The Simple Habit That’s Helping Me Get Unstuck (and Actually Finish Things)

I don’t know about you, but some days it feels like my brain has 57 tabs open and none of them are loading properly.

I’ll sit down at my desk with every intention to “finally get stuff done,” only to spend half an hour toggling between emails, unfinished to-dos, and a mild existential crisis. Productivity feels like a distant dream, and even the smallest tasks somehow start to feel huge.

But recently, I’ve found something that’s been surprisingly effective in cutting through that fog. It’s not a fancy app or an expensive planner—it’s something called a 30-Minute Productivity Sprint, and it’s made a noticeable difference in how I work.

The beauty of a time limit

I find getting started is usually the hardest part. Once I’m in motion, things tend to flow. But getting there? That’s where I stall.

The Productivity Sprint solves this in a really simple way: you set a timer for 25 minutes, pick one task—just one—and work on it with full focus until the timer dings. Then, you take a short break, reflect on what you did, and decide what’s next.

That’s it. No pressure to finish everything. Just focused effort in a short burst.

And it’s working.

Why I think this works (especially on messy days)

There’s something powerful about giving yourself permission to only focus on one thing. It removes the background noise of everything else on your plate and lets your brain breathe. That kind of simplicity is underrated.

Plus, 25 minutes is short enough that you don’t need to feel ready or motivated—you just need to begin. It’s a built-in structure that makes starting feel manageable.

I’ve used these sprints to clear my inbox, chip away at writing projects, plan my week, and even make progress on things I’d been avoiding for weeks. It’s amazing how quickly momentum builds once you take the first step.

A gentle approach to getting things done

What I love most is that this isn’t about hustle. It’s not another productivity system trying to make you squeeze more into your day. It’s about creating a bit of focused breathing room—especially when life feels scattered.

The guide I’ve been using breaks it down step-by-step and even includes a printable worksheet (if, like me, you enjoy ticking boxes and scribbling notes). It helps me stay on track without overthinking the process.

If you’re curious or just looking for a way to ease back into focus, I really recommend giving it a go. You don’t need to overhaul your whole routine—just set a timer, pick a task, and see what happens.

You might be surprised how much you can do in 30 focused minutes.

If you’d like to try it, you can grab the free worksheet I’ve been using right here.