This article was generated by Claude Sonnet 3.5 from a Discord post I made about 10 productivity strategies I’ve figured out from the past few months developing my first course with only 2 hours a day to work on it.

You can find the text of that Discord post here.

Let's be real – staying productive isn't always about positive mantras and morning routines. Sometimes it's about embracing reality and finding what actually works, even if it's not Instagram-worthy. Here are my honest tactics for getting things done, both at my day job and in my side business.

1. Embrace Healthy Fear

I'll admit it – sometimes what gets me moving at my day job is remembering that no position is truly secure. It's not about paranoia; it's about staying hungry and continuing to earn my spot. A little healthy fear can be a powerful motivator to keep delivering value.

2. Plan for the Future Economy

For my side business, I'm motivated by the flip side of that same coin. The traditional 9-5 might not be forever (just ask any LinkedIn influencer about the future of work). Preparing for the "gig economy apocalypse" keeps me focused on building something of my own.

3. Create a Distraction-Free Zone

My productivity hack is simple but effective: cats out, AirPods in. I stick to instrumental music only – vocals tend to hijack my attention. My go-to playlist includes electronic music like the Mirror's Edge soundtrack by Solar Fields and binaural beats.

4. Maximize Empty Spaces

The YMCA at 4:30 AM is my secret weapon. When no one else is around, I can knock out both my workout and business tasks in one peaceful location. The early morning silence is golden for productivity.

5. Invest in Accountability

Sometimes the best motivation is knowing someone else is watching. I've found that paying for coaching isn't just about learning – it's about having someone hold you accountable. The investment multiplies your commitment.

6. Maintain a "Follow-Ups" System

I use Kortex (think Notion-style tool) to keep a dedicated "Follow-Ups" document. It's my guilt-free procrastination list – a place where I park tasks I can't handle right now but don't want to forget. Having one central location for these items frees up mental space.

7. Calendar Over To-Do Lists

For major projects like creating courses or building sales pages, I've abandoned traditional to-do lists. Instead, I create a calendar breaking everything into 2-hour chunks. This approach helps me:

Visualize the full scope of work
Stay realistic about timelines
Have clear daily objectives

8. Establish Non-Negotiables

Some things just have to happen, no matter what. My non-negotiables include:

Writing one email every day
Hitting the gym 3x per week minimum

These simple rules create a foundation that keeps critical areas of life from slipping.

9. Set Hard Boundaries

Work-life balance isn't just a buzzword – it's necessary for sustained productivity. My rule? The phone stays in the office after 5 PM. This creates a real break from work mode and helps me recharge.

10. Prioritize the Basics

It all falls apart without the fundamentals:

Limited added sugar in my diet
Minimum 6 hours of sleep, no exceptions

Final Thoughts

Productivity isn't always pretty or inspirational. Sometimes it's about embracing fear, setting hard boundaries, and just showing up at 4:30 AM because that's what works. Find your own weird but effective methods and stick to them.

What unconventional productivity tactics work for you? Let me know in the comments below.

10 Unconventional Ways I Maximize My Productivity