30 Tech Hacks for Productivity

I used to let my phone run my life.

It was a constant source of distraction a portal to endless scrolling and a black hole for my time and energy. I’ve been there stuck in a cycle of gaming binge eating and pure laziness. My tech was my enabler. It made it easy to escape reality and avoid the hard work of changing my life. But the same technology that once trapped me became one of the greatest tools in my transformation. It helped me build new habits lose over 110 pounds and create a productive life I never thought possible.

You don’t have to throw your phone in a river to be productive. You just need to learn how to make it work for you not against you. Here are 30 simple tech hacks that helped me take back control and can do the same for you.

Tame Your Digital Leash (The Smartphone)

Your phone is likely your biggest time-waster. Let’s fix that first. These small changes have a massive impact.

1. Turn Off Non-Essential Notifications. You don’t need an alert for every single like comment or news update. Keep notifications for calls texts and calendar events only.
2. Go Grayscale. This is a powerful trick. A black-and-white screen is boring. It removes the dopamine hit from colorful icons and makes you less likely to scroll endlessly.
3. Clean Your Home Screen. Move all distracting apps (social media news games) into a folder on your second or third screen. Your home screen should only have tools not toys.
4. Delete Social Media Apps. If you need to check social media use the web browser on your phone. The extra steps will make you less likely to do it mindlessly.
5. Set App Timers. Most phones have built-in features to limit your time on certain apps. Set a 15-minute daily limit for Instagram or TikTok and stick to it.
6. Use "Do Not Disturb" Mode. Schedule it to turn on automatically at night and during your most productive work hours. Protect your focus.
7. Create a “Dumb” Phone Experience. Set up a Focus Mode on your phone that only allows access to essential apps like your phone calendar and maps. Activate it when you need to concentrate.

Master Your Digital Workspace (The Computer)

Your computer should be a place for creation not consumption. A few tweaks can make it a productivity powerhouse.

8. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts. Master the basics like copy paste undo and switching between apps. It saves seconds that add up to hours.
9. Declutter Your Desktop. A messy desktop is a messy mind. Keep it clean with only a few essential files or folders.
10. Use a Website Blocker. Install an extension like Freedom or Cold Turkey to block distracting websites during your work sessions. Be ruthless.
11. Organize Your Files. Create a simple logical folder system for your documents. A good structure is something like: Work > Projects > [Project Name].
12. Manage Your Browser Tabs. Use a tab manager extension or make it a rule to never have more than five tabs open at once.
13. Unsubscribe from Junk Email. Use a service like Unroll.Me or just take ten minutes to manually unsubscribe from marketing emails.
14. Check Email Intentionally. Don’t keep your email open all day. Set specific times to check it like once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
15. Use a Simple To-Do List App. Don’t overcomplicate it. Something like Google Tasks or Microsoft To Do is perfect for tracking your daily priorities.
16. Embrace a Second Monitor. If you can get one a second screen is a huge productivity booster for anyone who works with multiple windows.

Protect Your Deep Work

This was a game-changer for me. I rebuilt my life on short 2–4 hour bursts of intense focused work. It proved I didn't need to grind all day to make real progress. Technology can help protect that sacred time.

17. Work in Sprints. Set a timer for 45-60 minutes and work without any interruptions. Then take a 10-15 minute break away from your screen.
18. Invest in Noise-Canceling Headphones. They are a universal sign for “do not disturb” and help you block out distractions to get in the zone.
19. Use Distraction-Free Writing Tools. Apps like Calmly Writer or even just a plain text editor remove all the clutter so you can just focus on the words.
20. Put Your Phone in Another Room. When you need to do deep work this is the simplest and most effective trick. Out of sight out of mind.
21. Listen to Focus Music. Find a playlist of instrumental music classical music or ambient sounds that helps you concentrate.
22. Automate What You Can. Set up automatic bill payments email filters and recurring calendar events. Every small task you automate frees up mental energy.

Build Smarter Habits

Finally it’s not just about the apps you use but the habits you build around your technology.

23. Plan Your Day the Night Before. Use your calendar or to-do list app to outline your top 3 priorities for the next day. Wake up with a plan.
24. Create Tech-Free Zones. Make the dinner table and your bedroom phone-free zones. It helps you be present with family and improves your sleep.
25. Have a Digital Sunset. Stop using screens at least an hour before bed. The blue light messes with your sleep. Read a physical book instead.
26. Use Tech for Good. Listen to educational podcasts or audiobooks during your commute or while doing chores. Turn downtime into learning time.
27. Track Your Progress. Use a simple spreadsheet or a habit-tracking app to see how you're doing. Seeing your progress is a huge motivator.
28. Celebrate Small Wins. When you finish a big task on your to-do list physically check it off. It’s a small but satisfying reward.
29. Schedule Breaks. Put breaks in your calendar just like you would a meeting. Your brain needs time to rest and recharge.
30. Use It for Connection. Instead of just scrolling call or video chat with a friend or family member. Use technology to deepen relationships not replace them.

Taking back control of your time and attention is a journey. For me it was part of a much bigger change—learning to live with purpose and discipline. Reclaiming my time from mindless tech use gave me more time for prayer for reading and for building a closer relationship with God. It gave me the space to figure out what truly matters.

You don’t have to do all 30 things at once. That’s overwhelming.

So I’ll leave you with this question: What is one small change you can make today to put your tech back in its place?