TIPS + TRICKS MANAGING TIME

Your phone gets the blame for eating into your day... but Craig Grannell shows how you can harness its tracking smarts to turn yourself into a powerhouse of productivity

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THE BASICS

Take easy wins

Failure is demoralising. If your task tally looks tragic by lunchtime, you might feel your day's already doomed. So set yourself up for the opposite by front-loading tiny guaranteed victories. Yes, it's a trick, but it works. Quick tasks that deliver a dopamine pop are even better, such as a brisk morning stroll.

Make it personal

Build a system that suits your brain, not a fantasy you see when mainlining YouTube productivity videos. If you need a kick up the backside, construct something with guardrails; but if you thrive in organised chaos, don't suddenly pretend you're a time-blocking wizard. Use whichever structure keeps you moving rather than faffing.

Be flexible

If you're all "New Year, new me" until March and then the wheels fall off, poke around at why your grand plan is buckling. Make adjustments if things aren't working. If you're finding a daily schedule for a task too rigid, ease things by allowing it to be completed a few times per week on whichever days you choose.

Integrate systems