Improving yourself just 1% each day can lead to profound transformations over time. Small, consistent changes can have a compounding effect, ultimately resulting in a better, more efficient version of yourself. Below are practical tips to help you on this journey.

Plan Your Week Ahead

Instead of planning day by day, take a more holistic approach by planning your entire week in advance.

• Why it works: Weekly planning gives you a bird’s-eye view of your goals, helping you allocate time effectively for both work and personal life.

• How to do it: Dedicate 30 minutes each weekend to outline tasks, appointments, and priorities for the week ahead. This ensures you’re intentional with your time and can stay proactive.

Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that involves breaking your work into focused intervals, usually 25 minutes, followed by a short break.

• Why it works: Humans aren’t wired to stay creative or focused for eight hours straight. Short, intense work periods maximise productivity while preventing burnout.

• Pro tip: Limit the number of focus sessions you plan daily to match your energy levels. For example, aim for 3–5 focused intervals to do your best creative or deep work.

Leverage Parkinson’s Law

Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time allotted for its completion.

• Why it works: When faced with tight deadlines, we often achieve more in less time because of the urgency.

• How to use it: Set artificial deadlines to create a sense of urgency. For instance, if a task is due in two weeks, commit to finishing it within three days. This forces focus and efficiency.

Practice Task Batching

Group similar tasks together and complete them in dedicated blocks of time.

• Why it works: Task batching reduces context-switching, which is mentally draining and disrupts your flow state.

• How to do it: Pair this method with the Pomodoro Technique. For example, allocate one session for replying to emails and another for brainstorming ideas. Staying in the same “mode” helps you maintain momentum.

Use Music to Stay Focused

Find music or soundscapes that help you stay in the zone during work sessions.

• Why it works: Instrumental music, like lo-fi beats or classical playlists, can create a productive atmosphere without distracting lyrics.

• Suggestions: Explore instrumental mixes on platforms like YouTube or Spotify and experiment until you find what resonates with you.

Discover Your Focus Hour

Pinpoint the time of day when you’re most productive and schedule your high-impact work for that period.

• Why it works: Productivity isn’t the same for everyone—your peak energy might not align with the traditional “morning person” mindset.

• How to do it: Track your energy levels and productivity over a week to identify when you naturally perform your best.

Apply the One-Touch Rule

If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately rather than postponing it.

• Why it works: Small tasks left undone create mental clutter, reducing your ability to focus on bigger priorities.

• Examples: Replying to an email, filing a document, or clearing your workspace.

By integrating these tips into your daily routine, you can embrace the concept of incremental improvement. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Small, consistent actions add up over time, creating a better version of yourself, one day at a time.