Every generation of entrepreneurs believes it’s the one that can skip steps. Start earlier. Move faster. Figure it out on the fly. That story is compelling. It’s also incomplete. In a recent Fortune article, Jeff Bezos offered advice to Gen Z that cuts directly against the dominant startup mythology: get real work experience before launching a company. Bezos didn’t say this as a critic of entrepreneurship. He said it as someone who built Amazon—starting at age 30, after nearly a decade of professional experience. This wasn’t a casual comment. It was a strategic observation.
Why You’re Not Getting Things Done—And How to Fix It
Why You’re Not Getting Things Done—And How to Fix It
by Clint Day
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Ever End a Workday Wondering What You Actually Got Done? You’re not alone—and here’s how to fix it.
Have you ever driven home from work feeling drained but unsure what you actually accomplished? Or reached Friday with a to-do list that looks eerily similar to Monday’s? Maybe you’ve set a meaningful goal but struggled to make real progress.
We’ve all been there. At some point, everyone wishes they could be more focused, more organized, and more productive. Because let’s face it—we all have work we want to complete and goals we want to reach.
So how do we move from busy to effective? Here are 7 tried-and-true productivity tips that can help—at work, at home, or anywhere in life.
1. Set Your Priorities Before You Start Working
Start your day with intention. Make a to-do list, then divide it into:
Must-do today
Should-do soon
Can-wait items
This helps you focus not just on doing, but on doing the right things. Even 15 minutes of planning in the morning can save 1–2 hours throughout the day.
2. Eliminate Tasks That Don’t Matter
If a task doesn’t fall into any of your top three categories, it’s likely not worth your time. Get rid of it. Focus your limited time and energy on what actually moves the needle.
Organizing your paperclips? Probably not worth it. Finishing a proposal early or prepping for a key meeting? Absolutely.
3. Schedule Your Work
Productivity rarely happens by accident. Plan your day—morning, afternoon, and beyond. Even if you don’t follow it perfectly, having a schedule helps direct your focus and energy where it matters most.
4. Cut Out Distractions
Distractions kill momentum. Silence notifications. Put your phone in another room. Close unused tabs. Creating a distraction-free zone boosts your chances of staying in the zone and getting things done.
5. Go to Bed Earlier, Wake Up Earlier
Want more time in your day? Create it. Waking up even an hour earlier adds 5 extra hours a week. But don’t just cut into your sleep—protect it. Rest is fuel. Without it, your productivity suffers.
6. Do One Thing at a Time
Multitasking feels productive—but science shows it isn’t. It actually lowers performance and increases errors. Want to be effective? Be present. Focus deeply on one task before moving to the next.
7. Build Margin into Your Schedule
Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a productivity tool. Without margin, stress builds and energy drains. Make room in your calendar for downtime. You’ll be sharper, happier, and more effective when it’s time to work.
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