Which Productivity Method Actually Fits the Way Your Brain Works?
If you’ve ever gone down a YouTube rabbit hole of productivity hacks only to feel more overwhelmed than motivated… you’re not alone.
There are so many systems out there — from timers and to-do lists to colour-coded calendars and minimalist bullet journals. And while some people swear by a single method, the truth is: productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal. It’s seasonal. And honestly? It’s allowed to feel a bit messy.
In this post, I’m breaking down a few of the most popular productivity systems — the big-picture ones that shape how you think about your work — with a quick look at what they are, who they might work for, and why I’m personally drawn to some more than others.
1️⃣ The 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle)
This one’s all about working smarter, not harder.
🧠 The idea: 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.
🎯 Your job? Figure out which 20% is actually moving the needle, and do more of that.
Great for: Business owners who feel busy all day but rarely feel accomplished.
Potential downside: You’ll need time to step back and reflect on what’s really working.
2️⃣ Eat That Frog
Inspired by the idea that if you start your day by eating a frog, nothing worse can happen, this method says: do the hardest task first.
🐸 Your “frog” is the thing you’re most likely to avoid but also most likely to make a difference.
Great for: Procrastinators or anyone who struggles to start the day.
Potential downside: Some mornings you just… can’t face the frog.
3️⃣ The Eisenhower Matrix
Urgent vs Important. It’s a simple 2×2 grid, but it’s surprisingly powerful.
🗂 Tasks are divided into:
Urgent & important (do now)
Important but not urgent (schedule it)
Urgent but not important (delegate)
Neither (ditch it)
Great for: Overthinkers or people with a constantly full brain.
Potential downside: You still have to decide what is important.
4️⃣ The ONE Thing
What’s the one thing you can do today that will make everything else easier or unnecessary? (This is a great book if you’ve never read it)
🎯 This method encourages deep focus on a single high-impact action, instead of juggling everything.
Great for: Anyone who feels pulled in ten directions at once.
Potential downside: Doesn’t always work in reactive or fast-paced roles.
5️⃣ Productivity Based on Energy Cycles (Including Period Syncing)
Rather than forcing a rigid schedule, this approach honours your natural highs and lows – including hormonal shifts throughout the month.
🩸 Think: batching creative work during your high-energy follicular phase and planning admin during your luteal phase.
Great for: Women, neurodivergent folks, or anyone with variable energy.
Potential downside: Requires a bit of tracking and flexibility.
6️⃣ Vision Boards
Not just for manifesting a beach house. Vision boards can be powerful productivity tools when they’re grounded in your real goals and values.
📌 Visualising your ideal lifestyle or work setup can help you stay motivated and make aligned decisions.
Great for: Visual learners, creative minds, or big-picture thinkers.
Potential downside: Needs regular revisiting to stay useful (and not just pretty).
7️⃣ The 3-3-3 Method
This method is gaining traction online — and I have to admit, I was instantly curious. Why? Because I’ve recently started playing netball again, and everything in that game revolves around the number 3 — three seconds, three feet, thirds of the court. So the 3-3-3 method? Felt weirdly familiar.
📋 The idea is simple:
3 hours of deep work
3 shorter tasks
3 maintenance tasks (admin, email, life stuff)
It gives structure to your day without overloading your brain — and honestly, it’s one I’m testing out right now.
Great for: People who like structure but hate overcomplicated systems.
Potential downside: Still early days — I’ll be writing a full post on this soon if you want to see how it actually plays out.
👉 [Read the full post on the 3-3-3 method – coming soon!]
8️⃣ Zen to Done (My Go-To Method)
Let me be honest — I do love a colour-coded spreadsheet and a highlighter system that borders on art. But when it comes to actually getting things done without burning out, I need a system that’s flexible, calm, and built to last.
🧘♀️ Zen to Done is exactly that. It’s a simpler take on productivity — less about endless to-do lists and more about building habits that work for you. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters, consistently.
You focus on:
One habit at a time
Reducing commitments
Keeping your system minimal and sustainable
Why I love it: It gives me the structure I need without the pressure to optimise every second of the day. I can still use my colour coding — but now it supports a calmer, clearer way of working.
Great for: Anyone who’s tired of starting strong and fizzling out.
Potential downside: It’s a slower burn. But if you’re looking for long-term consistency, that’s kind of the point.
So… Which One’s Right for You?
Honestly? The best productivity system is the one that makes you feel calmer, clearer, and more in control, not more stressed.
You don’t have to pick just one forever. You can try them out like outfits, see how they feel, and tweak things to suit your life and season.
Got a method you love (or one that flopped)? I’d love to hear about it, pop it in the comments or drop me a message!
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