Productivity Hacks for Teens

Identify 3 opportunities for sponge time in your daily routine (e.g., commute, waiting for class). Write them down. This builds awareness of previously unnoticed time.

“Use the time you're riding in a car to study, write, or even practice an instrument.”

For each opportunity, dedicate a specific task (study flashcards during the commute). Track how much you got done. Reinforces the habit loop - cue, routine, reward.

“Use the time you're riding in a car to study, write, or even practice an instrument.”

For one week, track how much time you spend watching TV, movies, and online videos. Self-monitoring increases awareness.

Set a goal to reduce your weekly media consumption to 10 hours or less. Establishes a clear intention.

“Try to limit it to 10 hours or less. This will give you more time to focus on your goals.”

For every hour of media reduced, dedicate 30 minutes to a hobby or exercise.

Schedule a 45-60 minute block of time for a specific task in your calendar. Time blocking improves focus.

During your focus block, turn off your phone and log out of social media. This prevents task switching and improves deep work.

“Turn off your phone, log out of social media, and then take a break. This will help you stay focused and get more done.”

Identify the 20% of tasks that will drive 80% of your results. Focus on those first. Aligns efforts with high-impact activities.

“The 80/20 rule can be helpful here. It suggests that about 20% of your actions will drive 80% of your results, so identify the most important tasks and focus on those first.”

Break a major project into smaller, more manageable sections. Reduces task aversion and makes progress more visible.

“Breaking down big tasks into smaller ones can also help. If you have a major project, break it down into manageable sections. This will make it less overwhelming and help you avoid procrastination.”

Designate a specific area for your work that is free from distractions. Establishes a consistent and conducive environment.

“Having a dedicated workspace is crucial. Designate a specific area for your work and make sure it's free from distractions.”

Keep your workspace organized to help you stay on track. Clear away clutter before starting. Reduces visual distractions and mental clutter.

“Keeping your workspace organized will also help you stay on track.”

Determine when you are most productive (morning, afternoon, evening) and schedule demanding tasks for that time. Increases efficiency by working with natural energy peaks.

“Identify your most productive period of the day and use that to your advantage. Some people are more productive in the morning while others are better in the late afternoon.”

Schedule your most important tasks for your most productive time. Maximizes output by capitalizing on heightened focus.

“Figure out when you work best and plan your tasks accordingly.”

Develop a personalized plan incorporating the above strategies. Consider potential obstacles and implementation intentions ('If X happens, I will do Y'). Fosters ownership and proactive problem-solving.

“Create your own plan and consider any obstacles or challenges that might come up.”

Spend 10 minutes at the end of each day reviewing your productivity, and identifying strategies you could use the next day. Promotes metacognition and continuous improvement.

Share your productivity plan with a friend or family member for support and accountability.

List the three most impactful productivity hacks you learned from this program.

Select one productivity hack to focus on for the next month and create a plan for consistent implementation.