2025 - 50 tips for effortless productivity at home and in the office

Is your inbox overflowing and your to-do list is growing faster than you can cut it?

"Productivity Guide 2025" - is your personal navigator in a world where every minute counts.

No more procrastination and a constant feeling of time pressure.

Inside you will find 50 proven methodsthat will help you streamline your household chores and work processes.

Productivity Guide 2025: 50 tips for smart living at home and at work

Start the morning by planning three key tasks. This will help you focus and prioritise.

• Use the "Tomato" technique: 25 minutes work, 5 minutes rest.
• Create a "distraction-free zone" in your workspace.
• Turn off notifications on your phone and computer while you work.
• Break large projects into small, manageable phases.
• Use the two-minute rule: if the task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.
• Delegate tasks that do not require your personal involvement.
• Conduct a weekly review of your goals and progress.
• Introduce a one-touch rule for emails: process, delete or forward at once.
• Use digital tools to manage tasks (e.g. Trello or Asana).
• Practice meditation to improve concentration.
• Take short breaks regularly to avoid burnout.
• Streamline routine processes by creating templates and automating them.
• Set a fixed time to check your email.
• Use Eisenhower matrix to prioritise tasks (urgent/important).
• Do not multitask, focus on one task at a time.
• End each working day by making a plan for the next.
• Remove unnecessary apps from your desktop and phone.
• Organise files on your computer with a clear folder system.
• Identify your productivity peaks and plan your most challenging tasks for that time.
• Learn to say "no" to additional requests if they do not match your priorities.
• Use the 80/20 rule: 20% of effort yields 80% of results.
• Create a to-do list for your home so you don't get distracted by household chores while you work.
• Clean up your desk regularly.
• Plan meetings with a clear agenda and duration.
• Use a voice recorder to record ideas that come spontaneously.
• Master the shortcuts for the programs you use most often.
• Create a "knowledge base" for frequently asked questions.
• Ensure that the workplace is adequately lit.
• Drink enough water throughout the day.
• Avoid unnecessary meetings by offering alternative methods of communication.
• Set tight deadlines for all tasks.
• Review your habits and eliminate those that reduce productivity.
• Write down ideas on paper so they don't take up space in your head.
• Plan time for leisure and hobbies.
• Use apps to block distracting websites.
• Set rules for communicating with colleagues to minimise interruptions.
• Develop your speed reading skills.
• Use mnemonic techniques to remember information.
• Set up a system to track your progress.
• Use a "waiting list" for tasks that depend on other people.
• Identify your "time-suckers" and minimise them.
• Sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.
• Get some physical activity, it improves brain function.
• Develop critical thinking skills.
• Eliminate perfectionism in tasks where it is not critical.
• Focus on finishing tasks, not starting them.
• Practice "digital detox" at least once a week.
• Optimise your morning by avoiding unnecessary decisions.
• Create a reward system for tasks completed.
• Regularly analyse what works and what doesn't and adjust your methods.

Optimising morning rituals for maximum impact

Identify your chronotype and synchronise your wake-up time with it. For example, it's good for "larks" to get up earlier to get through essential tasks before noon.

Create a sequence of activities that engages all your senses: turn on your favourite music, prepare a fragrant drink, do some simple exercises, open the curtains to let in natural light.

Break your morning tasks into micro-habits. Instead of "do an exercise", say "30 seconds of lunges", "5 squats". This lowers the barrier to action.

Replace scrolling through the news feed with 10 minutes of reading a book or listening to an educational podcast. This stimulates your brain to make sense of the information.

Prepare clothes and essentials from the evening before. This eliminates decision-making in the morning and saves cognitive energy.

Include a short gratitude practice in your morning routine. Write down three things for which you feel grateful. It puts you in a positive frame of mind.

Take 5-10 minutes to plan your day, prioritising 1-3 key tasks. Avoid overloading your to-do list.

Use the "two glasses of water" method - one immediately after waking up, the second 15-20 minutes later. This will kick-start your metabolism.

Organise a breakfast that is easy to prepare and rich in protein and complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods that cause a spike in blood sugar.

Practice "digital detox" in the first hour after waking up. Postpone checking email and social media to maintain focus.

Techniques for managing attention in the workplace without distractions

Introduce the "20-20-20 rule": every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet (about 6 metres) away for 20 seconds. This helps reduce visual strain and regain concentration.

Organise your workspace around a 'clean desk' at the end of each day. This reduces visual noise and helps you think more clearly when you start the next day.

Use the "time block" method: set specific time slots for tasks that require deep concentration and stick to them strictly, avoiding interruptions.

Practice "single-tasking". Focus on one task at a time, avoiding switching between different projects or applications.

Turn off notifications on all devices except those that are business critical. Check messages and email on a schedule, not as they arrive.

Create a list of "idea parking": if a new idea or thought comes up while you are working on the main task, write it down in a separate list and come back to it later without interrupting the current activity.

Use the "tomato technique". Work focused for 25 minutes, then take a short break for 5 minutes. After four such cycles, take a long break.

Use noise-cancelling headphones. This helps to block out outside sounds and create a private space for concentration, even in open offices.

Take short "micro-breaks" for physical activity. Stand up, stretch or walk for a few minutes to reset your brain and relieve tension.

Plan "time for non-urgent matters". Set aside a separate block of time to respond to non-urgent emails, calls or small tasks so that they don't distract from your priorities.

Automating the home routine to free up personal time

Set up smart lighting that turns on and off on a schedule or when motion is detected, eliminating the need to reach for the switch every time. This will free up time for more enjoyable activities than controlling the lights.

Use a programmable robot vacuum cleaner to clean on a schedule while you're away or busy. Setting a cleaning schedule completely eliminates your involvement.

Arrange for automatic delivery of essentials. Many supermarkets offer weekly or monthly delivery, saving hours spent in the store and on the road. Create a recurring order and forget about grocery shopping.

Connect smart sockets to appliances such as a coffee machine or a boiler. Program them to switch on a few minutes before you wake up or come home. This allows you to enjoy hot coffee or water without waiting.

Use automatic irrigation systems for houseplants and gardens. Set a timer and your plants will receive water exactly when they need it, without your intervention. This saves you the daily hassle of watering.

Create templates for recurring payments and set up automatic debiting from your bank account. This eliminates the need for routine data entry and reminders for bill payment deadlines. The bank will take care of the payments itself.

Use services to store recipes and shopping lists that can be automatically synchronised. When planning menus, the list of ingredients is self-generated, making it easy to buy.

Automate the sorting of digital files. Set up rules in your operating system to automatically move downloaded documents, photos and videos to the appropriate folders. This helps keep things tidy without manual intervention.

Use smart door locks that can be opened and closed remotely or on a schedule. This gives you extra control and convenience, for example for temporary access for guests without having to be present.

Set up a smart thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home according to your schedule. It will maintain a comfortable temperature when you're at home and save energy when you're away, automatically adjusting to your pace of life.