Productivity Experiments

I’ve always been fascinated by productivity hacks. Maybe it’s the ex-lawyer in me that loves structure, or juggling multiple projects who constantly needs to optimize every hour. Lately, as a new parent, my schedule has become even more of a juggling act. Between running a mental health startup (Nafseeti), having a full time job, trying to establish a side business, and studying for my MSc in Psychology, time has never felt so precious—or so tricky to manage.

Over the past few years, I’ve tried just about every productivity method I could find. Some worked (for a while), and some fizzled out fast. Below is a candid look at my experience with a few popular techniques.

Pomodoro Technique: The Good, the Bad, and the Breaks

What I Tried:

• 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break.
• After four rounds, a longer break of 15-20 minutes.

What Worked Well:

• A Mental Game-Changer: Setting a timer for just 25 minutes helped me trick my brain into focusing. I’d tell myself, “I can do anything for 25 minutes,” and that sense of a short-term sprint often got me started on tasks I was dreading—like responding to a flood of emails or digging into a dense psychology reading.
• Frequent Breaks: Knowing a break was around the corner kept me from hitting that mental fatigue wall too early in the day.

Where I Struggled:

• Interruptions: It got frustrating to rely on strict intervals when life and office work inevitably interrupts.
• Over-Reliance on the Timer: Sometimes I found myself checking how many minutes remained on the Pomodoro timer rather than staying truly immersed in my work. It was a small distraction that added up.

My Takeaway:
The Pomodoro Technique is a great starter if you need a quick, structured way to dive into tasks. For me, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but I use it on days when I’m struggling to focus or procrastinating.

Time-Blocking: Structuring the Chaos

What I Tried:

• I used Google Calendar to block out deep work hours of my day, and even time to work out or relax.

What Worked Well:

• Clarity and Intention: Seeing a visual map of my day made it easier to gauge how realistic my plans were. It also forced me to think about my priorities.
• Less Mental Load: Instead of constantly wondering, “What should I do next?” I could just follow the schedule I had set. It freed up mental space for actual work.

Where I Struggled:

• Overestimating My Capacity: I’d often block tasks back-to-back, forgetting I might need a mental breather or time for unplanned calls. When unexpected tasks popped up (and they always did), everything would get pushed back, which was a bit demoralizing.
• Resistance to Rigidity: I sometimes felt confined by a super-detailed schedule. If I got an inspired idea for a blog post during a time block, I’d debate whether to follow my inspiration or stick to the plan.

My Takeaway:
Time-blocking forces me to reflect on what matters most, but I’ve learned to leave buffers—blank spaces between blocks—to accommodate life’s curveballs. This method is extremely helpful for big projects and ensuring that the main tasks get done, but it works best when I give myself some flexibility.

Habit Trackers: From Duolingo Streaks to Everything Else

What I Tried:

• I started with a basic habit-tracking app to log daily tasks like exercising, reading, or practicing Spanish on Duolingo.
• I aimed for “streaks” as a form of motivation (not too different from Duolingo’s own streak system, which I’ve maintained for near 1,400 days!).

What Worked Well:

• Visual Motivation: Seeing a streak grow was like a little pat on the back. My near 1,400 day Duolingo streak definitely gives me a confidence boost—it’s tangible proof that small, consistent efforts add up.
• Identifying Patterns: Logging habits made it clear when and why I skipped tasks. Often, I noticed it wasn’t a lack of time but a lack of energy or willpower at specific points in the day.

Where I Struggled:

• Habit Overload: At one point, I was tracking many habits. That quickly led to feeling overwhelmed. I realized I was ticking boxes more than genuinely engaging in each activity.
• Guilt Spiral: If I missed a day or two, it felt like starting from zero. This guilt sometimes overshadowed the fact that any progress—imperfect though it may be—is still progress.

My Takeaway:
A habit tracker is a fantastic tool if used in moderation. I recommend starting with just a few habits at a time. And remember: missing a day doesn’t erase all the effort you’ve put in so far.

Final Reflections: Progress, Not Perfection

These productivity experiments taught me that there’s no magic formula. Each method—Pomodoro, time-blocking, or habit tracking—can be incredibly effective if you adapt it to your life circumstances and personal preferences. The key, I’ve found, is to remain flexible.

I still use elements of each approach. Some days, I’ll do a handful of Pomodoro cycles to kickstart my morning. Other days, time-blocking helps me juggle calls, childcare, and study sessions. And, of course, my habit tracker keeps me accountable to the routines I really care about (like sticking to my Spanish practice).

Am I perfectly productive? Far from it. But by experimenting and accepting the trial-and-error nature of these hacks, I’ve gotten better at managing my time—and, more importantly, my mindset. It’s not about finding a perfect solution; it’s about discovering what works best for you and being kind to yourself when life inevitably gets messy.

Each experiment is a chance to learn more about your habits, your energy levels, and what truly works for you. And that, in my humble opinion, is productivity at its finest.