How to be Productive (Even If You Lack Discipline)

How often do you make a detailed plan for your day, only to ignore it when it’s time to act?
You’re not alone in this.

I used to be the same—constantly setting up intricate plans, convinced that this time it would stick. But then the day would spiral out of control, and I’d end up feeling like I’d accomplished nothing.

Over time, I realized that sticking to a schedule isn’t just about discipline—it’s about creating systems that work with your brain, not against it.

I’m going to share five unconventional strategies that helped me actually stick to my plans and get things done. Let’s dive in!

Time Blocking 2.0

You’ve probably heard of time blocking before, but this isn’t your standard version. I call it Time Blocking 2.0, where you layer in flexibility without losing structure. The idea is the same: block off parts of your day for specific tasks but there are three additional parts that take timeblocking to the next level:

Firstly I create “buffer blocks” between my major time blocks.

These are small chunks of time—15 to 30 minutes—where I can deal with unexpected distractions, take a breather, or even catch up if a task overruns.

Here’s why this works: the problem with traditional time blocking is that it assumes your day will go perfectly, which it rarely does.

By adding buffer blocks, you’re giving yourself breathing room to handle life’s curveballs while staying on track. I’ve found that this small tweak reduces the stress of trying to rigidly stick to a schedule and allows me to flow from one task to the next without feeling overwhelmed. It’s structure with flexibility.

Next is all about setting alarms around your timeblocks. Now these aren't just reminders I'll use alarms on my phone that assign a “best self” identity.

So for example my Hustle alarm will remind me to focus on my deep work time block and then my Best Self alarm will remind me to hit the gym. By use the alarms as a reminder of why we're doing something and the person we want to become I find I'm much more likely to stick to a habit.

The final part of Time-Blocking 2.0 is to not only block time during a specific day for tasks like deep work but to also block out days where I'm doing the same task to avoid task task-switching. So on Mondays I'll focus more on meeting while Tuesday might be recording content.

These subtle changes to time-blocking have taken my productivity to the next level.

The Physical Commitment

This next strategy is about getting physical—no, I’m not talking about exercise (though that helps too). I’m talking about physically committing to your schedule through visual and tactile cues. It’s what I call The Physical Commitment. Instead of just keeping everything digital, I like to write out my schedule and goals by hand on sticky notes or a large whiteboard.

Then, I place these notes in places where I can’t ignore them—on my computer screen, on the fridge, even on the bathroom mirror.

Why does this work? It’s the same reason sticky notes or handwritten to-do lists feel more concrete than a digital task list.

When something is physically in front of you, it’s harder to push it aside or forget about it. The visual reminder acts as a mental nudge throughout the day, gently keeping you focused on what needs to be done. This simple act of turning your goals into physical objects adds a layer of commitment that a digital notification just can’t match. Plus, there’s real satisfaction in physically removing or crossing off a task when it’s done.

The 3-Minute Momentum Rule

Here’s a unique twist on the “just get started” mentality: The 3-Minute Momentum Rule. When you feel stuck or resistant to starting a task, give yourself just three minutes to begin. Set a timer if you need to. The goal isn’t to complete the task in that time—it’s simply to get the ball rolling. Often, the hardest part of any task is starting. But once you’ve begun, it’s much easier to keep going.

The magic here is in momentum. Once you’re in motion, the task usually feels less daunting, and you’ll likely keep working long after those three minutes are up. It’s a psychological trick to bypass your brain’s natural resistance to starting. This technique works especially well for tasks you tend to procrastinate on—whether it’s answering emails, starting a workout, or tackling a big project. I’ve found that by lowering the bar to just “start,” I’m often surprised by how much I actually accomplish.

Implementation Intentions

This next strategy is rooted in psychological research and has been shown to dramatically increase your chances of sticking to a habit. It’s called Implementation Intentions. Essentially, it’s a plan you make ahead of time that links a specific situation with the habit you want to perform. The format is simple: “When X happens, I will do Y.” For example, “When I finish lunch, I will walk for 10 minutes,” or “When I wake up, I will drink a glass of water.”

This technique is powerful because it removes the decision-making process. You don’t have to think about when to do the habit; you’ve already pre-decided. Research shows that people who use implementation intentions are far more likely to follow through with their habits, because it ties the action to a clear trigger.

You can even take this a step further and write out a list of key tasks or goals, and then share this contract with someone you trust—could be a friend, a family member, or even a colleague.

Here’s where it gets interesting. In that contract, we can also include a consequence for not following through.

It could be something small, like donating to a charity, but it should feel like a real loss. Once we’ve sent that contract to our accountability partner, the stakes are higher. I’m not just relying on discipline; I’m relying on the power of pre-commitment.

You’re psychologically wired to avoid losing something you’ve committed to, especially when someone else is involved. This strategy has made a huge difference in getting me to follow through on important tasks.

Habit Stacking

You’ve probably heard of habit stacking, where you pair a new habit with an existing one. But what if we take this to the next level, where you create micro-habits and then attach them to routines you’re already doing.

Here’s how it works: instead of thinking about big, life-changing habits that might seem overwhelming, break them down into bite-sized pieces.

For example, if you want to start meditating every day, start by pairing just two minutes of meditation with something you already do, like brushing your teeth.

The twist? Every time you successfully complete the micro-habit, reward yourself immediately. Even something as small as mentally congratulating yourself can trigger your brain’s reward system. This trick accelerates the reinforcement process, helping the habit stick more quickly.

Over time, you can build on this foundation and add more to your habit without overwhelming yourself at the start. The key is to start small, make it easy, and link it to something you’re already doing regularly.

Sticking to a schedule isn’t just about forcing yourself to stay disciplined—it’s about setting up systems that actually work for you. With Time Blocking 2.0, The Physical Commitment, The 3-Minute Momentum Rule, Pre-Commitment Contracts, and Pattern Interrupt Alarms, you’ll find that you no longer need to rely purely on willpower to get things done. These unique strategies have helped me stay on track, even on my toughest days. So give them a try, and let me know in the comments which ones resonate with you. And remember, every small step you take today is an investment in your future self.