How to get more done

Getting more done is mostly about fewer false starts: knowing what matters, seeing your progress and keeping distractions in check. These routines turn that into a few minutes a day.

6 routines that help

1. Not reaching your goals

   Track 1 specific number daily

   Tracking your progress toward a goal makes you more likely to reach it.

2. Decision fatigue

   Set 3 daily goals the night before

   Resisting temptation may leave less willpower for hard tasks, though later studies found this effect is smaller than first thought.

3. Procrastination

   Spend 2 minutes on the task you're avoiding

   Planning when and where you'll act makes you more likely to reach your goals than intending to alone.

4. Reaching your goals

   Write down 3 daily achievements

   Tracking your progress toward a goal makes you more likely to reach it, especially when you write it down or share it.

5. Constant interruptions at work

   Check notifications only 3 times a day

   Phone notifications are linked to more restlessness, which eased when alerts were off and phones out of reach.

6. Giving up after mistakes

   Answer one harsh thought the way you'd answer a friend

   Students who were kind to themselves after failing a test spent more time studying for the retest.