--- title: 8 Ways to Become More Productive description: There’s plenty of good advice on how to be productive. But most of it makes you feel like you need to turn yourself into a machine. canonical: https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/ author: Eric Barker article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-09-13T12:00:56.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-03-31T10:09:16.553Z article:section: Ideas og:title: 8 Ways to Be More Productive Without Feeling Like a Robot og:description: Begin by starting the day happy og:url: https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63b0901d9ef9cf2e/6988789d0b72e33bb96e79d6/chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2500 og:image:height: 1406 og:image:alt: chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize-motto-stock og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 8 Ways to Be More Productive Without Feeling Like a Robot twitter:description: Begin by starting the day happy twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63b0901d9ef9cf2e/6988789d0b72e33bb96e79d6/chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # 8 Ways to Be More Productive Without Feeling Like a Robot > Sponsored content. 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A paid TIME subscription is separate and available at time.com/subscribe-agent. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-inside-2026q3/newsletters?i=2017bb9d-bd39-4b0e-afac-7fae91e9a054&cr=time-nl-inside-2026q3-v1) by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Sep 13, 2016 12:00 PM UTC  Molly Cranna for TIME by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Sep 13, 2016 12:00 PM UTC There’s plenty of good advice on [how to be productive](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/08/how-to-stop-being-lazy/). But most of it makes you feel like you need to turn yourself into a machine. You don’t want to be Robby the Robot. Here’s the thing: you often don’t need help with the _doing_ part. You know what to do. Sit down and finish the damn task. But you don’t. Why? Often it’s about _feelings_. What really gets in your way? * “It scares me.” * “I don’t feel like it right now.” * “This sucks and I don’t wanna do it.” Those are feelings. And if you don’t deal with those feelings, all the mechanistic lifehacks in the world aren’t going to help you scratch things off your to-do list. The best productivity system is the one you stick with. And if a system makes you miserable, it’s not going to last. End of story. So can you be more productive without turning into Siri or Hal 9000? The research and experts say the answer is, “Yes.” Let’s get to it… ## Start The Day Happy The sound of the alarm clock should not signal, “Time for the pain to begin.” So indulge yourself a little in the morning. Whatever puts you in a good mood, allow yourself some of that. TV, video games, something tasty — whatever. Research shows your [mood in the morning](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/04/does-your-mood-in-the-morning-affect-your-ent/) affects your productivity all day: --- > “” --- You’ll never be as productive as you could be if you don’t make a little effort to improve your mornings. (To learn the 7 step morning ritual that will keep you happy all day, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2016/01/morning-ritual/).) Okay, you’re starting the day off happy and that leads to productivity. But how can you come up with new ideas and clever solutions to problems without a machine-like 27 step brainstorming process? This answer is easy, fun, and feels great… **_Read more:_** [_How To Get People To Like You: 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior Expert_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/10/how-to-get-people-to-like-you/) ## Scrub Your Way To Creativity [Research](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/what-are-the-four-principles-that-will-lead-y/) shows there’s a strong relationship between feeling relaxed and being creative. And what’s the most relaxing part of the average person’s day? [That morning shower](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/03/during-what-average-daily-activity-are-you-mo/). [Scott Barry Kaufman](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/12/how-to-be-creative/), a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, found that 72% of people have new ideas in the shower — in fact, _far more often than when they’re at work_. Here’s Scott: --- > “” --- So step into the shower with more than soap — bring a problem to noodle on. You’re primed to be at your most creative, so take advantage of the opportunity. (To learn what Harvard research says will make you happier and more successful, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/09/be-more-successful/).) Your rubber ducky is giving you the “Eureka” moment you needed. But bad feelings can be an obstacle to getting things done once you hit the office. Your mind can be filled with worries that play over and over like a song stuck in your head. This common condition has a name. And a solution… ## Close Loops To Kill Worries Researchers call it the Zeigarnik effect. But nobody can pronounce that so you and I will just call it, “_Oh-Lord-God-Please-Make-The-Anxiety-Stop._” When you’ve got something you know you need to take care of but you haven’t done anything about it, your brain is like an annoying smartphone app that won’t stop with the notifications. And guess what? The problem is _even worse than you thought_. Those constant worries aren’t just annoying and anxiety-inducing, studies show they also [make you stupid](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/07/does-leaving-things-unfinished-make-you-stupi/): --- > “” --- So how do you clear your head? Write down the concern along with a quick plan of what you’re going to do to address it. Once you’ve done that, your brain can relax. It closes the loop and ends the [Zeigarnik effect](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/01/how-can-you-stop-worrying-about-that-stuff-yo/): --- > “” --- (To learn how to use writing to overcome anxiety, tragedy or heartache, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/11/how-to-deal-with-anxiety/).) You’re happy, creative and your head is clear. But now the task in front of you is filling you with dread. How can you get motivated to start something you absolutely do not feel like doing? **_Read more:_** [_New Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You Happy_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/09/make-you-happy-2/) ## Make Awful Tasks Your Own [Dan Pink](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/01/how-to-be-motivated/), bestselling author of [Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us](http://amzn.to/2clLM7g), says the research shows one of the keys to motivation is a feeling of _autonomy_. From [Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us](http://amzn.to/2clLM7g): --- > “” --- So take five minutes and find a way to make an awful task your own. Rather than mechanistically following a standard process, think about what you can bring to this. How will you choose to handle it? How much of yourself can you inject into the process? What will make this more interesting? How can you leverage your strengths or your abilities to do it your way? The more you make the work something uniquely “you”, the more motivated you’ll be. (To learn more from Dan on how to motivate yourself, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/01/how-to-be-motivated/).) The dread is dead. But you still might procrastinate. You can make a task your own but you might be downright afraid of it, overwhelmed or just insecure about your ability to handle the project. How do you get those awful feelings out of the way so you can unleash the kind of productivity that will put a dent in the Earth? ## Break Down Procrastination Anything that increases your _perception of control_ over a situation — whether it actually increases your control or not — can substantially decrease your stress level. Via [Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long](http://amzn.to/2cnheVR): --- > “” --- And don’t just trust the research. [Astronauts, Special Forces soldiers and even Samurai](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/05/decision-making/) agree: a feeling of calm control can reduce how much you stress about a task. But what’s an easy way to get that control flowing through your veins? David Allen, the guy behind the popular [Getting Things Done](http://amzn.to/2clLrkO) productivity system, says we often feel stressed because projects seem too big and scary. So break intimidating tasks down into tiny steps that you can easily manage. From [Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity](http://amzn.to/2clLrkO): --- > “” --- I’m pretty sure Genghis Khan’s to-do list didn’t say, “Remember to conquer Asia tomorrow.” Whoa. Too big. The post-it note on his desk probably said, “Just decimate the tribe next door.” And then the next tribe. And then the next. That’s manageable. And before you know it, you’ve got your own continent. (To learn how to stop being lazy, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/08/how-to-stop-being-lazy/).) Okay, you’re conquering the bad feelings that prevent accomplishment. But how do you increase the _good_feelings to get even more done? It’s not hard… ## Keep Progress Visible You probably have a “to-do” list. But I’ll bet you don’t have a “did-it” list. When I spoke to the awesome [Josh Kaufman](https://joshkaufman.net/), bestselling author of [The Personal MBA](http://amzn.to/2cj1v9w), he said a “did-it” list is a critical tool. It allows you to see your progress. And Teresa Amabile‘s research at Harvard found that the single most motivating thing is progress in meaningful work. Via [The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work](http://amzn.to/2c7ijk5): --- > “” --- So keep a list of all the things you’ve accomplished today where you can see it. That’s dehydrated concentrate of motivation, that’s what that is. You might think, “_Well, I know what I did today._” That’s not enough. Write it down. Take a tip from the happiness research. When you take a moment to [write down the things](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/09/how-to-live-a-happy-life/) that made you happy that day, they have more power. (To learn the best way to manage your time, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2015/11/how-to-manage-your-time/).) So you do all these things… but you’re still not as productive as you need to be. And that makes you feel lousy. How do you prevent those feelings from putting you back in the productivity doghouse? **_Read more:_** [_New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/09/be-more-successful/) ## Forgiveness Keeps You Going When you don’t get everything done that you expected to, the most common reaction is to beat yourself up. Again, mood and productivity are connected. And guess what? Beating yourself up only makes it harder for you to get things done. Forgiving yourself is like a miracle drug. Instead of “letting you off the hook” and making you lazy, research shows it actually reduces future [procrastination](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/could-forgiveness-be-the-cure-to-procrastinat), increases [creativity](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/is-compassion-the-key-to-creativity), and boosts [self-control](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/to-increase-willpower-should-you-focus-on-gre). Want to be more self-compassionate? It’s easy. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend who was feeling down about not being productive. [Kristin Neff](//www.bakadesuyo.com/2016/04/how-to-be-more-confident-2/), a professor at University of Texas at Austin, explains: --- > “” --- Be nicer to yourself when you screw up and you’ll not only feel better — you’ll get more done. (To learn the schedule that the most productive people use every day, click [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/schedule/).) Alright, we’ve learned a lot. Let’s round it all up and get the final tip on the emotional path to improving productivity… ## Sum Up Here’s how to be productive without becoming a miserable robot: * **Start the day happy**: How you wake is how you work. Having a little fun early means better results later. * **Scrub your way to creativity**: Bring a challenge into the shower and come out with a solution. * **Close loops to kill worries**: Make a plan and write it down to silence the voice in your head. * **Make awful tasks your own**: Put your own spin on how you do something and you’ll be more motivated. * **Break down procrastination**: Conquer Asia one tribe at a time, Genghis. * **Keep progress visible**: Put a “did-it” list next to the “to-do” list for motivational rocket fuel. * **Forgiveness keeps you going**: Beating yourself up kills productivity. Treat yourself like you would a good friend. These days one of the biggest enemies you deal with is distraction. But there’s a fun solution to this: work near a super-productive friend. Even if they’re not helping you, just being around them can improve your focus. How powerful is this? Powerful enough to help people with ADHD. Via [Friendfluence: The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We Are](http://amzn.to/2cNeG1z): --- > “” --- You won’t be super-productive by trying to pretend you’re a machine. If you really want to get things done you can’t just keep your head down. You also need to keep your smile up. **Join over 267,000 readers. Get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD)**.** [_This article originally appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2016/09/how-to-be-productive-2/)_._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/"},"headline":"8 Ways to Be More Productive Without Feeling Like a Robot","datePublished":"2016-09-13T12:00:56.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-31T10:09:16.553Z","description":"Start the day happy","url":"https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/","keywords":["Psychology"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63b0901d9ef9cf2e/6988789d0b72e33bb96e79d6/chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Eric Barker","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/eric-barker/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt63b0901d9ef9cf2e/6988789d0b72e33bb96e79d6/chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize-motto-stock","caption":"chalkboard-to-do-list-success-betterment-work-organize-motto-stock","creditText":"Molly Cranna for TIME","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/psychology/","name":"Psychology"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4487414/8-ways-become-more-productive/","name":"8 Ways to Be More Productive Without Feeling Like a Robot"}}]}] ```