As a side hustler juggling a full-time job, your time’s your biggest asset. Finding ways to get more done in less time is crucial for work-life balance. You can find the balance by learning new working techniques, investing in automating tools, and some other ways. Without wasting any more time, let’s get into seven productivity hacks that have worked for me and my students since 2007.
1. Prioritize with the Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix, named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, provides a structured way to prioritize tasks. It organizes them into four categories: tasks that are both urgent and important, tasks that are important but not urgent, tasks that are urgent but not important, and those that are neither.
2. Time Blocking
Instead of working in a reactive mode, plan your day in advance with time blocks. Allocate specific time slots for different tasks and stick to them. With this method, you can allocate the most important tasks when your focus is the highest.
3. The Pomodoro Technique
Work in bursts of intense focus followed by short breaks. The Pomodoro Technique involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This cycle helps maintain high levels of focus without causing burnout.
4. Automate Repetitive Tasks
For instance, Zapier can automatically send welcome emails to new subscribers, update your CRM, or even create invoices. IFTTT can automatically post your latest blog entry to all your social media channels, or notify you when a payment comes in. You free up valuable time that can be better spent on strategic planning, customer engagement, or product development.
5. Limit Social Media and App Usage
Social media has a strong pull and can keep you addicted for hours. Use apps like Freedom or StayFocusd to block distracting websites during your work hours. You can also keep a track of your Screen Time and set a daily limit, which you must not cross.
6. Use the Two-Minute Rule
The “two-minute rule,” popularized by productivity expert David Allen, is a simple yet effective strategy for tackling small tasks. The rule is straightforward: if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. While it may seem insignificant, this approach can dramatically declutter your to-do list. Those minor tasks—like responding to an email, jotting down a note, or filing a document—may not seem like much on their own, but they can quickly pile up and become overwhelming distractions.
7. Outsource When Possible
Sometimes it’s more efficient to delegate tasks that are not your strong suit. Websites like Upwork or Fiverr offer a range of freelancers who can handle various tasks, from graphic design to content writing. As your side hustle grows, you can hire a part-time virtual assistant who can handle manual tasks, replying to emails, updating your calendar, and engaging on social media.
Increasing productivity and automating tasks are two big parts of my online side hustle course. My specialized online course focuses exclusively on the rental moving box business. I’ll show you how to streamline operations and automate tasks to earn a minimum of $1,000 in monthly profits, all with a manageable time commitment of just 10-15 hours a week. This isn’t some fly-by-night scheme; it’s a thoughtfully crafted, in-demand business model. If you’re interested in knowing more, book a Clarity Call with me today.
