“Work smarter, not harder” is strategic laziness in action. But it’s not the only strategy that can inspire your inner productive sloth. Here are 7 popular hacks you can implement with no effort. Today.

Or tomorrow, if you are too busy now…

Strategy #1: The 5-Minute Rule

Tasks and to-do lists can be overwhelming. Especially when you think it is going to take you forever to finish something.

Nobody, especially me, likes the idea of sitting for hours in front of a laptop typing like a madman.

And that is my job.

But luckily, it’s easy to fool your brains.

The next time you feel blocked, tell yourself that you will only work on the task for five minutes.

Your brain will probably agree with that. At least, mine does.

And what if this strategy doesn’t work? Well, at least you have moved the needle a bit.

Read more: The Five Minute Rule to stop procrastinating.

Strategy #2: Make a To-Don’t list

We all know about to-do lists, but have you ever made a to-don’t list?

It basically contains tasks and activities you intentionally decide not to do. The keyword here is intentionally.

If you eliminate unnecessary and dull tasks from your day (and mind), you free up time and mental space for everything that really matters to you.

Worth reading: This list will stop you doing things that are time-wasters.

Strategy #3: Delegate like a boss

Why do everything yourself when someone else can do it for you?

That is how businesses grow.

And households live in peace.

Identify which tasks you can hand off to others. And have more time and energy for things you like doing.

Read more: Delegate like a boss without sounding like one.

Strategy #4: Adjust the Pomodoro Technique to your rhythm

The Pomodoro Technique is a time-management hack that basically splits hours into small working sessions.

Every break you take, your brain gets a mini holiday

At the end of the day, you have done stuff. And you are not exhausted.

The biggest problem is that this method was invented before the Internet. But you can adapt it, as I did.

How? That you can find out in the article below.

Worth reading: Killer tips to use the Pomodoro method in the era of AI.

Strategy #5: The “Do It Now” method

I came across this method in the early 2000s.

And until today, that time management technique still comes in handy.

But during the years, I also discovered its flaws.

If you follow this method blindly, you will be a busy bee without a drop of sweet honey.

So I hacked the hack and share my advice in the article below.

Worth reading: The “Do It Now method” (without going nuts)

Strategy #6: The Two Minute Rule

This productivity hack is a variant of the previous one.

The main difference, though, is that it works best if you set a timer.

Two minutes. You guessed it.

To prevent me from overthinking what to do – and ending up doing nothing – I use this hack to make plans in record time.

Worth reading: Setting your priorities in 120 seconds

Strategy #7: Hack your work environment

When I have to look for things, my blood pressure rises and my heart pumps like crazy.

Yet, I was too busy to pay attention to the chaos in my work cave.

Until one day, I organized it in the most lazy way possible.

And now, I have more time for fun, instead of cursing while searching in boxes, drawers and shelves to find what I need.

Worth reading: Organize your workspace with no effort.

Which strategy is best for you?

You are probably familiar with at least some of these strategies.

You may have even tried some of them.

But you probably gave up at one moment.

I know I did. I have tried them all.

In the beginning, all went well.

But then, for a zillion reasons and excuses, I gave up.

It is so easy to get overwhelmed with daily duties, administration and whatnot.

Also, there is so much advice and information about how to be productive. And that creates confusion.

Giving up also creates those nagging feelings of guilt and failure.

But one day, I started looking at things from a slightly different angle.

I started thinking of mastering the art of laziness to get my work done.

Strange? Yes.

Does it work for me?

Yups.

Can it work for you? You will only know if you try…