productivity trick that helps you build new habits without completely changing your routine (or getting bored). The idea is to stack a new habit on top of an already existing one so it feels more natural.
This concept was introduced by James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. And here are a couple of examples of how it works:
- Drink a glass of water when you scroll Instagram
- Plan your day while you drink your morning coffee
- Lay out the next day’s clothes while you get dressed
- (Or my personal favorite) Do stretches while you wait for the kettle to boil
3. The 5 More Rule
The 5 More Rule is my go-to for being a little extra productive. It is not about pushing yourself to burnout, but rather teaching yourself discipline and resilience. And it is weirdly satisfying.
I have no idea if this concept exists in an official capacity. It is just a rule I came up with when I had to transition from a procrastinator to a self-disciplined procrastinator.
Here’s how it works:
- Whenever you feel like giving up, do 5 more.
- Done reading? Read 5 more pages.
- About to turn off your computer? Work 5 more minutes.
- Workout nearly over? Do 5 more pushups.
It is all about tricking your brain.
4. The Dopamine Behind To-Do Lists
There is nothing as satisfying as checking off tasks. Yeah, this isn’t a wow concept on my lazy girl productivity hacks. However, it is a low-energy task that will most definitely motivate you.
How does it work? I think you know, lol.
- Create a to-do list for the day while drinking your morning coffee (habit stacking, see what I did there)
- Bonus tip: Have your list in order of importance. Your most crucial/dreading task should shine in the number one position.
- Tick off the tasks as you go and enjoy the little dopamine rush
5. The 5-Minute Rule
The 5-Minute Rule isn’t to be confused with the 5 More Rule. The 5-Minute Rule is for when you look at your to-do list with that “Yeah, not today” attitude. Girl, I’ve been there! This rule is a little brain hack that helps you get moving.
How does it work?
- Just start. Start whatever task you are dreading and keep at it for 5 minutes.
- You are most likely not going to stop. See, starting is the hard part. Keep going? That follows automatically.
I’ve heard this concept from Mel Robbins years ago, and it changed my life as a procrastinator. Give it a go, and let me know if it works for you.
6. One Non-Negotiable Rule
A non-negotiable is one task on your daily to-do list that has to be completed. No excuses. See this as your daily dose of being ‘that girl’.
Why does it work?
- It keeps you from feeling overwhelmed
- It builds resilience
- Prevents burnout
- And it will make you feel productive even when lazy on low-energy days.
7. Eat Your Frog
Relax, I’m not saying become French and eat frog legs. I’m talking about the classic and genius concept: Do the hard thing first.
This phrase comes from Brian Tracy’s book, inspired by a quote that basically says: “If the first thing you do every morning is eat a live frog, nothing worse can happen to you for the rest of the day.”
Your frog is that annoying, aggravating task you’ve been dreading since the night before. It is that thing you’ve been avoiding with all your might. Get it done first thing so you can have a stress-free day.
Here are some examples:
- Make that phone call (I get heavy social anxiety over calling people, so this definitely qualifies as my frog, lol)
- Do your workout first thing before you talk yourself out of it
- Send that email to your boss
Conclusion
The crux of the story, you can be productive in a lazy way. These lazy girl productivity hacks prove that you can still get things done even when you don’t feel like it. It is all about tricking your brain and building momentum.
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Have a great day wherever you are in the world!
Love, Steph ♥
