Overrated Productivity Advice (and What to Do Instead)
If you’ve spent any time looking for productivity tips, you’ll know the Internet is overflowing with the same tired advice. “Wake up at 5am!” “Work in 90-minute sprints!” “Eat the frog first!” These sound great in theory, but in practice? They’re often impractical, stressful, and sometimes downright counterproductive.
I’ve tested a lot of these so-called “golden rules” of productivity while juggling hybrid work, parenting, and side projects. Some of them work for certain people, but many are overhyped and ignore the messy reality of modern work and life. So, let’s break down some of the most overrated productivity clichés—and what to do instead.
“Wake Up at 5 AM Like a CEO”
Ah yes, the classic “successful people wake up at 5am” mantra. Supposedly, if you just set your alarm early enough, you’ll magically become hyper-productive like your favourite billionaire. But let’s be real—most of us aren’t running multi-billion-pound companies, and forcing yourself to wake up at an ungodly hour isn’t going to make your day more productive if you’re sleep-deprived and grumpy.
Productivity isn’t simply about waking up early; it’s about how well you use the hours you’re awake.
Not everyone’s body clock is wired for early mornings. Some people are just naturally more productive in the evening.
If you have young kids, good luck with this. A 5am wakeup is just adding exhaustion to your already chaotic life!
So what should you do instead?
Work with your natural energy rhythms. If you’re a night owl, schedule deep work for later in the day. If you’re a morning person, get your hardest tasks done before lunch.
Prioritise quality sleep over early wakeups. A well-rested person working from 9am to 5pm will out-perform a sleep-deprived one who starts at dawn.
Focus on optimising your work time, not just expanding it. If you wake up early but spend two hours groggily scrolling through emails, you haven’t gained anything…
“Just Use the Pomodoro Technique”
The Pomodoro Technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break) is one of the most popular productivity hacks out there. In theory, it helps you stay focused and avoid burnout. But in practice? It can feel disruptive, especially if you’re in the flow.
Some tasks require deep concentration, and stopping every 25 minutes can ruin your momentum.
Not all work is suited to this rigid structure—creative and strategic tasks often need longer, uninterrupted sessions.
If you’re already prone to procrastination, breaking up your work into tiny sprints can make it feel never-ending.
Here’s what to do instead:
Find your own rhythm. Some people work best in 90-minute blocks, while others prefer 45-minute sprints. Experiment to see what suits you.
Use “flow sessions” instead. Set a broad time range (e.g., 60-90 minutes) and let yourself get absorbed in the work. Take breaks when your brain naturally starts to slow down.
Match work sessions to the type of task. Quick admin? Sure, use Pomodoro. Writing a report? Give yourself at least an hour of uninterrupted time.
“Eat the Frog First” (Do the Hardest Task First Thing in the Morning)
The logic behind “eating the frog” is solid: if you get the hardest task out of the way early, the rest of the day feels easier. The problem? Not everyone is mentally ready to tackle something difficult first thing in the morning.
Not all tasks require the same type of energy. Creative work might be better suited for when you’re more relaxed later in the day.
If you start the day with something draining, you might have no energy left for other important work.
If the “frog” is too big or overwhelming, you might procrastinate instead of actually getting started.
Here’s what to try instead:
Time your tasks to match your energy levels. If you’re sharper in the morning, do deep work then. If you need to warm up, start with quick wins to build momentum.
Break big tasks into smaller steps. Instead of “write 10-page report,” start with “outline the key points” so the frog feels less intimidating.
Prioritise based on impact, not difficulty. Sometimes, the most valuable task isn’t the hardest one—it’s the one that moves things forward the most.
“Multitasking Makes You More Efficient”
Despite overwhelming evidence that multitasking is terrible for productivity, people still do it. Jumping between tasks feels like progress, but it’s actually a concentration killer.
Constant task-switching reduces efficiency and increases mistakes.
You never get fully engaged in deep work.
It takes time to refocus after switching, meaning you’re actually working slower, not faster.
Instead, try these:
Single-task as much as possible. Focus on one thing at a time, and you’ll get it done faster.
Eliminate distractions. Put your phone in another room, close extra browser tabs, and use “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone.
Use “batching” for small tasks. Instead of checking emails every 10 minutes, handle them in one focused session.
“Hustle Harder” (More Hours = More Productivity)
The idea that working more hours equals better results is one of the most damaging myths out there. Sure, there are times when you need to put in extra effort, but constantly grinding leads to burnout, not success.
Productivity isn’t about how many hours you work—it’s about how effective those hours are.
Overworking leads to diminishing returns. After a certain point, you’re just exhausted and making mistakes.
Burnout destroys creativity, problem-solving ability, and motivation.
Instead:
Focus on output, not hours. Measure productivity by what you accomplish, not how long you sit at your desk.
Take real breaks. Your brain needs downtime to stay sharp. Step away from the screen, go outside, or do something unrelated to work.
Set boundaries. Stop working late into the night unless absolutely necessary. A fresh mind gets more done in less time.
The Real Secret to Productivity
The truth is, there’s no magic formula. The best productivity system is the one that fits your life, energy levels, and priorities. Instead of blindly following clichés, experiment and find what actually works for you.
Listen to your body’s natural rhythms. Work when you’re naturally most focused.
Prioritise tasks based on impact, not just difficulty.
Take proper breaks and don’t glorify overwork.
Minimise distractions and single-task as much as possible.
Measure success by what you achieve, not how many hours you grind.
So next time you see another “Wake up at 4 AM and meditate for two hours” productivity hack, take it with a grain of salt. Real productivity is about working smarter, not just harder. Now, go out there and actually get stuff done—without the guilt, exhaustion, or unnecessary early mornings.