How Using This Time Management Solution Transformed My Productivity
Try it and enjoy its benefits
Do you struggle with time management?
You know exactly what you need to do, but a few minutes later,
You get distracted by the ping of a notification and lose your focus.
You get enticed to scroll on social media and get stuck in a rabbit hole of endless scrolling.
At the end of the day, you can only count a handful of items you crossed off from your to-do list.
I faced similar problems.
However, I found a revolutionary approach that made me abandon what I knew about time management.
Here’s how.
A day in the life
For a remote worker, time management is everything because you have to know what deadlines are due and when the next meeting is scheduled and manage these tasks with flair.
I used the Todoist app to manage my tasks in different sections of the day. Doing this is important so that when I fail to achieve the goal for any section, I can pick up in the next one.
For example, I was scheduled to write a proposal in the morning. However, somehow, it didn’t work. No problem, pick it up in the afternoon.
On a typical weekday, these were the items I scheduled in my to-do list.
My mornings were ‘deep focus tasks,’ afternoons less demanding work, and evenings admin stuff.
However, using this method was inefficient for two reasons.
No accountability
A to-do list doesn’t have time or priority associated with it. If the client meeting were to take more time, it would affect the writing of the report within the morning timeline.
2. Zero distraction intervention
If there was a strong urge to check my X (Twitter) feed, Todoist remained silent.
I couldn’t get an alert or nudge to get back to work.
My promise of only spending five minutes scrolling turned into 45 minutes.
The outcome?
I had more tasks pending by the end of the day than those I completed.
I felt powerless.
I wanted a way out.
A new solution that works
I came across Rize app that caught my attention due to its ingenuity.
Imagine you had a co-pilot always accompanying you to work. Seated next to you, they would track everything you did.
When you wrote a report, they would track this and tell you how many hours you spent doing it.
When you did research, they noted this and tracked the hours.
If you tried to scroll on social media, they would hit your head. “You are being distracted, Michael!” and you would get back to your goal.
This is what Rize does, only as an app.
It quietly tracks your tasks and helps you visualize how well you are spending time.
It shows you your productivity spirals and highlights when you went off-track.
What better way to audit your time than to see an honest report at the end of the day telling you that you love to attend meetings and go for breaks!
This is how I used Rize to transform my productivity.
#1 A simple, intuitive setup
Getting started was straightforward, and the onboarding was also smooth.
The app is available on their website here.
Get the most appropriate version for your device.
#2 I set intentions for my focus period
Instead of only listing tasks, I scheduled dedicated and deep focus periods where I committed to completing a specific task.
You can select:
A meeting.
Focus period.
Break.
#3 I set time for the focus period
I scheduled 45 minutes of focused work with a 10-minute break afterwards.
Doing this helps the brain refresh and focus on the task.
#4 I designed my ideal work environment
I love working in silence, with the noise of my keystrokes reverberating in the room.
However, you might be a different kettle of fish and prefer some jazz lounge music, space ambience, or coffee shop sounds.
Rize gives you the option to choose between silence, Jazz lounge music, space ambience, coffee shop noises, and relaxing rain among others.
Design your environment thoughtfully.
#5 I immersed myself in the work
Armed with my digital co-pilot, I got to work writing an article.
I continued working until my timer completed.
#6 The Aha! moment
Halfway through my session, my old habit resurfaced. I decided to scroll on X to see what the world was up to.
Before I could scroll further, Rize was there, rising to the occasion and telling me that I was being distracted.
I loved this.
It was accountability in reality. The nudge got me to focus back on my work.
#7 Facing the truth
I enjoyed this feature the most.
At the end of the day, Rize gave me an honest audit report for my workday.
My focused time.
My meetings.
My breaks.
My distractions (😬)
I learned that sometimes, I get distracted browsing, viewing social media, and seeking entertainment.
“I think I need to work on my willpower to reduce my need for entertainment” was the thought that crossed my mind.
With my to-do list, I could have never quite achieved this.
However, with Rize, I now understand my weaknesses, strengths, and how to improve.
I would love for you to experience this transformational way of working to transform your productivity.
I got an amazing deal for you. Get started for one month free here.
If you prefer to get the paid plan like myself, use the coupon FRANK to get 25% off.
It is one of a kind and truly works!
As I work on tasks in my 9–5 daily job or remote work using Rize, I also need a tool that can help me capture all ideas and select the best I need to work on.
Fabric is the tool that does this for me.
I simply drop my files with numerous ideas, and it does the rest for me.
For example, I get documents from different meetings.
The tool helps me get points and brainstorm on what to do with these points.
Get started with Fabric here.
That's it for now.
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As always, fresh ideas are welcome. Please feel free to send in your feedback, thoughts, questions, and suggestions—I read them all!
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Catch you again soon.
Have a great day :)
I have found it isn’t the apps that make you do but your energy at times if the day and the little rituals you put in place. They help you get things done.
This was such a helpful and relatable read—thank you for walking us through your real-world experience! I love how you highlighted the difference between having a list and actually creating structure with accountability. The insight about distractions slipping in silently when there’s no system to catch them really resonated. Rize sounds like a powerful tool for building awareness and staying intentional. I especially appreciated your reminder that it’s not just about getting more done—it’s about learning where your time really goes. Looking forward to trying this out!