PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY ® Volume 11, Number 1, 2025
1. The “One Big Thing” Rule Every day, I pick one task that, if completed, will make my day feel successful. Not ten. Not five. Just one. It forces me to focus on what truly matters instead of spreading myself too thin. Everything else becomes secondary. 2. Time Blocking is My Non-Negotiable I plan my day like I’m scheduling a movie marathon. Tasks get dedicated time slots, and I treat them like unbreakable appointments. Result? No more guessing what to work on next — and no more “I’ll do it later” excuses. 3. The Two-Minute Rule David Allen, author of the best-selling book Getting Things Done, invented the two-minute rule. The rule states that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should do it immediately. If something takes less than two minutes — responding to an email, filing a document, or scheduling an appointment — I do it immediately. It’s shocking how many little tasks clutter your brain when left undone. 4. Batching Similar Tasks a) Emails? Handled in one focused hour. b) Meetings? All scheduled back-to-back. c) Creative work? A separate, uninterrupted block. I have found that switching tasks constantly kills momentum. Grouping similar tasks saves energy and time. 5. Deadlines, Even When They’re Fake For every task, I set a deadline — even if no one’s asking for one. Why? Because deadlines light a fire under you. Without them, procrastination wins every time. 6. Pomodoro Technique: Work Smarter, Not Longer Work for 25 minutes. Take a 5-minute break. Repeat. These short sprints keep me energized and prevent burnout. Plus, it’s amazing how much you can get done in focused bursts. 7. The “Parkinson’s Law” Trick Work expands to fill the time you give it. If I allow myself three hours for a task, it’ll take three hours. But if I limit it to one, I find a way to finish in one. 8. Say “No” More Often This one was tough. I used to agree to everything. Now, if something doesn’t align with my priorities or add value, I politely decline. Saying no is saying yes to your own goals. 9. Prepping the Night Before
Before bed, I write down tomorrow’s top three tasks and set up my workspace. Starting the day with clarity gives me a head start before distractions creep in.
Article 10 – Time Management Hacks
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